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| Major General Henry Ware Lawton. |
Cortland Evening Standard, Tuesday, April 11, 1899.
SANTA CRUZ IS OURS.
American Troops Capture Another Rebel City.
BATTLE WAS FIERCELY FOUGHT.
The Rebels Finally Fled to the Mountains Leaving Nearly a Hundred Dead on the Field and Many Wounded. American Loss Quite Small. Details of the Battle.
MANILA, April 11.—Santa Cruz was the Filipinos' stronghold on Lake Laguna de Bay and it fell into the hands of General Lawton's expedition after some sharp, quick fighting, forming one of the most interesting and important battles of the war.
The plans of the American commanders worked perfectly with the exception that the progress of the expedition was delayed by the difficult navigation of the river. About 1,500 picked men composed the expedition, which was under the personal command of General Lawton on account of the illness of General King. These troops partly surrounded the city while the gunboats Laguna de Bay, Napidan and Ceste, under the command of Captain Grant of the Utah battery, shelled the city and outlying trenches.
General Lawton and his staff accompanied the troops, sometimes leading charges in Indian fighting tactics, which eventually resulted in the complete rout of the rebels, with the smallest amount of damage to the city and slight loss to the Americans.
The expedition started from San Pedro Macati at dusk on Saturday, intending to capture Santa Cruz by assault at daybreak, but in navigating the shallow, tortuous Pasig river, perhaps through the cunning of the native pilots who were not anxious to see the Americans successful, several boats grounded and it was nearly dawn when the troops reached the lake. The expedition then steamed cautiously forward, the Napidan and the Cesta a mile ahead and the Laguna de Bay guarding the rear. Rebel signal fires, however, were lighted on the mountain top giving warning of the approach of the troops.
It was noon before the white church towers of the city appeared in the shadow of the great volcanic mountain on a marshy plain dotted with occasional palm groves.
A casco—a square ended flat bottomed boat—with a force of 200 picked sharpshooters, under Major Weisenberger, mostly belonging to the First Washington regiment, was run into a shallow inlet about five miles south of the city.
Then a few shells were sent towards the entrenchments of the rebels at the edge of the woods, sending the enemy scampering inland. Then a number of Americans jumped into the water and wading for about 100 yards, crept forward and formed in line, covering the landing of the remainder, which finished about 5 o'clock.
The three troops of the Fourth cavalry, unmounted, were sent ashore on a dangerous marshy point, directly south of the city under fire from the enemy's trenches.
Meanwhile in the town itself there was utter silence and not a sign of life. General Lawton, desiring to make an inspection, and to give the inhabitants an opportunity to surrender, went on board the Laguna de Bay, which steamed slowly to the dock, the whole fleet watching anxiously. When it was discovered by the glasses that the trenches and stone buildings were swarming with white clad soldiers, the two boats withdrew, receiving volleys from the trenches thrown up on the marshy plain north of the city.
The flotilla anchored in compact formation for the night, ready to resist any surprises from the rebel gunboats supposed to be in the lake. At sunrise the assault commenced. The American line south of the city stretched two miles inland, and with its left sweeping the shore, it moved north while the Fourth cavalrymen on the point advanced toward the city pouring volleys upon the trenches.
Simultaneously the gunboats hovered along the shore, shelling the woods ahead of the troops and driving the Filipinos inland. The Gatlings cleared several trenches.
The whole brigade was divided into squads of 12 and the fighting was carried on in the old time frontier fashion, from behind trees, crawling through bushes, or rushing across the open. The trenches that were not cleared by the gunboats gave considerable resistance when the lines [were] nearing the city and the Laguna de Bay and Ceste bombarded them for an hour in the hope of making them too warm for occupancy, but did not succeed in clearing them entirely.
General Lawton with the Fourteenth infantry battalion, approached a narrow iron bridge across a creek on the south border of the town. Here a company of Filipinos was entrenched across the stream and behind a stone barricade at the entrance to the bridge. The Americans rushed forward in single file, in the face of a galling fire, demolished the barricade with their hands and drove the enemy from the trenches, killing a dozen.
The Filipino soldiers in the town, secreted in various buildings and firing from the windows, gave the invaders an interesting hour. There was a regular nest of them in the stone jail, which is hedged in by a wall. This was a veritable pepper pot.
The Americans, singly or in pairs, entered the houses and many native warriors were taken prisoners.
A considerable body of Filipinos fled northward, crossing the open marshes, but the Gatlings poured upon them a deadly hail until they disappeared in the woods, a dozen being slain.
Major Weisenberger deployed the sharpshooters along the shore and they crept steadily forward, aiding the Gatlings. Finally a large body was sent against the enemy in the woods, driving them toward the mountains.
General Lawton established headquarters at the elegant palace of the governor and a guard was immediately placed in the church, as the sacred edifices are always the first objective of looters. Within an hour the town was patrolled and all looting rigidly prevented.
Almost all the inhabitants had fled during the two preceding nights and only a few Chinese shopkeepers have emerged from hiding and resumed business.
On the marshes north of the town were found 40 dead Filipinos, some terribly torn by shells and many wounded to whom the Americans offered them their canteens as though they were comrades. A surgeon who traversed the field counted 80 killed.
One Filipino attempting to make his escape, slashed viciously at Major Weisenberger, who shot and killed him.
The insurgents captured two men of the Fourteenth infantry while unarmed on Sunday, but the Americans stole the guns of their captors, clubbed them, hid in the trees over night and returned in the morning.
The gunboats have been searching the Santa Cruz river for shipping. The expedition will push forward, the Americans having destroyed miles of telegraph lines, cutting off insurgent communication east and west.
Favors the Proposed Railroad.
ALBANY, April 11.—The state fisheries, game and forest commission has authorized Colonel Fox, state superintendent of forests to appear before the state board of railroad commissioners in favor of the application to construct a line of railroad from Clearwater to Racquet lake. The commission does this because of a reservation in the deed given to the state of land in this section that a public highway should be constructed across it.
PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.
The New Discovery in the Air.
It is doubtful if the ordinary lay reader who does not peruse the scientific journals and reviews has the faintest conception of what now promises to be the most startling and brilliant achievement of this or any other century. The chances are that if you were to ask such a man what the most revolutionary discovery of the century was he would instantly think of electricity, the telephone and the electric motor. He might even go back to the application of steam or instance the spectroscope and anaesthetics.
But he would not touch the one discovery which promises more than all these to completely revolutionize the whole world of mechanical device and open new and unsuspected domains for conquering science. The most startling discovery of our age in its measureless possibilities is that by which Mr. Charles E. Tripler has succeeded in reducing common air to a liquid under a temperature of 312 degrees below zero. Once that this prodigious feat was accomplished, the discoverer seems to have been able to do pretty much as he pleased with the result. He not only ran an engine with it, discarding the use of coal and steam entirely, but he made the new power thus gained go on converting air into liquid. He now calmly predicts that long before another century has rolled round our trains and our ocean greyhounds will be traveling at an increased speed without drawing any assistance from coal, steam or electricity. They will, in short, draw their motor out of the atmosphere as they go along, very much as our locomotive now takes up its water.
Nor is this half as incredible in view of what Mr. Tripler has already done, as would have been the proposition 60 years ago to run a car with a wire or talk across 50 miles of distance. Not the least startling of the possibilities brought to view in this discovery is the new chance it gives to aerial navigation. Hitherto the great obstacle to aeronautics has been the weight of the engine and the coal, but now the flying machine can coal up at every cloud and take on supplies from every rainbow.
◘ Rudyard Kipling has sent a letter of thanks to mankind generally for its sympathy and kindness during his illness. This is unique. How many men have lived who thought the world was deserving of thanks? It ought to be remembered, however, that never before was a man so close abreast of his fellows and so connected by invisible wires with all that is. A man cannot now be good or great or able without touching the circumference of the planet. Rudyard Kipling is himself one of the most striking examples of the new universal fraternity of man. It may be truly said of him that the world is his oyster.
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| Main Street, Cortland, N. Y. |
CLEANING PAVEMENTS.
IMPORTANT QUESTION CONFRONTING VILLAGE TRUSTEES.
Some Plans Discussed at Monday Night's Meeting— Traction Company Directors Did Not Put in an Appearance—All Walks on Main-st. Must be Raised to Grade of the New Pavement.
The expected conference between the board of village trustees and the board of directors of the Cortland & Homer Traction Co., last night did not materialize owing to the failure of C. D. Simpson of Scranton, Pa., one of the principal owners in the company, to arrive home from his trip to Mexico. It was stated that he was on his way home and could reach Cortland by Thursday or Friday of this week, when the village board will be called together in special session for the purpose of the conference.
The board last night transacted very little actual business, but informally talked over several matters of considerable importance. C. T. Peck and F. E. Park, residents of Greenbush-st., complained of water standing in the gutters of that street to a depth of a foot or more. Mr. Peck stated that unless the board took some steps toward remedying the matter, he should appeal to the board of health. The question was referred to Trustee Wood.
New crosswalks were proposed on Tompkins-st., at Water and Sands-sts., on North Main-st. between the Mahan corner and the Copeland corner, across East Main-st., where it intersects with North Main-st., across Clinton-ave. opposite the premises at 111, and on Reynolds-ave. These matters were referred to the trustees of the respective wards in which the proposed crosswalks are located.
It was the unanimous opinion to the board that all sidewalks on Main-st. should be ordered raised to conform with the grade of the new pavement at once, and the board will meet to-night to pass the legal resolution requiring such work to be done, the names of the property owners who have not yet done so to be secured to-day.
The board met at 7 o'clock this morning at the south end of Main-st. to look at the grade and ascertain what valid claims, if any, property owners can have for damages. The claim of Viola Basford for $2,500 presented a week ago was referred to Kellogg & Van Hoesen, village attorneys.
The proposed resolutions revoking the franchise of the Cortland & Homer Traction Co. published in last Tuesday's STANDARD were not acted upon, pending the result of the proposed conference over the lighting question.
The petition for the acceptance of a proposed street, heretofore known as Willow-ave. was laid on the table until May 1, it not being definitely known that every property owner had signed the petition.
Trustee Thompson of the special committee on the telephone in Fireman's hall reported that he had had an interview with the manager of the telephone company who would not agree to put in a free telephone, but would put in a long distance instrument at the same rate as an ordinary phone, $30 per year. The proposition was accepted.
The electric light bill for the month of March, $387.50 was audited and ordered paid.
The application of Frank Brady for appointment as janitor at Fireman's hall and superintendent of the fire alarm system was read and filed.
The matter of keeping the pavement clean was then considered informally and several plans were spoken of. Trustee White spoke of flushing the pavements at night and gathering up in wagons the refuse left in the gutters. Trustee Thompson said that he had talked with Superintendent Taylor of the Water Works Co. about this very question, and he had said that the water hydrants were too far apart to accomplish this to advantage. Mr. Thompson had talked with Geo. C. Warren of the Warren-Scharf Asphalt Paving Co., who said that the best way to clean the pavement was to sprinkle with a very fine spray and then follow with brooms and scrapers. The Ellis Omnibus & Cab Co. has a sprinkler that can be purchased at $300, and which would answer this purpose admirably.
The following from the Binghamton Leader of a few days ago will be of interest in this connection:
G. C. Warren of the Warren-Scharf Asphalt Paving company of Utica, N. Y., was in the city yesterday making arrangements for repairs to the Court-st. pavement. In answer to an inquiry by a Herald reporter as to why the Court-st. pavement gave out after five years' service, the exact time for which it was guaranteed, he said: "The Court-st. pavement has been unsatisfactory simply because it has not been taken care of properly. Water has been slopped upon it each summer so frequently that its durability was affected. Had the pavement been sprinkled properly no trouble would have been experienced. If this is not so, why is it that the Court-st. bridge pavement, laid by us only six months later, which has carried the same traffic as Court-st., but which has been cleaned in a manner stipulated by us when making the contract, has not required any repairs and is now in perfect condition?"
"But the merchants do not have the street sprinkled for fun," the reporter remarked, "the streets were covered with dust and the action taken by them was necessary to prevent the ruination of their goods. The sprinkling cost considerable money and if it could be avoided, the merchants would gladly save the expense."
"The best thing the city can do," said Mr. Warren, "is to purchase a mechanical pavement cleaner such as is being used in Cincinnati. With this apparatus the fine dust from the pavement instead of being brushed up into a box, is drawn up and deposited in a box on the wagon by a suction. The apparatus is not so very expensive and would well pay the city. If this city puts down any more brick pavement it will make a great mistake."
One of the village officials has received the following letter from W. Paul Mosher, secretary of the board of street commissioners at Binghamton, which was read last night:
I am in receipt of your favor of the 6th inst., relative to the care of asphalt pavements. In reply would say that we allow as little sprinkling upon the asphalt pavements in this city as possible, as it is not only detrimental to the longevity of the pavement, but is dangerous to public traffic. It makes uncertain footing for horses, and is especially hazardous to bicyclists. Where traffic is heavy, a wet pavement acts on the same principle as pouring water on a grindstone. It wears itself out with its own grit when the wheels of vehicles come in contact with it. In order to allay the finer dust that accumulates upon this class of pavement, we have allowed sprinkling in the business portion of the city, as the merchants complain very bitterly when the wind blows strong. The street sprinklers are required to equip their carts with machinery that gives just a fine spray, and make frequent trips instead of flooding, and that holds the dust, but does not reach the pavement proper.
In regard to cleaning, we use nothing but the broom and scraper, and do not use horse sweepers except on the brick pavements. We are using what we call the block system, that is, each pavement man is given a territory as large as in our opinion he can take care of. He is on duty from 7 in the morning until 6 at night and receives $1.50 per day. He scrapes the accumulations into piles along the gutters, and this is taken up by wagons that make regular trips, except in a few cases in residence portions, where traffic is light, the men are equipped with wheelbarrows and dispose of the refuse at some nearby dumping ground. In the summer the pavements are flushed at night by gangs of men with fire hose, and this greatly helps out the matter of fine dust that brooms or anything else will not take up. The scrapers referred to are made of iron with wooden handles, and are made by Shapley & Wells of this city. They are indispensable, as they remove accumulations that brooms will not touch."
RUNAWAY IN HOMER.
Mrs. Bowker and Baby Thrown Out but Uninjured.
Mrs. Charles Bowker and baby who reside on west hill were driving up Main-st. at about 3 o'clock this afternoon, when the horse became frightened at something and started on a dead run. It kept in the road until in front of A. H. Watkins' store when it started for the sidewalk. The wagon when on the crosswalk nearly upset, but righted itself again and the horse started for the sidewalk, striking a stone hitchingpost in front of the residence of Mrs. Seward. The wagon turned a complete somersault, throwing Mrs. Bowker and child to the ground. After the horse had freed itself it ran to James-st., where it was caught. Mrs. Bowker walked into the house of Mrs. Seward, apparently not injured in the least but somewhat scared. Neither of them were hurt seriously. The wagon and harness were a complete wreck.
Cutting Ten-inch Ice in April.
Last week while a STANDARD man was on a business trip at Taylor Centre and vicinity, he was informed that a fine quality of ice as clear as a crystal 10 and 12 inches in thickness could be had at present for the cutting on Solon pond which is an unusual fact for this late season of the year. The snow banks are fence high and the people are enjoying pretty fair sleighing. The writer was also informed that the McDonough and Cincinnatus ponds are covered with a first-class quality of ice from 12 to 15 inches in thickness.
Watering Troughs Frozen Up.
It is a noticeable and unusual fact this spring that along the highways through some sections of the county, the public watering troughs are frozen up solid, with only a very few exceptions. This is owing to the continued intensely severe cold weather during the past winter. Many of them were never before known to have frozen up entirely.
A Small Amount of Maple Sugar.
People who own large sap bushes up the Otselic valley, some of which are the best in the state, claim that they have had the poorest flow of sap this spring of any for many years. They say this is owing to peculiar weather conditions, protracted cold weather and extremely late spring. A STANDARD man was informed last week by a number of the largest maple syrup and sugar producers in the eastern part of the county that the yield this season will hardly average a half crop. And many of the best and most productive sugar orchards which do not happen to have a southern exposure have not been tapped at all this spring on account of the deep snow which at present lies on the ground in some localities, compelling the proprietors to abandon the work entirely.
A HOTEL CHANGE.
A. K. Bennett of Taylor Now in Charge of the Cincinnatus Hotel.
A. K. Bennett of Taylor has recently purchased the Cincinnatus hotel of Mrs. Perry, widow of the late proprietor J. Q. Perry. The purchase was made through the real estate agency of Davis, Jenkins & Hakes of Cortland. Mr. Bennett takes possession on Tuesday of this week and will refurnish and refinish the hotel throughout. In connection with his hotel he will run a first-class livery.
Mr. Bennett has for a number of years been the proprietor of a general merchandise store in Taylor. He is well known and popular and will draw largely from his old friends; and as he is also genial and friendly, courteous and painstaking, he will please the travelers who may as yet be strangers to him.
Mr. Todd, formerly of Cortland but more recently of North Pitcher, has been employed to close out his former business in Taylor.
BREVITIES.
—Baldwin's spot cash grocery store has been connected with the telephone exchange.
—The Wide Awake Literary club will meet at the home of Mrs. Medes, 41 Fitz-ave., this evening.
—Cortland chapter, No. 194, R. A. M. meets to-morrow night at 8 o'clock. The M. M. degree will be conferred.
—An adjourned meeting of the directors of the Y. M. C. A. will occur at the association parlors this evening at 7:30 o'clock.
—The Cortland Howe Ventilating Stove Co. began running its nickel plant yesterday, and is now ready to meet all demands upon it.
—"Pudd'nhead Wilson" which scored such a success in Cortland last season will be the attraction at the Opera House Wednesday evening, April 26.
—The first of the series of dancing parties to be given by Dillon Bros. will be given to-night to the regular Tuesday night class, and the first of the Rob Roy series will be given to-morrow night in Empire hall.
—New display advertisements to-day are—Baker & Angell, Jenness Miller shoes, page 7; Opera House, "Corner Grocery," page 5; Toncy's Mariposa coffee, page 5; Brogden, Brogden's Celery Bitters, page 7; McGraw & Osgood, Shoes, page 5; M. A. Case, Drygoods, page 6; Paddock & Daniels, Undertakers, page 8; Godfrey's English band at Ithaca, page 5.
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