The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-12-28
THE STORY OF wILTsE.
Peculiar Hallucinations of the Dead
Naval officer.
From the san Francisco Chronicle.


hort C. Wiltse and his connection with
the hosting of the flag at Honolulu last
January. 1t is appropriate to tell it lust
now. for it shows how unfortunate it was
for the cause of annexation that he was
IN command OF the United States steam
shin Boston. Not that he lacked in BRAY
erv-the records disprOve that; not that
he exceeded or did not come up to his
duty. No, not an aspersion can be cast
mon his memory from any such stand
noint But the trouble rested in the fact
that his sayings were considered as those
coming from man in full health, both
mental and physical, whereas such was
not the case. NOrehections are cast upon
the memory of the dead naval officer by
this recital, but, perhaps, this story, for
the first time made public, will show rea-
son why acts and sayings during the last
few months of his life should be consid-
cred leniently and his splendid record,
made until eighteen, months before, serve
as the only standard by which to Judge
I'm.
Gilbert G. Wiltse was born in New
York. Nov. 20, 1888. He was appointed
from that state 10 the naval academy
Sent. 20, 1855, and served the full term of
four years. He served with distinction
during the war and had perfect record.
7When the white cruiser Boston steamed
Wiltse was in command. The autumn of
that year saw the beginning of the trouble
with Chill With other vessels, the Bos-
ton was ordered to proceed southwark
Stopping at Rio Janeiro for coal, they
were detained for some time by the illness
Of their commander.
For, one morning as he was issuing Or
ders, Capt Wiltse fell to the deck and Law
as one dead Surgeon Magruder diagnosed
IL as apoplexy. Days passed and the IN
valid lowered between life and death
Finally the ship sailed, and as the winds
fought back the sultry equatorial atmos-
phere, Capt. Wiltse regained his physical
well-being. But mentally he was never
the same again.
The details of ship life bothered him.
"Swinburne, he'd say to his executive,
''attend TO these matters yourself. Don't
worry me-" and he would press his hand
to his head as if sharp pain dwelt there.
So, little by little, the officers took upon
themselves the captains duties, and he
seemed willing they should do so.
From Valparaiso the Boston steamed to
Callao and then to San Francisco, arriv-
ing the latter part of June, 1892. She went
into dock, underwent repair and then was
ordered to Honolulu, arriving there in the
fall of that year.
Then came the exciting times of Janu-
ary, 1898 Minister John G. Stevens or
land his forces, protect life and property
of Americans and hoist the stars and
stripes over the government building. In
doing so Capt. Wiltse did his duty, moth
ing more or less, for his orders came from
his superior officer, the Presidents repre-
sentative at the Hawaiian capital.
From the day the American flag was
hoisted Gilbert G. Wiltse became a
changed man. He became unnaturally
gay, unnaturally communicative, and
the only thing he would talk of was his
action in claiming the islands for the
United States He would walk about the
shore, and. pointing to the stars, and
stripes. would say: Look l put it there,
and 1 will keep it there; no man will dare
to haul it downw
The veteran commander had become a
monomaniac on the subject of hosting
the flag at Honolulu.
Stopping a newspaper correspondent on
the street, he would say: well. well,
what's new, my boy! Nothing, aye? Well,
what can there be until the news of an
nexation Gomez" And, by the way, don't
you think vote of thanks by congress
will be in orderH'
So he would go about the streets,
laughing and chatting, perfectly rational
on every subject-save one. To new ar
rivals he would say: Il raised that flag.
Pretty big thing, wasn't it, The Amer
lean people know now that the right man
was in the right place, eh!'
The early news from home was filled
with praise of Stevens action, and, of
course, Wiltse's name was mentioned.
These newspaper articles he would read
aloud, and wind up with: by JOve, sir!
raised that flag. l did it,"
There he stood in front of the Hawaiian
hotel, and he waved his arms wildly as
he talked. Some turned away and smiled;
w Ia
such an exhibition of himselfl' We won
dered at the silence of the Boston's
officers, but their reticence is now OK
planned.
In February his time was up, his three
years service ended and the last of the
month he was relieved by Capt. Day.
The Australia was due TO sail and
friends of annexation crowded the pier.
According to the custom Of the country,
the departing officer was decorated with
garlands of flowers. On the deck was
stationed the band, and the glorious
strains of .sThe Star-Spangled Banner
rang out as the hawsers were loosened.
On deck stood Capt. Wiltse, and tears
were flowing from his eyes. To hls dis
torted imagination he was leaving a
scene of conquest of victory; leaving a
place where he had won immortal fame.
There were sad hearts on the Boston that
night.
I'VE Will never see the old man again"
said one, and many a glass was raised to
wash down that lump which would rise in
the throat.
So the Australia sailed eastward There
were those on board who did not know
Capt Wiltse, save for few days in
Honolulu. To them he was an object of
mirth. He seemed well and strong, and
they thought he was only making a fool
OF himself" He was an amusing instru-
ment to while away tedious sea voyage
with, and they twanged the one string
that answered their touch; they harped
upon the flag incident.
do you think they will have band at
the dockan he asked.
"A band!' exclaimed the man ques-
toned. "Only band Why, man alive,
think what you have done. There will be
concourse of people there, a procession
and feasting. Members of congress will
be there
And so he arrived at San Francisco.
Here he received his first blow. His
dreams came to naught Slowly he left
the ship and went to a hotel. Perhaps
they will surprise me at Washington, he
said to friend.
He went east. From tropical Hawaii
he was shifted to Washington on cold,
bleak March day. From country where
his deed had been magnified and false
praise bestowed upon him he entered the