Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1896-03-14
OUR LAST TILT WITH SPAIN.
We We're on the Point of Declaring
Wa % Years Ago.
The Trouble Then Was on Account
Of Cuba--A Vessel Fitted Out
in New York Captured and
Most of Crew shot.

~ ht2 - ~ VIZ
nrst IN the relations between the
United states and Spain have beer Sc
veryiN strained on account OF Cuba's de-
sire for independence. Tw%enty-three
years ago the two countries became in
VOWED I'm a serious dispute that caused
much war talk and the exchange OF
many forcible messages between Wash
ingtun and Madrid. In the end Spain
backed down.
The steamer Virginius was fitted out
al New York In 1873 for the relief of the
Cubans I'm the pre- vious rebellion. She
left October \. with "A crew OF sixty
three and l03 passengers, including
many well known members Of the revo-
lutionary party. She carried also 1000
Remington rifles. a mitrailleuse and a
laige supply OF ammunition and provi-
sions Her commander vas Captain
Joseph Fry, an Annapolis graduate and
an eN-confederate officer.
Chased by "a Corvette.
The Nirginius reached Kingston. ia
maica, October "a, and then spent some
time in Haytian waters. on the Both
she started for Cuba, and had almost
reached her destination when she WAS
sighted by the Spanish corvette Tor
nadG.
There was q hot chase of nine hours.
The Nirginius had turned back towards
IT, jamaican coast. The feed pump
~ the T~ornado's boilers broke down,
II the crew was set TO work dipping
water from the sea. Night closed in on
the chase bur q full moon revealed
the black smoke pouring from the Vir-
ginius' sacks. for the insurgents were
piling tirei Ares high with everything
combustltle on board.
Gradually the corVette gained and a
blank shot was fired as a signal for the
Virginius to stop. The Nirginius was
only twenty miles from British waters.
Arms, ammunition, horses we've thrown
overheard, lut the corvette steadily
gained on her. Three shells whistled
e the heads Of the insurgents, and,
seeing the impossibility OF escape. Cap
tain Fry stopped between Cabo Cruz
and Santiago. A Spanish crew was put
aboard and she was taken to Santiago.
Wholesale slaughter.
Spanish revenge was summary. on
November 4 General w. A. &. RYAN.
Bernabe Narona. Pedro Cespedes and
Jesus del Sci. leaders Of the expedition.
were condemned a. pirates and shot.
Three days later Captain Fry and thir-
ty-six of the crew were shot and seven
ty passengers met the same fate.
When he news reached the United
States Indignation meetings were held
all over the country. The cabinet was
called together by President Grant, and
orders from Washington set the men in
the navy yards working night and day.
The feeling was almost as intense
among the people of Spain. In Madrid
there We're demonstrations against Gem
sral Dan Sickles, the American minister,
but they We're quickly put down by the
government.
A demand was promptly sem To Spain
for the release OF the Virginius and OF
those OF her men still alive, and for In
demnity 10 the fsmilies of the Amer
shot.
Spain dalliod and partitions for war
began. Excitement grew more intense
daily.
Spain asked more time. She claimed
first hat she had only followed the
precedent set by the United States dur
ing the civil war in declaring all pri-
vateers pirates. Then she wanted to be
that the Virginius was an
American vessel. That doubt was quick
ly kettled, and Washington strongly
quickly.
European nations were eagerly watch
ing. and secret negotiations were set on
foot.
Every Available Ship Ready.
The United States government put
every available var vessel into commits
sion. and It's patience was just about ex-
hausted when Spain reluctantly agreed
70 the American demands. The Virgin
ius was released and the survivors were
set at liberty December 16. A United
States vessel was sent to convoy her to
New York and great preparations were
made for the reception here. But while
off the coast OF North Carolina the Vir-
ginius ran upon a rock and sank. Some
went down with her, but the
survivors were given a magnificent re-
here.
Spain's American Victims.
This is a full list OF the American men,
bsrs OF the crew murdered by the Spanish
officials OH that occasion:
Captain, Joseph Fry; first mate, William
Barnard; second mate, James Flood; j, c.
Harris. John Rose, b. p. Chamberlain,
William Rose, lgnacio Duenas, Antonio
Deloyo. James Reed. Henry Frank, James
samuel, George Thompson, Henry Bond,
John stewart, A. Arci, Leopold Larose,
Broyeur. Thomas W. Williams, EZ-
ekiel Durham. George Thomas. w. j.
Price, Alfred ~Iiatsell. John Brown, SAM
uel Card, Barney Herald, Paul aumrer.
Frank Good, Thomas Crigg, =. Alfaro, +.
Corvison. John Williamson, j. 8. Tratlllo.
Day, Eusebio Gariza, Ramon Lar
ramendi and Jose Manuel Teiran.
or the Cubans executed, Colonel Angus
tus Santa Rosa, although a citizen OF the
noted revolutionist and had had many EN-
with the Spanish officials.
Euminio Q~uesada, a younger brother of
General Manuel Quesada, was only IL
years old. Colonel John Aguerro, Lieuten-
Colonel Enrique Castellanos and the
brothers Trujillo We're among the others
who had seen active service in Cuba.
General w. A. c. Ryan served In the
union army and was a familiar figure in
New York and Washington. He had been
editor and miner. For many years
he had been identified with the Cuban
movement.
General Jesus del So was a native
Cuban of wealth, but had lost all in the
cause. General Barnabe Varona, although
only q years of age, had already risen to
prominence In the movement. General
Pedro Cespedes was a brother of Presi-
Cespedes. of the proclaimed Cuban
AN ACC0clATEn FAKE.