Cortland Evening Standard, Wednesday, December 20, 1899.
INTREPID LAWTON.
Killed On the Firing Line By Sharpshooters.
SCORNED TO TAKE COVER.
Untimely Death of a Brave and Gallant Soldier.
MANILA, Dec. 20.—General Lawton left here Monday night, having returned from his northern operations Saturday to lead an expedition through Mariquina valley, which has been an insurgent stronghold throughout the war. The valley has several times been invaded, but never held by the Americans. General Geronimo was supposed to have there the largest organized force north of Manila, and General Otis wished to garrison Mariquina.
The night was one of the worst of the season. A terrific rain had begun and is still continuing.
Accompanied by his staff and Troop I, Fourth cavalry, General Lawton set out at 9 o'clock in advance of the main force, consisting of the Eleventh cavalry and one battalion each of the Twentieth and Twenty-seventh infantry, which started from La Loma at midnight.
With a small escort he led the way through an almost pathless country, a distance of 15 miles over hills and through canebrake and deep mud, the horses climbing the rocks and sliding down the hills. Before daybreak the command reached the head of the valley.
San Mateo was attacked at 8 o'clock and a three hours' fight ensued. This resulted in but few casualties on the American side, apart from the death of General Lawton, but the attack was difficult because of the natural defenses of the town.
General Lawton was walking along the firing line, within 300 yards of a small sharpshooters' trench, conspicuous in the big, white helmet he always wore and a light yellow raincoat. He was also easily distinguishable because of his commanding stature.
The sharpshooters directed several close shots which clipped the grass near. His staff officers called General Lawton's attention to the danger he was in, but he only laughed with his usual contempt for bullets.
Suddenly he exclaimed: "I am shot!" clenched his hands in a desperate attempt to stand erect and felt into the arms of a staff officer.
Orderlies rushed across the field for the surgeons, who dashed up immediately, but their efforts were useless. The body was taken to a clump of bushes and laid upon a stretcher, the familiar white helmet covering the face of the dead general.
Almost at this moment the cheers of the American troops rushing into San Mateo were mingling with the rifle volleys. After the fight six stalwart cavalrymen forded the river to the town, carrying the litter on their shoulders, the staff proceeding with the colors, and a cavalry escort following.
The troops filed bareheaded through the building where the body lay, and many a tear fell from the eyes of men who had long followed the intrepid Lawton. The entire command was stricken with grief, as though each man had suffered a personal loss.
Owing to the condition of the country, which is impassable as far as vehicles are concerned, the remains could not be brought to Manila at present.
Mrs. Lawton and the children are living in a government residence formerly occupied by a Spanish general.
San Mateo lies between a high mountain behind and a broad shallow stream in front, with wide sand bars, which the insurgents' trenches and the buildings commanded. The Americans were compelled to ford the river under fire. It was while they were lying in the rice fields and volleying across, preparatory to passing the stream that General Lawton was shot. All except the officers were behind cover.
PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.
Gen. Henry W. Lawton.
The death of General Henry W. Lawton will cause the American people profound sorrow. While a soldier in time of war is always face to face with death, that this brave and efficient officer, after risking his life in many an engagement, should have fallen just as the insurrection in Luzon was being brought to an end, will be particularly regrettable. General Lawton was sent with some cavalry and battalions from the Twentieth and Twenty-seventh infantry to capture San Mateo, 15 miles northeast of Manila, where 300 insurgents under Geronimo had entrenched themselves. While standing in front of his troops with his usual fearlessness, during the engagement which took place with the insurgents, the general, it is said, was shot in the breast and died immediately.
General Lawton was born in Toledo, Ohio in 1843. At the breaking out of the civil war he enlisted in the union army and went to the front as sergeant of Company E, Ninth Indiana volunteers. In July, 1861, because of meritorious service, he was promoted first lieutenant in the Thirtieth Indiana, and became a captain in May, 1862. While his regiment was in front of Augusta, Ga., on Aug. 3, 1864, Captain Lawton led a charge against the enemy's rifle pits, carrying them, and successfully resisting two determined attempts to retake them from him. For his gallantry he received a medal of honor, and in November, 1864, he was promoted lieutenant colonel. In March, 1865, he was breveted colonel for service during the war. He was mustered out on Nov. 25, 1865.
On July 28, 1866, Lawton entered the regular army as second lieutenant of the Forty-first infantry, a colored regiment. In January, 1871, he was transferred to the Fourth cavalry. He was made a captain in March, 1879. In the various Indian campaigns he achieved new laurels. He commanded the expedition which captured the famous Apache Chief Geronimo. In September, 1888, Lawton was appointed inspector general with the rank of major. On Feb. 12, 1889, he was promoted lieutenant colonel.
At the beginning of the war with Spain Lieutenant Colonel Lawton was appointed brigadier general of volunteers and assigned to the command of a division of the Fifth army corps under General Shafter. He took a prominent part in the Santiago campaign. He began the operations against the Spaniards by capturing El Caney, thus intercepting reinforcements for Santiago. Afterward he was on duty in the inspector general’s department.
General Lawton sailed for the Philippines on the transport Grant, Jan. 19 last. Arriving at Manila he performed effective service before the rainy season set in, by leading an expedition which caused the first of the heavy reverses the insurgents suffered. For his capture of San Isidore, the rebel stronghold, last May, he received the thanks of President McKinley. With the resumption of operations by our troops in Luzon recently, General Lawton was kept very busy chasing and dispersing insurgent bands in various portions of Luzon.
Monday night the war department received instructions from President McKinley to prepare General Lawton's commission as a brigadier general in the regular army to fill one of the two vacancies. These vacancies have existed for some time, and have served the purpose of advancing five officers whose terms were about to expire because of the age limit.
ALHAMBRA BURNED.
Syracuse's Famous Convention Hall Goes Up in Smoke.
SYRACUSE, Dec. 20—The Alhambra, the famous convention hall of Syracuse where the Democrats of the state have convened in state convention during recent years, was destroyed by fire at 3:30 o'clock this morning. The flames threatened also to destroy St. John's Roman Catholic cathedral which was saved after heroic efforts by the firemen. The loss amounts to $60,000.
The Alhambra was one of the most famous buildings in the state and had been the scene not only of political but also of many other conventions and of many fights. Patti sung in the ''rink'' seven years ago, and after her came other notable artists including Emma Juch, Nordica, Campanini, Sousa's and Gilmore's bands. It was here that the fight between Tommy Ryan and Kid McCoy, in which the police interfered, also took place. All of the leading pugilists of the country appeared there during their careers.
The hall was the scene of the dandelion Democratic state conventions in 1892, and the following year both Democrats and Republicans met there. All of the Democratic conventions since then were held there, with the exception of the one in Saratoga in 1894. Van Wyck was nominated for governor there in 1898.
RAINFALL IS LIGHT.
Little Water in the Ground as the Winter Comes On.
From every side come unusual complaints of springs and creeks dry. In some sections of Cortland county farmers are now drawing water upwards of a mile in barrels from creeks to furnish water for their stock. The water in Cayuga lake is said to be eight inches lower than it was Sept. 1. A resident of DeRuyter living alongside the reservoir says he has not seen the water there so low in thirty years. Wells all through the country are low. The secret of the matter is that the rain has not fallen.
The STANDARD has been looking up the record of the rainfall in Cortland for the past four years and presents herewith the statement by months. The record is taken from a United States weather bureau standard rain guage [sic] which is placed upon the roof of the Standard building, and the record in consequence is accurate and authentic. In making up the record snow is counted as rain, a special measure being used for it as directed by the weather bureau.
It will be noticed that the rainfall for l898 was the greatest of the four years. The record of 1899 is not yet complete and only includes Dec. 19. The total to that date for this year is 25.49 inches only 1.35 less than the total for 1897. One or two good rains between now and Jan. 1 would carry the record above that of 1897. The record complete to Dec. 19 is as follows:
THE DERUYTER RESERVOIR.
Something of its History and Use—Very Low This Year.
Lucius Hathaway of the extreme northern part of the town of Cuyler recently informed a STANDARD man that the DeRuyter reservoir has been lower this season than at any time during the past thirty years.
Mr. Hathaway said he could well remember when what is now the reservoir proper was only a large never failing spring covering an area of nearly five acres. About forty years ago the state purchased the farms of Bradley Merchant, Britton Allen, Berton Reed and John Pope at a nominal price for the purpose of flooding the same and making head water for a state feeder for the Erie canal. The reservoir is still used for that end. Its outlet is near Fayetteville and Manlius. The state authorities built a large dam 70 feet high and the four farms besides other adjoining lands were submerged and a body of water covering over 800 acres has been maintained by the state ever since. When at high water mark the surface measures 2 miles in length and 1 mile wide.
Last season a steam launch of about thirty passenger capacity was placed upon the reservoir for the accommodation of summer visitors and all others who wished to avail themselves of a ride, affording much pleasure to the people of that section of country. The craft was purchased by John McAllister of parties in Freeville and was transferred over land on trucks last spring to DeRuytor. Many will recollect seeing it pass through this village.
POSSIBLE REAL ESTATE CHANGE.
Sig. Sautelle Erecting a Fine Barn and Running an Excellent Hotel.
Sig. Sautelle, the well-known showman of DeRuyter, has the lumber on the ground for the erection of a large barn, 40 by 80 feet, on a farm recently purchased by him just east of that village. The barn is being built to shelter a large number of the fine circus horses owned by the popular showman who has his winter quarters in that village. Mr. Sautelle is also proprietor of one of the handsomest and best equipped hotels in central New York which is located at DeRuyter. The rooms are all finished and furnished in up-to-date style and are heated by hot air and steam and no pains are spared for the entertainment and comfort of guests.
There is a widespread rumor afloat in the northern part of the county and in DeRuyter that Mr. Sautelle is making an effort to exchange a certain parcel of real estate in the village of DeRuyter with parties in Cortland for a fine piece of property here. The deal has not been consummated as yet, but if the report proves to be true valuable property in both villages will change hands.
SALVATION ARMY.
A Barrel to be Sent from Cortland to the Rescue Home at Buffalo.
Since the opening of the Salvation Army Rescue Home in Buffalo quite a large number of our unfortunate sisters have taken refuge beneath its friendly roof in hopes of regaining once more that which to every honest hearted woman is more than wealth and I might say more than life, a good character, and be able to earn an honest livelihood. According to statistics 85 per cent of those who have passed through Army Rescue homes have been not only reformed but converted and sent forth not leaning upon their own strength, but upon the strong arm of Jehovah. Some, alas, have taken to their old ways again through manifold temptations.
A number of friends in Cortland have put their heads together to offer a little assistance to this branch of army work by sending a barrel of food at New Year's. Any one wishing to assist in this undertaking can leave their gift at Glann & Clark's shoe store, Main-st., or with the officer in charge of the work in Cortland at 21 1/2 Clinton-ave. Gifts may take the form of pieces of silk or satin suitable for making needle cases, pin cushions, and other fancy work, as these women must be furnished with something they can do, and these things when complete are sold and help to support the home. Gifts of food such as canned fruits, vegetables, meats, tea, sugar, coffee, in fact anything that can be packed and sent by freight will also be acceptable. SALVATION ARMY.
FREE.
For Friday and Saturday, Dec. 22 and 23, the Grand Union Tea Co.'s Christmas souvenir, a beautiful screen calendar photo receiver. This beautifully decorated and unique art novelty of threefold usefulness is undoubtedly the most artistic as well as the handsomest souvenir we have ever presented to our patrons. It will be presented absolutely free to purchasers of goods amounting to 25 cents or more during the period mentioned. See them in our windows. Tickets given as usual. GRAND UNION TEA CO., 32 Main-st., Cortland, N. Y. [Paid ad.]
THE MATTER OF MILK.
Secretary Coon Issues a Statement to the Milk Producers.
To the Members of the F. S. M. P. A.:
In accordance with the wise suggestion of the several individuals who addressed our meeting at Binghamton upon the subject of time to be given the Pure Milk company in which to complete its financial and distributing arrangements for the taking of milk, which suggestions were adopted in form of resolution, authorizing our committee to extend such time as might be necessary to ensure ultimate and permanent success, an extension has been granted by our committee until Jan. 1 next. This extension was made necessary by a combination of circumstances beyond the control of any and all interested in this business; the most important of which no intelligent man in our organization can fail to appreciate and which are briefly as follows: First—The parties in New York taking hold of this matter (barely ten weeks ago) and our officers, realized its magnitude, as well as that most serious incubus upon success, the fact that numerous others (bankers, dealers, promoters, etc.) had undertaken it and either failed utterly or were still barnacles upon it for possible profit, all disappointed, and hence sure to be more or less antagonistic toward any plan of operations other than their own, and to any other person or persons undertaking it. Second—The condition of the money market has been such during the whole time as to preclude the financing of any other new industrial enterprises, ranging as it has, all the way from 6 to 35 per cent per annum. While, in spite of the foregoing difficulties (which were met with bold front,) the Pure Milk company has made steady and substantial progress. If it were not for our organization and the Pure Milk company and its position in the city at the present time, it is obviously certain that the prices to the farmers would be lowered at least 1/2 cent per quart at once.
Your committee wish to give you a full understanding of the several good and sufficient reasons for the delay and the extension of time until Jan. 1, within which time the Pure Milk company will be prepared to receive, and will see that proper notice of the exact date is given. A continuation of the present almost panicky condition of money and stocks, and of almost summer weather, would naturally make the granting of more time advisable to all concerned, but there must be a quick change in the present combination of circumstances. We all believe in perseverance. We have an end in view and must bend every effort to attain that end. The men who try to make this a success must expect to be criticized. Nothing important was ever done but the greater number consulted previously, doubted the possibility. "Success is the accomplishment of that which most people think can't be done."
H. T. COON, Sec'y. Central Association.
BREVITIES.
—County correspondence on second and third pages.
—Rev. Oscar D. Moore will preach at the Elm Stump church Sunday, Dec. 24, at 3 o'clock P. M.
—The younger members of the Tioughnioga club hold a dancing party in the club parlors this evening.
—A typographical error in a personal yesterday made Daniel Hayes' appointment a fireman in the employ of the Electric company. He is a lineman, the head lineman, for the company.
—The members of Vesta lodge will hold a Christmas hop in their lodgerooms Saturday evening, Dec. 28, between the hours of 8 and 12. A cordial invitation is extended to all the friends of the lodge to attend.
—New display advertisements to-day are—Buck & Lane, Christmas presents, page 6; Baker & Angell, Holiday slippers, page 6; McKinney & Doubleday, A good time to buy, page 7; F. D. Smith, Happy Christmas, page 7.
—It is doubtful if the Christmas windows ever looked finer than they do this year at all the business places. Window decoration has become a science in itself. A trip through the business streets with stops to examine each window would well repay one for the time and effort.
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