Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-11-07
T0LLING CHURCH BELLS
Arouse the Patriotic Spirit
of a Brave Man, Recalling,
as it Does, the
Brutal ButChsry Of The Crew OF
the vlrginlus, In November,
1873.
Some Reflections on that Disgraceful
Deed "A Gray,Haired Mothers
Sorrow.
matters Personal, Political aud
Social, as Noted. by Our
Watchfnl Correspondent.

Inc steamer NlTglnlub mAbeaOiSt VI
the commencement Of that terrible
deed, took place ten years ago tosday,
in the city of Santiago de Cuba, Island
of Cuba, TO which place the i'll tated
vessel had been towed by the Spanish
man OF war Tornado, the capturing
ship. At six O'Clock 10 the morning
the fatal volley was fred that sent the
spirits Of Generals W. A. Q. Ryan,
Bembetta Varona, Jesus Del Sol and
NJ. Cespedes brother Of the President
of the Cuban Insurgent republic be-
fore their God. These martyrs were
prominent and very active Cuban pa
triots. Save General Ryan, they
were natives Of Cuba. No doubt the
Virginius was on her way when cap
tured with men aud arms to aid the
Cubans, then fighting for freedom
from Spanish thraldom. General
Ryan had espoused the Cuban cause
IN 1869, the same time that General
Thomas Jordan did. General Jordan
was General Beauregard's chief Of
staff during our war OF the rebellion
General Ryan was under the Union
flag during the war; still warm
friendship existed between the two
soldiers during General Jordans stay
on the Island as commander in chief
of the Cuban forces. Under him Gen
eral Ryan organized and commanded
a splendid cavalry corps, composed Of
American and European veterans
The authorities Of Spain hated Gen
erAl Ryan, placed price on his head,
and sent him into eternity when
an opportunity offered. After the
murder Of him aud bis three friends
November 4, 1873, ten years ago, the
slaughter Of the remaining l49 passen>
gers and crew was commenced. Capt
Joseph Fry, this vessels commander.
and eight others, were shot to death;
and few days afterwards 80 others
we're sent to join the martyr band
The opportune arrival Of the Britib
man-ot war Niobe, put a stop to the
awful drama Of blood. To the ehiYal-
rous action Of the vessels commander,
Sir Lambton Lorraine is due the credit
Of saving the lives Of the rest OF the
condemned. Like General Ryan,
Capt. Fry was an Americana very
distinguished one too; he having been
a Captain in the United States Navy
up to the time OF our war. He re
signed, however, and entered the navy
Of the South. He was as pure as he
was brave; and bis bravery equalled
Caesars. he met his death as did
Marshal Ney; and when his spirit
took its fight from earth the gates Of
Heaven opened for its reception. Poor
Fryl Poor Ryan Poor Oubal To.
day the bells Of one church in Chicago
are sigbing a requiem for your fate;
and one grsy-haired head is bowed in
prayer, while the good Priest is chant
ing the Mass for the repose OF the
souls Of the dead That gray head is
General Ryan's mothers. She is a
noble woman. lsllude to the murder
Of the Virginius' passenger; and crew,
because 1t isApage Of history writ
ten in blood which should not be
forgotten. General Ryan and Cap.
| Americans. They we're brutality
murdered by foreigners in a foreign
country. Why Because they sym
pathisSd with the Cubans in their
fight for freedom. They were cap
tured on the high seas, while floating
the American flag, and hurried to
death without the semblance Of a fair
trial. They we're captured October
3lst and murdered November 4, 1873.
General Juan Burriel; the Spanish
Governor Of Santiago, caused this
hurried butchery, this terrible deed
against the laws Of State aud human.
ity. That Spain applauded his Zero
eious act, it is only necessary 10 state
that be was recalled home By his gov.
ernment and given a higher position
However, as Nemesis always follows
such red handed murderers, history
may yet record that the avenger over.
took the fendish butcher 3urriel.
Time works Fondrous changes, but
none Of them will return Captain Fry
to his sorrowing family 10 New Or
leafs, nor General Ryan TO his poor
mother in Chicago. Nor win those
changes cause the American people TO
lcrget that the steamer Vnginius was
flying the American flag when she was
captured on the high seas; that that
flag was torn down and trampled be-
meath the flag Of her Spanish captors:
and that among the iifty-two person.
murdered two at least we're prominent
American citizens When Americans
think ofthis horrible outrage they will
blush that their government did not
resent the terrible insult at the mouth
OF the cSnnon and the point Of the
avengiug saber.
Brother Vennor is getting over his
pout This is apparent BY the fne
weather to-day, and all Chicago is out
enjoying a Sabbath stroll. No doubt
the ladies are very happy, the occasion
being splendid TO exhibit their fall
costumes, which as a general thing are
simply elegant
The action Of the Ooroner's Jury in
the Zura Burns murder case, at Lin.
coin, Ill, meets the intelligence Of
most Ohieagoans The attempt to fas-
ten the crime on Mr.. Carpenter seems
rather far fetched. The mere fact Of
he and the dead girl being lovers az
lords no ground to build criminal
large upon or against him. My ides /,
that she was murdered by tramps, the
lnducement being robbery. Certainly
II Carpenter caused her death he
would have no use for her satchel OF
cloak. The fact that they never quar-
relied is another evidence in his favor
II she was in delicate" condition
other means than murder were at
hand 70 cover up the circumstance
from the public eye. believe from
every feature Of the case, that Mr.
Carpenter is entirely innocent Of the
poor girls murder.
Killed her man. This is what Miss
Mary Harris did. Yer victim was A.
j. Burroughs. Both OF Chicago. he
was about to enter upon clerkship
In one Of the government depart,
ments, Washington, when she shot
him. Now she is the recent
wife Of the celebrated Washing,
ton lawyer, Hon. Joseph ii.
Bradley, Some persons in Chicago
marvel at the alliance, 1t is likely
the contracting parties consulted their