Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-03-06
HE WAS GARIBALDps HOST.
Antonio Meucci Dying I'm the House He
Shared with the Patriot

From the New York world.
In the small, meagerly- furnished pedchambse
Of n little old-fashioned frame co aige st chf-
ton, 3. L, lies DYING an old man whose life b.
gan with the first decade Of the century. Over
his broad chest falls long. flowing white board.
betokening his great age and giving the wearse
decidedly patriarchal appearance. Those %
his bedside speak with bated breath, for they
know the end cannot be far Oh. This unpre-
tentious dwelling is endeared to the heart a
every true son Of Italy. for il was once the
home of the patriot Garibaldi, and the veners-
BILE man now breathing his last within it, walls
was his loyal friend and host Antonio Meucci
Mr.. Meucci became i'll a.week ago last Friday,
succumbing 20 a severe attack Of asthmstac
bronchitis. His case was from the frst deemed
a desperate one by DIR. Thomas, the physician
attending him, hot only on account OF his ex-
IRENE age, but also from the heart weakness
from which he has long been sufferer. Cesar
Nisini and his wife, who have kept house foe
the old gentleman and attended 20 all his wants
SINCE Mrs. Meucci died, four years ago, are un-
renting in their attentions 10 the sick man
"Ah," said Mr.. Nisini yesterday, tears filling
his eyes, he is such a good man, 50 generous,
30 kind TO the poor. II is very sad"
Anita, Nisini's little daughter, pretty child
OF SIX. with warm golden curls, Was found yes
terday afternoon sitting at the bedside OF the
dying man. Her eyes were red with weeping,
and at times a great sob shook her tiny frame.
In one of his lucid intervals-for his mind has
wandered most of the time-Mr. Meucci asked
TO see the child, Of whom he is very fond. Il
must see the little one once more before / die, !"
said he TO her father, and the little girl whose
godfather he is, came to him willingly.
In its wandering his mind seems oftener to
recur to matters connected with the telephone,
which he claimed TO have FIRST invented and to
have been defrauded out OF by Bell and others.
he made an attempt at one time 10 dispute the
validity OF Bells patent. but with the small
amount of money at his command the effort had
no chance of success. II is said. however, that
for some time the Bell company has recognized
ths justice of his claim SO tar as to pay HIM an
annuity OF Sl00 month.
The story of Mr.. Meucci's discovery of the
art OF telephony is very interesting, as is also
that OF his struggles later for what he held TO
be his rights. The discovery, which the tale
said was purely accidental. was made in Cuba
IN lS49. two years before he came TO this coun-
try. Mr.. Meucci had contract with the Cuban
government for the use Of galvano- plastic
electricity, and while galvanizing certain
articles required by the army he made frequent
use of electricity in treating sick persons at
home. Wires were placed through the various
rooms of his house, connected with the usual
batteries. One day patient happened 10 place
in his mouth an electrode Of copper, the other
end of which rested near Meucci's ear. The
latter thought he heard the sound of the pa
TENTS voice. who was some eighty feet away
| and separated by three intervening rooms. He
Immediately covered both instruments with
paper cones and then heard distinctly the
words Of the patient.
Coming TO New York in 1851, Mr.. Meucci
found Garibaldi, whom he induced 20 go 20
Staten Island and live with him. The hero re-
manned there for three years sharing 20 a GER
tain extent the labors of his host, who was en-
gagged in the manufacture of paraffne candles
under an invention of his own. For while
Mr.. Meucci also was an owner Of a paper-mill
at Perth Aniboy and a brewery at Staten Island.
He was not successful in any of his ventures,
and of late years had become very much impov-
crushed, even the house in which he has lived
for thirty-six years passing out of his hands. II
is now the property of the combined Italian So
cieties of this city, to which il was presented by
Frederick Bachman a few years ago.
The little parlor of this cottage contains many
interesting and quaint mementoes of Garibaldi,
among them being cabinet made by him and
presneted to his host a showcase for his can
dies. On the walls Of the dining-foom hang
old portraits Of Victor Emanuel, Cavour, Mae.
zini and Garibaldi
During the illness of Mr.. Meucci there have
been many visitors at the house to inquire con-
corning him. Baron de Fava, the Italian min
lister at Washington, came on especially to see
the old gentleman and pay his respects to the
| friend of Garibaldi