Cortland Evening Standard, Monday, June 20, 1898.
BATTERIES DESTROYED.
Result of the Bombardments at Santiago Harbor.
HOBSON MAY BE DEAD.
Spanish Flag Over Morro Castle Floating at Half-Mast.
KINGSTON, Jamaica, June 20.—A careful inspection of the fortifications along the crest of the hills defending Santiago harbor since the bombardment Thursday morning shows that the American gunners spread wreck and ruin everywhere. Some of the batteries were demolished beyond repair. The vultures which circled on level wings over the hills as thick as swallows around a chimney, for hours after the firing ceased, furnished gruesome evidence of the fatality among the Spanish soldiers. Hundreds of troops could be seen from the ships digging in mounds of earth piled up by the explosion of the projectiles from the heavy guns for bodies, while their heads were fanned by the wings of the black scavengers of the battlefield. There were two spots, one on the east and the other on the west of the harbor, which were denuded of foliage. The hilltops seem literally blown away. These marked the places where the 200 pound charges of guncotton [dynamite] blown by the Vesuvius landed.
But the most ominous tokens of death flew from Morro castle. The saffron flag of Spain was half-masted for several hours. The significance of this is not known. It is not customary to half-mast flags, but possibly some Spanish leader was killed by the heavy fire of our guns, though some officers of the squadron believe that the flag was half-masted as a notification to the Americans that Lieutenant Hobson and his brave men were dead. If such is the case they must have been wantonly murdered. The Spanish might seek to lay their death to the bombardment, but not a shot from the American ships struck the fortress.
Neither Admiral Sampson nor Commodore Schley believes that Lieutenant Hobson and his party have been killed. We have 17 prisoners taken at Guantanamo, including a lieutenant, besides a number in the United States for reprisals or exchange.
There was evident demoralization among the Spanish troops during the bombardment. Officers could be seen with drawn swords driving the men to the guns, but even then they could not be forced to stay so long as our guns were directed at them. The 15 minutes night work of the Vesuvius had shattered their nerves.
It is believed by some that the 13-inch projectile fired from the Texas, which was reported to have exploded the powder magazine in one of the western batteries, did not fall in the battery, but went beyond and blew up one of the ships in the harbor.
A dramatic incident of the bombardment was the act of a Spanish officer who bravely ran along the parapet under a heavy fire, encouraging his men to stand by their guns. Shot and shell rained about him and after one terrific explosion he was seen no more and the parapet had disappeared. He could not have escaped death.
From the foretop of the Brooklyn 200 yards distant the men in the foreground could be noticed, but a minute later dust and flying debris would take their place and when the smoke would clear away, only a spot of red earth could be seen. Guns and gunners had been swept away.
It was the most deadly and destructive bombardment of the war thus far. Scarcely a shot from the big guns of the squadron went astray. The aim of our gunners was superb and not only were the coast forts annihilated, but the batteries on Cayo Smith, up the harbor, were destroyed. Had all the ships used smokeless powder, as did the New Orleans, there would remain no signs of guns or fortifications to indicate that there had ever been any defenses there.
There were no casualties in the fleet, although the ships held a fixed position, as if inviting the Spaniards to fire upon them. The half-stripped ship's gunners never worked with more enthusiasm. The words of Rear Admiral Sampson were:
"First silence the batteries on the shore and then continue firing until the fortifications are reduced."
This order was strictly obeyed. It was the first time that such instructions had been given and the men responded with a will. In 38 minutes, the order was given to cease firing and the message went to each ship from the admiral: "Well done," and officers and men turned in for breakfast.
Every detail of the engagement was executed to the letter, the opening of fire by the New York to the last shot from the Iowa. The Spaniards were evidently surprised while strengthening their fortifications.
The first shot of the New York landed full and fair on the top of the hills to the east, where the gunners were already at work erecting new pieces. The earth seemed to rise in a cloud, and when the 12-inch shells of the Iowa and the 13-inch beauties of the Oregon landed squarely and fairly, a great cheer went up from the ships. The western squadron got into line and began firing before the eastern one and the effect of the shots could be plainly seen. The Spanish gunners at the batteries could be noted and a quick fire was returned, but only for a brief time did they withstand the terrific assault of the fleet.
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| Philippine Freedom Fighters. |
MANILA AT THEIR MERCY.
Insurgents Have the City Almost Surrounded but Awaiting the Americans.
LONDON, June 20.—The Hong Kong correspondent of The Daily Mail says:
"A conspicuous object in Manila bay is the nucleus of an insurgent fleet. It consists of a vessel of 100 tons burden, presented to Aguinaldo by a rich native. The vessel flies the flag of the Philippine republic—three triangles of red, white and blue, on a white ground, or a ground formed of the old rebel flag of the sun rising above the hills.
"The native proclamation will be signed on Monday.
"Manila is completely surrounded by the insurgents of whom there are three forces deployed about the city, one posted to the south, between Malate and the river Pasig; another occupying a position to the east and cutting off communication with the lake or Laguna de Bay; and the third operating on the north side, stopping all railway communication between Manila and the rich towns to which the line runs.
"General Aguinaldo has captured 8,000 Spanish troops, including 900 regulars. Among the latter are 11 officers of and above the rank of lieutenant colonel, including two brigadier generals, and he has taken 79 officers below the rank of lieutenant colonel. In addition his forces have captured five prominent priests, heads of important parishes in provinces recently overrun by the insurgents. These men the insurgents hate even more than they hate the Spaniards, and the rebels chuckle with joy when they point them out in their prisons."
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| William McKinley. |
MAD AT M'KINLEY.
Spain Will Likely Refuse to Exchange Prisoners Hereafter.
MADRID, June 20.—The statement that President McKinley has sent to Admiral Cervera and General Pando messages saying that he would hold them personally responsible for the lives of Lieutenant Hobson and his men, has produced a disagreeable impression here in military circles, as showing that President McKinley distrusts the military honor of the Spaniards, who on their part despise all threats. Such messages, it is declared, render the future exchange of the prisoners most unlikely.
The Spanish press declares that the statements that the bodies of American marines, killed at Guantanamo, were mutilated by the Spanish troops and similar sentiments regarding the loss of the Maine are made up with the object of inflaming the American populace.
TROOPS ARRIVE.
Marines Reinforced—Attack on Santiago Before End of Week.
NEW YORK, June 20—A dispatch to the Journal from Mole St. Nicholas says: General Shafter's army of 15,700 men, on forty transports, has arrived off Santiago and Guantanamo. The landing of the troops will probably be accomplished to-day.
The first step was to reinforce the marines at Camp McCalla. This has probably already been done and there are now enough troops there to make the camp secure against any kind of attack. There will be no concerted move on the city of Santiago itself until late this week.
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| Capt. Gen. Ramon Blanco. |
NO FLAG OF TRUCE.
Blanco Says He Will Fire on a White Flag Hereafter.
KEY WEST, June 20.—It is learned from naval officers here that Captain General Blanco has notified the American blockading fleet that hereafter he will recognize no flag of truce, adding that every vessel within the range of six miles will be fired upon whether flying the Stars and Stripes or a white flag. A government vessel reports that Morro Castle keeps firing heavy shells at the blockading squadron. On Friday a 12-inch shell exploded dangerously close to an American warship.
MARATHON'S SENSATION
Appears to be a Case of Wholesale Forgery by a Deceased Lady.
Marathon, N. Y., is having a genuine sensation and can hardly bring itself to believe the facts which have come to light during the past fortnight in such a way as to leave small ground for doubt of the guilt of one who had been held in the highest esteem by every resident of the place.
Mrs. Martha Copeland died on May 30, [1898]. She had been a prominent member of and one of the most efficient and energetic workers in the Presbyterian church of that place. She had for years been identified in all good works in the village. The whole population turned out to attend the funeral which was held in the church and to thus express their regard for her.
Within a week after the funeral a number of persons exhibited and some presented for payment notes for various amounts given by Mrs. Copeland for borrowed money which purported to bear the endorsement of well-known residents of Marathon. These parties were absolutely astounded at the sight of these notes and pronounce them forgeries. Some of the alleged endorsers declare that they never endorsed a note in their lives for any one.
The people from whom Mrs. Copeland borrowed the money report that she said to each of them that she did not owe any one else any money at all, and she only wanted this for a little time and would consider it an especial and personal favor if they would not mention the loan to any one. The way in which they all heeded her request and kept the fact of the loan to themselves is indeed a wonder, for there appeared to be no suspicion of her borrowing till they came to compare notes after her death. In some cases she simply gave her own note and in other cases the note bore the endorsement of others, which endorsement is now declared to be fraudulent and forged. People looking back over the transaction now remember different incidents of which they thought nothing at the time showing the care which Mrs. Copeland took to keep the loaners and the alleged endorsers apart, so that they might not have an opportunity of speaking to each other on general principles, and incidentally mentioning the loans and the notes, and thus bringing out the fraud.
The sums borrowed, for which notes were given, some of which bear the alleged endorsements, and some of which do not, amount into the thousands already and more cases are coming to light each day. What she did with the money is also a mystery. She lived plainly and spent money sparingly except for her benefactions, in which she was considered very generous but which, however, would probably not account for all the money which she secured.
Many of the people thus deprived of their hard saved earnings are poor and can ill afford to bear the loss entailed. Some of them at first were inclined to believe the endorsements genuine and declared they would bring actions in the courts to collect the notes, but as evidence of fraud piled up they were nearly all forced to the conclusion that the endorsements were fraudulent and it is now considered unlikely that any actions will be brought.
Mrs. Copeland's own estate is said to be small, probably not over $2,000, and this will pay only a small percentage of the value of the loans.
Further investigation of the matter is in progress as well as an investigation of Mrs. Copeland's past history, and when this is concluded it is possible that there may be more light on the subject.
STRUCK BY LIGHTNING.
Queer Pranks of the Electric Fluid at the [Cortland] Home of Benjamin Smith.
Lightning cut some queer pranks at the home of Benjamin Smith on Prospect-st. during the shower early Sunday morning. A flash was very sharp and roused Mr. and Mrs. Smith, but they never thought their house was struck. They looked out, however, to see if the house of their son, H. L. Smith, close adjoining, was struck but it seemed to be all right. Mr. and Mrs. H. L. Smith were both roused, but found that no harm had been done to their house.
Sunday morning Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Smith found the wall paper torn from their parlor walls in spots, and the picture molding blackened and streaked. Out in the kitchen a pipe which led from a pump to a cistern outside the house was burst and would not draw water. A water pipe conductor from the eaves was burst in two places, and in one the solder was entirely melted off. It was all the work of lightning, but where the bolt entered the house, or where it went to or how it went from one room to the other is a mystery.
Wilson R. Calvert.
Mr. Wilson R. Calvert of South Cortland, who suffered a shock of paralysis on Wednesday, June 8, passed away Sunday morning, June 19, at 9 o'clock. His age was 77 years, 10 months and 3 days.
Mr. Calvert was one of the thirteen children of Mr. and Mrs. John Calvert, and was born in South Cortland only a short distance from the present homestead. All of his life he has lived within 1 1/2 miles of that place. On Feb. 17, 1847, he was married to Miss Betsey Wilcox who survives him. Their golden wedding was celebrated most joyously last year. Six children were born to them, of whom only one grew to womanhood— Mrs. George H. Hyde who with her husband has made her home with Mr. and Mrs. Calvert for years, Mr. Hyde carrying on the home farm.
Mr. Calvert was a member of the Presbyterian church of Cortland and a man of kindly disposition and positive convictions. He has for years been prominent in the local grange and was considered a very energetic and progressive farmer. In politics he was always a staunch Republican.
The funeral will be held at the family home Tuesday at 2 o'clock, and burial will follow in the Cortland Rural cemetery.
BREVITIES.
—The regular meeting of Grover post, No. 98, G. A. R., will be held to-night at 8 o'clock.
—The regular meeting of Grover Relief corps, No. 96, will occur to-morrow, June 21, at 2:30 sharp.
—New display advertisements to-day are—A. S. Burgess, Shoes, page 7; Palmer & Co., Bicycles, page 4.
—Cortland Y. M. C. A. defeated the Ithaca Y. M. C. A. at baseball on Wait's field at Ithaca Saturday morning. Score 15 to 10.
—Miss Halbert's June recital will be held at her studio to-morrow evening at 8 o'clock. This will be the closing recital for the year.
—C. W. Ryan's grocery, F. A. Blair's residence and J. W. Montague's livery stable have been connected with the telephone exchange.
—Lincoln lodge, I. O. G. T„ will hold a social at the home of Miss Coral French on Groton-ave. Wednesday evening. All are invited to attend.
—The tenth annual meeting of the New York State Music Teachers' association will be held in Binghamton on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, June 28, 29 and 30.
—A supper party was planned for the park Saturday night. Owing to the heavy shower the plans were changed and the refreshments were served at the home of one of the ladies. The news of the change of plan failed to reach all the party and three hungry young men arrived at the park only to find no ladies of their party there and no supper. Their feelings can be better imagined than described. At last accounts "the voice" which issued the original invitations and which was entrusted with the matter of notifying regarding the change was trying to make peace with them.
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