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| Admiral George Dewey. |
Cortland Evening Standard, Saturday, September 23, 1899.
HOME FOR OUR ADMIRAL.
Last Appeal Made In Behalf of Admiral Dewey.
MORE MONEY FOE HIS HOME.
Subscription List Will Be Closed Before the Admiral Reaches New York. Further Arrangements Made For His Reception—Vermont's Welcome.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 23.—A meeting of the Dewey national home fund committee was held at the office of the secretary of the treasury. An account of stock was taken and plans perfected for closing the subscriptions before the arrival in New York of Admiral Dewey. The committee, composed of Assistant Secretary of the Treasury Vanderlip, Assistant Postmaster General Heath, Assistant Secretary of the Navy Allen, Adjutant General Corbin and United States Treasurer Ellis H. Roberts were all present. At the conclusion of the meeting the committee gave out the following for publication:
"The Dewey national home fund committee have received contributions from about 30,000 citizens, representing every state and territory in the Union. These aggregate $27,065. The fund should be increased to at least $50,000, to enable the committee to purchase a home at the capital of the nation which will be a credit to the givers and a pride to the hero of Manila bay. Admiral Dewey has indicated to the committee a desire to make Washington his permanent home. Here, as the ranking officer of the United States navy, he will spend the remainder of his life. The admiral has indicated his grateful appreciation of the intention of the American people to present him a home and he will accept with the spirit in which it will be given.
"The committee must close the subscriptions before the end of next week before the arrival of Admiral Dewey, and will be pleased to receive and acknowledge by the issuance of a souvenir receipt and contributions. A home will be purchased with whatever funds the committee may have at the end of next week. The time is now so short that the committee suggests those who desire to make an immediate success of the work by making liberal contributions to indicate their wishes by telegraph to Hon. Ellis H. Roberts, United States treasurer, Washington, who is treasurer of the fund, and to remit by first mail."
VERMONT'S WELCOME.
A Dewey Parade in Montpelier to Take Place Oct. 12.
MONTPELIER, Vt., Sept. 23.—Extensive preparations are being made by the people of Vermont to welcome Admiral Dewey upon his return to the state. It is now expected that the parade in his honor will occur Oct. 12 here. It is planned to make the affair strictly a Vermont welcome, and in consequence many offers of foreign organizations to parade on that day have been refused.
The National Guard of the state has recently been reorganized and will be called into camp at Montpelier at the time of the reception and parade.
The marshal of the parade, Colonel George W. Hooker of Brattleboro, has chosen his staff from the prominent men of the state.
PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.
A Gift for Dewey.
Among the gifts to be presented to Admiral Dewey when he reaches New York is a mammoth scrapbook. Its 400 pages are 22 by 26 inches in size and including the covers, the book is 11 1/2 inches thick. The weight of the volume is 350 pounds. The binding is of cardboard one-half an inch thick, which is covered by the largest single hide of seal that ever came into this country. The corners are bound in silver, and a silver nameplate is on the cover. The book contains 10,200 clippings selected by Frank A. Burrelle, an expert in such work. They begin with the sinking of the Maine, and the whole detailed history of the war, as told in the newspapers of the country, as given in the succeeding clippings. The cost of the book is $2,500. On the title page is the following inscription, prepared by Rev. Allen D. Brown, president of Norwich university at Northfield, Vt., an old friend of Admiral Dewey: "Presented to Admiral Dewey by the representatives of the shipping interests of the port of New York as a token of their personal regard and a slight appreciation of the great service rendered our common country, not only in the glorious action of May 1, 1898, in Manila bay, but by his wise and prudent administration of affairs during most trying circumstances preceding the surrender of the city of Manila, Aug. 13, 1898."
ON BOARD THE OREGON.
Morgan McAllister Gives an Account of Doings Near Manila.
The following are extracts from letters recently received from Morgan McAllister, formerly of Cortland, now on board the U. S. S. Oregon, by his sister, Mrs. B. H. Lyon, of South Cortland:
LINGAYEN GULF, P. I., June 22, '99.
DEAR SISTER—The 11th of June, the U. S. S. Oregon, (I am back on the Oregon now) was ordered to Lingayen gulf, which is 165 or 170 knots from Manila bay. The morning of the 10th was the scene of a great battle somewhere between Manila and Cavite. The battle lasted until the 13th, so I hear from others that were there, for we only saw it nicely under way when we left the bay. Their plan of attack was, for our soldiers to drive the insurgents from the trenches and then charge on them until they drove them on the beach; then our ships would get in their work, which they did. They opened up with their batteries and would deliver broadside after broadside; then the native troops would retreat, only to meet their most dreaded foe, our brave troops, who would charge them again and drive them again into what was sure death to many of their numbers.
The ships engaged in battle that day when we left were: U. S. gunboat Helena. U. S. gunboat Princeton, U. S. monitor Monterey, U. S. monitor Monadnock, and two prizes captured from Spain which are now the U. S. gunboats Callao and Manila and one other gunboat, either the Wheeling or Bennington, I know not which.
It is said that the insurgents were so numerous that they made a charge on the Wyoming and California batteries which were stationed on the causeway leading to Sanrookey and Cavite. They came in such large numbers that they drove the men from their guns and then turned our own guns on the Manila and shot away her pilot house and some parts of her stern, and would have done more damage, but for the brave Pennsylvania volunteers who just then came to their rescue and drove the insurgents back into the bush again.
Well we met the U. S. gunboat Concord on June 11th, and her officer reported that he was out looking for the U. S. gunboat Paragua. She had been sent from Manila several days before our leave taking, to report to the Concord for duty, and had not shown up yet, so they had given her up as lost or captured.
When we left Manila we were given orders to relieve the Concord for ten days, to allow her to proceed to Hong Kong for repairs and give the crew liberty and then to return. We dropped our mudhook in one end of the bay and put in our first night, and on the 12th they sent a small detachment ashore to put a couple of targets for practice with small arms. Well they run up the recall [pennant] and we had to come on board at once, for while we were engaged in putting up targets the quarter-master had sighted a sloop at the entrance of the channel, and Captain Wield gave orders to coal and water the first steam cutter and send six armed marines and cutter's crew to overhaul and capture the sloop. The steam cutter left the gang-way at 6:30 A. M. When she had been gone three hours, we thought she might have gotten into trouble, so we weighed anchor and got under way, keeping a look out for her in the meantime. We again dropped anchor about 8 knots from the mouth of the bay and awaited her return. In the meantime we sighted another small sail in the bay and sent second steam cutter out to see what she was at. About that time we saw our first steam cutter returning under full head of steam. She came along somewhat ahead of second steam cutter, which had the sailboat in tow and they both brought news of the supposed lost gunboat Paragua. The first cutter had seen her and the second had picked up her commanding officer in the dinghy. (A ships' small boat.) The officer said by way of an explanation: "I left my ship at 2 A. M. this morning with four seamen and sailed around the coral reef and into the gulf in search of the gunboat Concord, (the ship, which I am supposed to report to for duty.) My ship is aground amid-ship. She draws 6 feet forward; 6 1/2 feet aft, and only 8 feet amid-ship. So she is hard on and high stuck fast on the coral reef out there behind the island. I had to leave in the night to avoid being shot or captured. When we got aground, the natives opened up on us with five rifles and a field piece of some sort. But they are poor shots and cannot even hit the gunboat."
Our first steam cutter did not succeed in getting the sloop, but she saw the gun boat Paragua, but could not reach her on account of the coral reef. This part of the islands have not yet been surveyed and the old Spanish charts are not correct in a single respect, as we had an awful time in finding the channel. In the afternoon we started with the two steam cutters and two sailing launches in tow. We ran aground forty or fifty times and it got dark and commenced to rain. This is the rainy season here now, and it was the 13th, our most unlucky day. We had to give it up for that day, and it was 8:35 P. M. when we got back to the Oregon and we were nearly drowned, so heavy was the fall of rain. The 14th we started and made a complete round of the island and finally found the channel. At 11 A. M. we were along side the gunboat. Well, now we just opened up with 6-pounder on the natives, then with a 1-pounder and then confined our fire to small arms only. In ten minutes not a native could be seen in any direction. When it grew near night we gave them what stores and water we had on board the launches and cutters and returned to the Oregon. We left six or eight marines and eleven or twelve blue jackets on the gunboat besides her own crew, of course. She had twenty-three of her own men and one officer, Mr. Davison, an ensign or a middy.
I was one of the marines that came back and I am glad I did for the ones that stayed were all sun-burned and had to live on hardtack and water, and to wash in salt water. You don't know what that means. It is on the bum is all I can say. You would as soon wash in syrup or grease. One takes off the dirt as well as the other. If you get salt water on your shoes they turn white, and will not take a shine. It also rots a pair of shoes in two weeks and even in one if you get it on them a great deal.
Well, we had the steam cutters running between the Oregon and the gunboat from the 12th until the 20th when they finally got her off the reef and the 21st she came out through the old Spanish channel and came alongside us. We coaled and watered her and now she is ready for duty in earnest, and lies astern of us, only waiting for some kind of a prize to show her top sails on the horizon, so she can get her twin-screws in motion again.
The natives down here are a nearly savage people. They go naked commonly, and we could see a great many of them run at the sight of a white man, when we steamed through the channel where it was very narrow. Their houses are built up off the ground and are all bamboo, except a few palm leaves, which they use for roof and window blinds. They use no glass in their houses except [in] towns where some mixed with Spanish do sometimes use wood, tin, stone and glass also.
Well, sister, I hear that our soldiers killed so many insurgents the 11th that they had to dig ditches to bury them in, as the trenches were all filled with dead bodies, and lots not yet found. They had better dig a hole and bury themselves than try to fight Americans for they always get the worst of it. Savage fools!
I cannot tell when we will leave this place or when I will be able to mail this letter to you. I suppose we go from here to Hong Kong and from there to 'Frisco shortly. I hope so at least. The dispatch boat Zafiro from Hong Kong to Manila stopped in here June 19. She had Admiral Watson on board. He is to take charge of the Asiatic squadron.
Well, I must close now for they have just piped all marines who have not drawn small stores to lay aft on starboard side of gundeck. ''I must go," says the master-at-arms.
LINGAYEN GULF, June 27, 1899.
We are still in Lingayen gulf. Sunday, June 26, about 12 o'clock, there was a filibuster sighted in the bay and as the gunboat Paragua was out on scout duty we could not chase her on account of shallow water; so we waited until this morning and she came right alongside us and when asked where she was from she said she came from Hong Kong and was on her way to Manila. She did not intend to stop in here, but had run short of coal and thought she would come in here and get enough to run to Manila. The captain asked the man in charge what they were going there for, and he said the army had bought her and he was hired to bring her down to Manila. But his story did not go with Captain Wield, so the U. S. S. Princeton escorted her to Manila to make sure she should not get away to do any more filibustering at present.
The U. S. S. Pampanga came in this morning, June 27, with a two-masted schooner in tow. It was a native ship and was carrying supplies to the insurgents. The Pampanga crew jumped in and threw the cargo overboard and made a search. Then our captain gave orders to turn her loose and if caught again in that business she would be blown to pieces and her crew made prisoners of war. The cargo was of rice and rice straw. They were allowed four bags of rice to live on until they reached wherever they wished to go. They made for the shore right off. I guess this will be a lesson to a few of them, that it does not pay to smuggle where our ships are on the alert to stop the conveyance of food by water.
Yesterday at 3 o'clock the Pampanga chased another small sloop and she ran into a cove where she could not be followed by a boat of any size; so she fired a few well directed shot from a six-pounder into her that did her up, so she will be a little the worse for wear and not very seaworthy for the future, even if they do patch her up a bit.
We are looking and longing for the U. S. S. Concord to return from China and give us a chance to go and have a few days on land. I hope you have received all my curios, all which l will explain at another time. I must close now. Goodbye.
From your loving brother,
MORGAN MCALLISTER, U. S. M. C., U. S. S. Oregon, Manila, P. I.
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| S. N. Holden. |
They Are Prize Winners.
[Cortland] Village President Holden's spanking pair of Chestnuts are certainly prize winners. They took first premium at the Cortland county fair, and at the Dryden fair came away with the $80 buggy offered as a special premium by R. F. Chappius of Dryden. Millard Parker was the driver.
Death of Thomas Park.
Thomas Park, a farmer residing on South hill, Cortland, died at 2:30 o'clock this morning of heart trouble and dropsy. He was 59 years, and 3 months of age. The funeral will be held at 12 o'clock Tuesday and burial will be made in Cortland Rural cemetery.
Died of Typhoid Fever.
Fred L. Montague, aged 39 years, died at his home on Elm-st. last evening of typhoid fever. Funeral services will be held from the home of his brother, J. W. Montague, 54 Pomeroy-st., at 4 o'clock to-morrow afternoon and the remains will be taken on the 9:20 A. M. train Monday to Baldwinsville for interment. Mrs. Montague died about three years ago, and since that time Mr. Montague has lived alone with his family of three children, the oldest of whom is a daughter 12 years of age, and all of whom receive the sympathy of the community.
Change in Management.
G. W. Webster & Son of Marathon have purchased the steam mill on Port Watson-st. and take possession Jan. 1. They will run the mill in connection with their Marathon mill, They are practical millers, proficient in their business and will undoubtedly conduct a first-class mill.
Attention, Sir Knights.
Sir Knights [Templar] of Cortland Commandery, No. 50 are requested to appear Monday evening at 6:45 sharp at the asylum in fatigue uniform. The Cortland City band will accompany the Sir Knights on a short march for the purpose of advertising the excursion to Syracuse Tuesday, Sept. 26. By Order, ALDEN M. JEWETT, E. C.
BREVITIES.
—The Cortland Savings bank has been connected with the telephone exchange
—The announcement for the several churches will be found on our eighth page to-day.
—The choir of Grace church is requested to take notice that the rehearsal is unavoidably omitted this week.
—The Ithaca High school football eleven arrived in town this morning and is playing the Normal team on Athletic field.
—To-morrow is rally day in several of the Sunday-schools and a specially large attendance is anticipated and requested.
—The first Normal school social of the term occurs this evening. The young ladies of the Clionian society have the social in charge.
—A large chorus choir of mixed voices under the direction of Mr. M. R. Faville will to-morrow evening begin leading the singing at the Presbyterian church.
—The weather forecast to-day warns every one to look out for frosts to-night which will be heavy in the interior of the state. That last part probably includes Cortland.
—Rev. John T. Stone, pastor of the Presbyterian church, and Rev. W. J. Howell, pastor of the First Baptist church, exchange pulpits to-morrow morning.
—Work on the Port Watson-st. pavement is to be resumed on Monday, the binder course being first laid. The concrete is being cleaned up to-day in anticipation for that work.
—The Republican judicial convention of this district assembles at Hotel Bennett in Binghamton next Monday flight at 7:30 o'clock. The delegate from Cortland county is Nathan L. Miller.
—Nearly all the big fairs in this vicinity have been held for this season. There remains only the Summerhill fair on Sept. 27 and 28. which promises to be very successful and far more extensive than would be expected from the size of the place.
—Archie D. Baum, the 3 years and 6 months old son of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene M. Baum of 13 Cleveland-st., died at 11 o'clock last evening. Funeral services will be held from the house Monday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock and burial will be made at McGraw.
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