The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-08-18
FELL BY THE WAYSIDE:
or. THE STORY or the NAN VINO
DIDN'T GET TO CUBA.
Tho Adventures and Misadventures OF Nr
John w. starke, War Correspondents
of the virginia Volunteer.

The story OF the man who didn't 80
20 Cuba, as found below. is only one OF
many instances in which valor and pa
,r,o,,sm are strangled IN their birth by
the relentless hand of the So'ern
ment.
IN the morning OF August 4th iast
Mr.. John w. Starke. OF TINS c''y' ie''
for New York. with the a'o"ed IN
tention of proceeding thence direct u
cuba and lending his aid to the IN
bahitants Of that island, who are strus-
cling 70 throw off the despotic rule OF
Spain. -. c,,-ka
,o,,nd not less than three hundred ana
fifty young men. all anxious 10 Ilsh 'nei
lives in defence OF the isls OF bahahas
and yellow-fever.
THIRSTED FOR GORE.
Mr.. starke fingered in New York but
short while for the martial blood poieu
nercely in his veins. and ne thlrsleu lor
Spanish gore-gore by the buckeuui, he
spurned the many seductive attractions
Of the great city. and. in company WIN
his faithful three hundred and hfty' spec
southwark 10 jacksonville. Ihere the
little army rested for a few hoOrs. ana
then took up the line Of march for
Tampa. whence they proposed to embark
for Cuba.
But alas for all human calculations.
Before Mr.. Starke left Richmond ne had
inadvertently let the press know his IN
tentions and ere the train had lett the
city. his plans and a full description OF
his person had been flashed over the
wires and his passage TO cuba was as
effectually blocked as though wall OF
iron surrounded him.
on the 10Th day OF August. early In the
morning. Mr. Starke and his compan-
ions reached Tampa. Three hours later
they proposed 10 take n ship. which WAS
i'm waiting. and cross the briny deep.
All unconscious of the fact that he was
the object OF emissaries Of the Spanish
Government. Mr. Starke sought TO kill
little Of the time. which hung heavily on
his hands. as well as 10 refresh his
inner man. and proceeded 70 n restau-
rant. But before he had lifted the frs,
morsel OF choice meal 10 his lips.
hand fell heavily on his shoulder and
n decided voice proclaimed him under
arrest.
There was no use IN protesting. 80 the
would-be warrior struck his colors, and
resigned himself 10 his fate.
UNDER ARREST.
For two days he was forced 70 remain
In Tampa, hut on the third was released.
and started on the return trip. with
instructions 70 transgrcss IN Ike man.
ne no moro. In the mean time a num-
Der OF his comrades. whose intentions
had not preceded them by wire. had
found means 10 leave Tampa. and are
doubtless now doing gallant service IN
the Cuban army Of patriots.
Mr. Starke reached Richmond on me
return frip at 7:3O o'clock Sunday night.
He saws he was treated I'm n very kind
and considerable manner by the authori-
ties al Tampa. but deeply regrets that
he failed 10 reach the haven Of his am
bition.
Mr. Starkc IS well known here. having
been connected for some time with Mr..
John c. Wickert in the management OF
the Virginia Volunteer magazine
strictly UP 70 date on all military mat
ters II was doubtless while welding
the pen for this warlike publication that
he contracted his thirst for the
glories Of war