19 May 1898
Page 1
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This newspaper page contains 27 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Indianapolis Sun
Location
Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
Date
May 19, 1898
Page
1
In Havana on May 19 three American warships opened a gunnade to cover the cutting of a cable and bombarded Morro castle at Santiago de Cuba. Only slight damage was reported with no further details available.
A Havana dispatch says the Santiago bombardment may reflect a plan to isolate Blanco by severing the cable to Jamaica. Small boats reportedly worked at the cable while ships shelled fortifications. no official confirmation yet. Gen Gomez, April 30, Barronez, pledges cooperation with the US army and lauds McKinley leadership and American aid to Cuba.
Washington May 19 A letter from unspecified sources states that Gomez pledges hearty cooperation in ongoing discussions. The document hints at collaborative efforts between Gomez and other parties amid mounting political negotiations.
Washington discusses whether Blanca's Havana to Santiago telegraph is by shore cable or land wires. If by land, Spaniards may control the island. otherwise insurgents could cut lines. Cuban efforts in the war disappoint, Gussie expedition failed, Blanco's wires remain intact, implying future campaigns may proceed without insurgent leverage.
May 19 is reported with a Spanish gunboat sighted near Nuevitas light. The Montgomery was ordered to pursue and compelled the craft to seek shelter or retreat. The incident reflects ongoing naval activity in the region and potential engagement.
A letter from Cienfuegos recalls last week’s clash between Spanish troops and cable-cutting volunteers. The city rang with alarms and a riot at Hotel Sierra de Oro as officials forced service. Marblehead’s gunfire shattered the lighthouse. families fled, relocating to Santa Quinteria and Rodas. The extraordinary two and a half mile range saw a shell hit the Gorda battery, provoking chaos and mass exodus.
Private advices from Havana report a critical situation with fears of outbreaks if the Spanish fleet does not arrive promptly. Citizens worry a Schley Sampson joint fleet would bombard Havana, neglecting the Cape Verde fleet.
May 19 reports a Chicago lawyer received from a Puritan officer a letter recounting the famed shot that silenced the Gorda Point battery during the Matanzas bombardment. The tale centers on the last port shot from a forward 4-inch gun and a man described as the old cowboy.
IXEY WEST May 19 The torpedo boat Dupont sighted a fishing smack of about 15 tons off the Cuban coast on Wednesday and fired at it. The fishermen fled to shore by a sandy cove, abandoning the vessel to its fate. The Dupont let the incident pass and continued patrol.
Washington May 19 arrangements for exchanging two Spanish prisoners for two newspaper correspondents held in Havana have been completed. A British telegram says prisoners can be sent at once and directs wire of departure day and hour from Key West. A Spanish steamer is to meet and effect the exchange. Forecast for Indianapolis area calls for generally fair weather with some showers Thursday night into Friday and a cooler Friday afternoon. Temperatures: 7 am 74, noon 73, 2 pm 77.
New York May 19 Harris Ferdinan Sky, owner of the flat house that collapsed last Friday killing five men and injuring many, was arrested Wednesday. He was taken to Coroner fucca's office and admitted to bail in 5000 dollars. The warrant charges him with second degree manslaughter.
The notice highlights Kershnerpl40 EH Market offering best harnesses for money. Strawinger and Nilius, located at 37 Monument Place, market top quality gear.
Prisoners from the Hirst regiment, sixty in number, face strict duties after breaking camp rules. They sweep litter, dig and fill sinkholes, and march under guard as punishment. Arrival of 975 Springfield rifles noted, though not yet issued. Col. Barnett away. Lieut. Col. Mc Coy leads. Court-martial postponed due to Barnett's absence.
Navy and state departments used West Indian cables to locate Admiral Cervera's fleet as Sampson reportedly moves toward Cuba with battleships while Schley and Watson command cruisers and monitors. Government secrecy remains high as a naval battle near Florida waters is anticipated by week’s end.
A Star corresp says the 158th and other Indiana regiments suffered in extreme heat while en route from Chattanooga to Chickamauga. Troops, lacking water, endured a long train ride and a two mile march to camping grounds under Lookout Mountain. Private Morris of Huntington is seriously ill. Regiments reassigned within army corps. Maj Atwell commands artillery brigade including Fort Wayne and Indianapolis batteries.
Mary Finnegan of 1009 Holbrook street was riding her wheel on E South street Wednesday night when she suddenly fell and awoke in Dr Kennedy’s care at the City dispensary. She recalls nothing striking or colliding and suffered bruises but no serious injuries.
The funeral of Mrs. William Smith who died Monday at her home on BH Washington street near Irvington took place Thursday at 10 30. She had suffered two weeks from liver trouble and was 72 years old, an old settler of Irvington.
Dr. George Ti. Coughlin of 4S WN Pennsylvania st. received a letter Thursday morning from Cuban insurgent David Echemandia, purser on the steamship Mascott. Echemandia, educated native Cuban, predicts wealth after Cuba’s freedom and describes transports at Tampa awaiting soldier embarkation. He saw the Winslow at Key West and reports 154 dead Spaniards near the batteries at Cardenas.
Scouting boats sent to the Yucatan channel reached Key West on May 19 with no news. Fleet vigilance remains high as Spanish vessels are not sighted along the southern coast, and a battle with Admiral Sampson’s fleet is feared though may be avoided. Three unknown steamers pass Martinique toward the northwest, identity unconfirmed.
Kingston dispatch reports a large number of warships moving north at great speed past Port Morant in eastern Jamaica on Wednesday afternoon. The vessels were seen at 4 o'clock and their destination was not disclosed.
Washington dispatch says the location of the ships Oregon Marietta and Buffalo arriving at a West Indian port is not definite. Capt Clark reportedly reported Barbadoes as their arrival point, with the ships now en route to join Sampson's fleet.
A Colon dispatch says newspapers report the Spanish squadron cruising near Port Limon with French ship De Lesseps sailing from Colon for Limon and other Costa Rican ports carrying ammunition and supplies for Cervera's fleet.
May 19 dispatches report the first division of about 3,000 men under Gen. Otis to depart San Francisco Friday for the Philippines with a second division to follow. Gen. Merritt to command, with plans for him to join in Washington before sailing. Additional notes cover pursuit of a Spanish ship, orders to Cols. Babcock and Pope to the Philippines, a Red Cross aid shipment to San Francisco, and cavalry movements toward Chickamauga as preparations continue for the Philippine expedition.
The cruiser Charles, en route to Manila, has returned to the navy yard due to a broken cylinder. Repairs will take about two days.
Reports from Key West dated May 19 say the cruisers Marblehead and Nashville chased and engaged a Spanish warship off Cape San Antonio. The account notes active naval pursuit and possible surface action in the area. Further details were not provided in the dispatch.
In Madrid a council of the cabinet met before minister swearings in and resolved that war prosecution is the nation’s sole policy. Senor Segasta reportedly removed differences during the session. In Chicago detective Michael Schaack, noted for anarchist cases, died Wednesday night.
Fragmentary text references country houses and stores, coal and oil, a lamp, and a note about feeding a horse. Names and location markers are incomplete, making it hard to identify a clear event or subject for a full news item.
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