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| General Calixto Garcia, Cuban patriot. |
Cortland Evening Standard, Monday, December 12, 1898.
GENERAL GARCIA DEAD.
Sudden Demise of the Cuban Warrior and Leader.
WAS SICK LESS THAN ONE WEEK.
Coming From a Warm Climate Into the Cold Atmosphere of New York and Washington Resulted In Pneumonia and Its Fatal Ending. Biography of His Life.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 12.—General Calixto Garcia, the distinguished Cuban warrior and leader, and the head of the commission elected by the Cuban assembly to visit this country, died here at the Hotel Raleigh where the commission has its headquarters. The sudden change from the warm climate of Cuba, with the hardships he had there endured, to the wintry weather of New York and Washington, is responsible for the pneumonia which resulted in his demise. He contracted a slight cold in New York which did not assume an alarming stage until the early part of last week. On Tuesday night General Garcia, in company with the other members of the commission, attended a dinner given in his honor by General Miles and it was a result of the exposure that night which culminated in his death.
During the 12 hours or more preceding dissolution General Garcia was unconscious most of the time. At intervals he recognized one or more of those about him. In his dying moments, as all through his busy and active life, his thoughts were for his beloved country and its people and among his last words were irrational mutterings in which he gave orders to his son, who is on his staff, for the battle which he supposed was to occur tomorrow and in which he understood there were only 400 Spaniards to combat. Just before he died, he embraced his son.
Rev. Father Magee of St. Patrick's church was called in during the day and was with General Garcia until the end, administering the last rites of the Catholic church. Other members of the commission and Mr. Rubens, their counsel in this country, [were] also in the bed chamber when the end came.
The remains were immediately prepared for burial and were placed on a bier in the room in which he died. A large Cuban flag served as a covering and the head rested on one of smaller dimensions. The face and bust were left exposed to public view. The features had a remarkably lifelike appearance and gave no indication of the sufferings which the deceased had borne. Just above the head rested a magnificent floral piece of red and white roses and cross palms tied with a pure white ribbon.
By direction of General Miles a detachment of soldiers from Company E, Sixth artillery, at the barracks here under command of Lieutenant Cox, was detailed as a body guard for the remains.
After General Garcia's death steps were taken to notify the government officials here and also the executive committee of the Cuban assembly, which has its headquarters at Marianao, Cuba, Secretary Jose Villalon of the commission sent a telegram of notification to Mendez Capote, the president of the Cuban assembly, who is now in Havana.
As soon as the death became known a number of visitors, including many public men, came to the hotel to express their condolences. President McKinley manifested his sympathy by sending a suitably worded letter, and Vice President Hobart sent his card. Among those who called were Senators Money, Proctor and Chandler and Major Generals Lawton and Wheeler.
General Garcia left a large family, only one of whom, Justo, a captain on his staff, was with him when he died. His widow and Mercedes, a daughter, 17 years old, are at Thomasville, Ga., where the girl is quite ill; Mario, a son, 19 years old, is with the mother at Thomasville, and Colonel Garcia, another son, is in Cuba. A daughter, Leonora, who married an American, is now living in Paris. General Garcia's mother is still alive and resides in Havana.
General Garcia, whose name will be ever linked with those of other patriots who have fought against unequal odds for the freedom of his country, has had a most active and varied life, much of which has been spent in fighting for the cause of Cuban liberty, which he had the satisfaction of seeing accomplished so short a time before his death. He was a man of culture and refinement, of splendid education and came from a distinguished family of Jiquani, Santiago de Cuba province. He was born in Cogquin, Oct. 14, 1839, and was therefore in the 60th year of his age.
General Garcia was educated in Havana and in Spain. In 1864 he was married to Isabel Velez. General Garcia was the original conspirator in the uprising of the Cubans against Spain in 1868 and in that war under Gomez he attained the rank of a brigadier general. In October of 1866 he captured the towns of Jiquani and Baire and recruited many hundreds of patriots. He had command of the eastern department during that revolution after 1873, and won many notable victories including those at Melones and Aures. While the revolution was in a critical state in other provinces and its outcome was uncertain, he maintained it with vigor in the territory under his command.
In 1875, while reconnoitering with his escort, he was surrounded by 2,000 Spaniards. Preferring death to capture and subsequent execution at the hands of his enemy he attempted suicide by placing his revolver under his chin and firing. The bullet came out between his eyebrows. For months he lay between life and death, but was saved finally by Spanish surgeons who possibly had owed their own lives to his mercy.
The Spaniards believed he was about to die, [and] gave him a pardon. The hole which the bullet made, when it entered the chin and came out between the eyebrows, was always visible and shows plainly in the calmness of death. For his participation in the revolutionary movement General Garcia was sent to Spain where for four years he was confined in castles and fortresses, remaining there until the peace of Zanjon. He then returned to the United States, and together with Jose Marti attempted another revolution. He landed in Cuba with a few followers, but the country was tired of war and wanted to try the home rule offered by Spain. He capitulated to the Spanish forces in order to save his few remaining followers, and was again banished to Spain in 1880, where he remained under surveillance until 1895, when the last revolution broke out in Cuba. Then he escaped to France and later to New York. His movements since that time and his active participation in the war are familiar to newspaper readers.
After coming to this country he endeavored to get an expedition into the island of Cuba in the steamer Hawkins but this met with shipwreck in a storm and the cargo was lost. General Garcia was the last man to leave the vessel. Undaunted by his failures General Garcia made another attempt to ship stores for the insurgents, this time obtaining the ship Bermuda. He was intercepted, however, by United States authorities and was arrested, on the charge of filibustering but was released on $3,000 ball. He forfeited this bail and in a final attempt landed on the eastern coast of the island with one of the largest expeditions that ever reached Cuba. After landing he succeeded General Antonio Maceo in command of the troops of the eastern department, holding the rank of major general, General Maceo marching west with his men.
At Maceo's death, Garcia was elected lieutenant general of the Cuban army, which position he held to the close of the war. During this command he assaulted and took by siege Tunas, Guisa and Guaimaro and cleared the interior of his department of Spanish troops.
After the declaring of war between the United States and Spain, General Miles, commanding the American army, sent his representative to General Garcia and subsequently the American and Cuban generals co-operated in their movements against Santiago. All the officers who participated in the active work around Santiago bear testimony to the great aid, assistance and loyalty manifested by General Garcia during the campaign. When the Cuban assembly met at the close of the war, General Garcia was one of the principal advisers and was elected chairman of the commission, which decided to come to the United States and confer with the authorities here with reference to the work in hand.
The funeral arrangements have not been made.
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| General Maximo Gomez. |
PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.
Death of General Garcia.
The death of General Calixto Garcia leaves General Gomez about the last survivor of the military men who were prominent in the struggle of the Cubans for independence. Coming from a tropical country, he was unable to stand even the mild winter climate of Washington, and succumbed to pneumonia.
General Garcia's mission to Washington was to confer with President McKinley as to the best policy to be pursued in the future government of Cuba. During the insurrection the general made with considerable success in the eastern portion of Cuba, and at the time the war with the United States began he had generally forced the Spaniards into the fortified towns. Although much has been said in criticism of Cuban soldiers, it is now conceded that they rendered some valuable service to the Americans at Santiago. For instance, there is little doubt that Garcia prevented the Spaniards from sending a large reinforcement to the place.
After the fall of the city General Garcia was somewhat put out because his soldiers were not allowed to appear with arms at the formal surrender, and he left in a huff for the interior. This little show of pettishness, however, did not detract from his good record as a soldier and patriot, and his death at this time will be a distinct loss to the cause of Cuban autonomy.
HOSPITAL DAY.
How the Parents Responded Through Their Children.
Friday was hospital [donation] day at the several schools in Cortland and a considerable response was made by the parents through their children. The result was as follows:
NORMAL SCHOOL.
Apples, one-half bushel; pumpkins, one; squash, one; cabbages, two; turnips, one-half pk.; bread, one loaf; cereals, seven pks.; sweet corn, two cans; Lima beans, two cans; baking powder, one can; onions, two qts.; potatoes, one-half bushel; beets, three; laundry soap, thirty-three bars; toilet soap, three bars; [soaplue], one box; currants, one lb.; matches, one box; popcorn, two lbs.; sheets, one; old muslin, one roll; pickles, four cans; canned fruit, six cans; Chili sauce, two cans; jelly, one can; intermediate department, 60 cents; Elizabeth Albright Tompkins, 60 cents.
CENTRAL SCHOOL.
Mrs. Perry's room, $1.21; primary, $1.46; Miss Cleary's room, 85 cents; potatoes, one peek; H. O. and breakfast-food, seven boxes; squashes, 2; oatflake, five pounds; onions, one half peck; mince meat, one package, starch, two packages; currants, two pounds; raisins, one lb.; cocoa, one box; tomatoes, three cans; corn, two cans; cabbage, one can; can fruit, five cans; jelly, four cans; salve, four boxes; old linen; sugar, ten lbs.; soap, twenty-six cakes; six boxes toilet.
OWEGO-ST. SCHOOL.
Money, 21 cents; turnips, two; onions, two quarts; crackers, one pound; potatoes, one-half peck; cornstarch, two pkgs.; hasty jelly, one package; quince jelly, one can; toilet soap, one cake; laundry soap, twenty cakes; cabbage, three; tar soap, three cakes; pumpkin, one; apples, one-half peck; eggs, one dozen.
SCHERMERHORN-ST. SCHOOL.
Sheets, two; cornstarch, two lbs.; cabbage, four; onions, one and one-half pk.; squash, 8; soap, twelve cakes; one toilet; turnip and beets; fruit, six cans; jelly; breakfast food, one pkg.; potatoes, one and one-half bushel.
POMEROY-ST. SCHOOL.
Money, $1; squash, five; soap, twenty cakes; popcorn, one qt.; toilet soap, one box; codfish, one box; jelly, two glasses; honey, one lb.; pickles, three qts.; cans fruit, seven; one cabbage.
Death of Mrs. Flanders.
Mrs. Simeon Flanders died yesterday at her home, four miles west of Cortland, aged 70 years. The funeral occurs Wednesday at 10 A.M. Burial in Cortland Rural cemetery.
LeRoy W. Graham Dead.
Mr. LeRoy W. Graham died at 6:45 o'clock last night from typhoid fever at the home of his sister, Mrs. K. L. Chatterton, 25 Maple-ave. His illness had been of three weeks' duration.
Mr. Graham was 25 years and 11 days of age, and was a young man much respected and admired by all who knew him as a person of the highest character. In January, 1893, he graduated from the Cortland Normal school, and at the opening of the next college year, entered the mechanical engineering department of Cornell university from which he graduated in June, 1897. He then secured a situation in the Lehigh Valley car shops at Sayre, Pa., where he was employed up to the time that he began to feel so ill that he started for home. He took to his bed two days after reaching here.
Mr. Graham was the vice-president of the Railroad branch of the Young Men's Christian association of Sayre.
His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Graham, survive him, and he is also survived, aside from his sister Mrs. Chatterton, by one brother, Mr. A. W. Graham, of Cortland.
The funeral will be held at 25 Maple-ave., Thursday at 2 P. M., and from the Congregational church at 2:30. Burial will be made in the Cortland Rural cemetery.
Administrator's Sale.
The undersigned will sell at auction on the farm of Benjamin Welch, deceased, on the McGrawville road, on Thursday, Dec. 15, 1898, commencing at 10 o'clock A. M., two cows, one fresh, two calves, one span bay horses, one bay mare 5 years old, one dapple gray mare, thirty-one grade Shropshire sheep, thirty ewes, twenty-five lambs, seventy full blood rose comb White Leghorn fowls, one platform wagon with pole and thills, one top buggy, one open buggy, one top cutter, one square box cutter, one swell box cutter, one one-horse wagon, two two-horse wagons, one plow, one spring tooth harrow, one pair bobs, one bob sled, one horserake, one drop reaper, three mowing machines, two horsehoes, one heavy double harness, one dog power, log and trace chains, other things too numerous to mention.
Terms: A credit of six months will be given for all sums over $10 on approved, endorsed, interest-bearing notes, payable at the Cortland Savings bank, Cortland, N. Y. Sums under $10, cash down. Property to be settled for before being removed from premises. Twenty-three fine, well selected dairy cows from Ohio will also be offered for sale by Mr. H. C. Sessions.
S. E. WELCH, Administrator.
A. B. Gardner, Auctioneer.
BREVITIES.
—The Epworth league of the First M. E. church will hold its annual election of officers to-night.
—The regular meeting of the University Center occurs at the Normal building this evening at 8 o'clock.
—The regular monthly meeting of the directors of the Y. M. C. A. will be held at the Y. M. C. A. parlor this evening at 7 o'clock.
—The regular monthly tea of the Christian work committee of the Y. M. C. A. will be served in the rooms of the Women's Auxiliary at 6 o'clock this evening.
—The annual election of officers of the Epworth league of the First M. E. church will occur at the regular monthly business meeting of the society this evening at 7:30. Let every Epworthian be present.
—College women and others will be interested in the address, which is published on our third page, given Saturday evening by Hon. Chauncey M. Depew at a meeting of the College Women's club of New York City.
—The board of supervisors which met again to-day after the recess to complete the final business of the session has accepted the invitation of Dr. Cheney to make a visit to the Normal school to-morrow morning at chapel exercises.
—New display advertisements to-day are—Springfield Republican, page 4; Bingham Bros. & Miller, Clothing, page 7; Warren, Tanner & Co., Christmas presents, page 6; Mrs. J. T. Davern, Christmas handkerchiefs, page 6; Smith & Beaudry, Holiday opening, page 6.
ALMOST A CENTENARIAN.
Mrs. Eliza Devoe Hurlbut is in Good Health and Sound of Mind.
Mrs. Eliza Devoe Hurlbut who resides with her son Charles T. Hurlbut in the town of Homer informed a STANDARD man last week that she was almost a centenarian, being 92 years of age. She was born July 23, 1807, at Hackensack, N. J., having early moved to Homer and practically being a life long resident of Cortland county. Mrs. Hurlbut is a well preserved lady and retains full possession of all her faculties and is possessed of a wonderful memory, relating interesting incidents that occurred way back in the time of the war of 1812.
She joined the Congregational church at Homer in 1820 and has been a devoted member for seventy-eight years. Her father, Captain John Devoe, and grandfather on her mother's side, Captain Godwin, were both soldiers under General George Washington during the Revolutionary war, having enlisted as privates, and she has many stories to tell of the war that were related to her by these two officers. Near the close of the war Captain Devoe was engaged in a skirmish and was almost completely riddled with bullets. He was taken prisoner by the British and was finally exchanged, recovered his health and was afterwards mustered out of the colonial service and honorably discharged. As a pension Captain Devoe received a grant of 100 acres of land from the government, situated in the town of Homer on the Scott road where the family still resides.
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