The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1896-12-01

A Heroic story Recalled BY . Recent Trial
In New York. vi

United States district court in New
York which has had on trial Colonel
Emilio Nunez and Captain Charles b.
Diokman ON charge OF engaging in
flibustering expedition against the Gu
ban province of the kingdom Of Spain
brings to mind an incident memorable
in Philadelphia annals Captain Dick
man was commander Of the steamer
Laurada. which, it ia alleged, aided and
abetted military expedition which left
the shozes Of the greatest OF all republics
in an endeavor to free the Pearl of the
Antilles from the yoke Of the Spanish
baby who figures as the king OF Spain.
But Captain Dickman is more warmly
endeared to American hearts by another
act, which has not heretofore been men,
toned in connection with the effort to
give comfort to the Cuban insurrection
and which formed no part of it. 1t was
a deed of heroism that history should
record.
Nearly 90 years ago band OF sturdy
Americans took upon themselves con-
tract to build railroad about 1SO miles
in length around the rapids OF the Ma
deira river to "a point Oh the Mamore
river by which navigation could be open
ed into the heart Of Bolivia. On Thurs
day, Nov. 6, 1877, there was telegraph
ed through the waters of the Atlantic
from London that the famous railroad
building firm of Pennsylvania bearing
the name of p. 81 7. Collins had signed
q contract with the Bolivia Navigation
company for the completion of what was
considered an almost impossible under
taking. A number Of prominent Phila-
delphians invested big money in the en-
terprise. It was deemed necessary to
take capable artisans from this city, and
on Jan. 2, 1878, the steamship Merce-
dita left Willow street wharf for Para
with machinery and laborers to begin
work on the proposed railroad. 1t was
not, however, until Jan. % Of the same
year that the steamer Metropolis left the
same pier for the same port, loaded
with 500 tons Of rails and machinery,
400 tons of stores, 200 tons Of coal and
246 men and women-in marine phrase
ology "246 souls all told" OF the peo-
ple aboard 215 were mechanics who ex-
pected to engage in the building of the
railroad which was to develop the nat
ural possibilities Of Bolivia.
The Metropolis was II years old and
totally unfit for such voyage, and as
she passed down the Delaware old long,
shoremen predicted that she would never
gain her destination. And she didn't.
The steamer reached the Delaware
breakwater at II p. m, and at IL 80
p M. she discharged her pilot and pro-
ceeded to sea. During the next two days
there was "a gale. The steamer sprung
leak, the old pump refused duty, and
the captain started for hampton Roads,
but at 6 80 q. m. Jan. 81, during q most
violent storm, she struck near Currituck,
bilged and went to pieces, causing the
loss Of 100 of .ner passengers and crew.
It was at this time that the name OK
Charles B. Dickman first b. ,~came known
to fame. As the vessel grounLed She
went broadside to the sea, and the sur
made complete breach over her, sweep
ing 80 men at one time into the seething
foam. The orders from the officers could
not be heard on account of the great
confusion aboard, but Dickman pushed
himself to the front and said, II cannot
allow all these people to perish, and l
want permission Of you, captain, to
take line ashore The second officer
said that Dickman could not succeed,
but the latter replied, II will try"
"vou cs.'t live." said the second
officer
"Well, if I don't, I will have done
my duty. / must obey the osders OF my
superior officers, but can't stay here
and see people drowned" said Dick
man. The request was granted, and it
was not long before he reached shore,
and, owing to the good work he per-
formed, the li-les of at least 90 people
were saved.
The ramor is murmured that one Of
these 50 was juror in the trial OF Dick
m a and Nunez If that is true, it is
ittle wonder that there was disagree
( ment II man had saved your life, you
would not pay much attention to law
yers' addresses or the courts charge.
That's human nature, and human ma
ture is generally right
And then, besides, he was only
charged with no more heinous an or
fense than attempting to free Cuba. -
Megargee in Philadelphia Times.