The evening times., 1898-08-31
TREATED LIKE A DOG
Dying Words of Soldier Of the
American Army


American Army
New York, Aug. 3l.-Some of the battle
SCARED veterans of the Seventy first Regi-
ment who took part in the triumphal pa
rade of Monday marched through the
streets again yesterday, but there was no
cheering this time. for they marched
alongside hearse containing the body of
comrade In arms.
The funeral was that of John p. Mess
er. a member of the Seventy-hrst's hos
pitai corps. He had survived the periIs
OF Santiago only to succumb to typhoid
at Governors Island while friends were
on the way to take him to his home.
Messer was twenty-one years old and
Joined Company II about two years ago.
lie was veterinary surgeon, having
been graduated from a college shortly
before the beginning of hostiIities. With
MS regiment he went to the front
Nhie away In Cuba he wrote home 6 .y-
eral times telling of the suffering caused
oy lack of food. but he endured the pri
Fations. with wonderful fortitude- Cam,
Wikof he found to be not much betetr
than Santiago. Although in c moaratiye
~ good health when he arrived, he was
soon stricken with typhoid. and he was
transferred to Fort Columbus. Goyernor.s
Island. In critical condition
While at Camp wikoff his friends ,riaa
10 see Kim. but. for some Unexplained -ea-
son. they were told that young Messer
hau died in Cuba. Finally 1t was learned
mat Messer was at Fort Columbus
IiaA Miiier, OF No. 81 Fourth Ayenue
"here Messer lived when he started TO-
ioh'' went TO Governors Island last
rioay. AT first he was denied permis-
SION 70 see his soldier friend, but he in
sisteu ana was allowed, to go in. Messer
recognized him. but was too weak to ,arL
sasPeu. We been treated like a
doS. So far as his friends kpon, r.
were the dying soldiers last words
Miller was told if he wanteJ :,
Aesser- away TO come ,.t,e nex, day IN.
no. heiore l O'Clock in the after,oo,,
"neh ne 'nd the young soldiers father
arrived they were told that NeSser 10,
died at 12:i5 O'clock. ia"
arrangements were at once made IN
si'e tne young hero military funeral
services were held yesterday afternoon
al tne home of his grandfather Andrew,
Busch. No. ABB West Forty-fourth s.ree-
"A de.ai OF six men. five of whom had
oeeh through the Cuban campaign With
-hesser. was sent to the house as n
guard OF honor. and eleven recruits we're
uetahed as firing squad
foung Messer was engaged to be mar
T,eo 70 MISS Elizabeth Speers. of No. s,
fourtn Avenue. She was almost bvs-
fericai throughout the services Her
grief was pitiful.
Ihe firing squad led the fuenral cor
tege. which passed along Forty-fourtb
Street to Broadway. thence 10 Thirs :
fourth Street and down that thoror
fare to the Long Island city ferry. pass
ing the armory of the Seventy-frst. from
which young Messer had marched less
than four months ago on his way TO the
front
All along the route pedestrians reyer-
emily uncovered, and stood bareheaded
as the cortege passed. Many persons
were in tears.
In front Of the armory the guard of
honor left the procession.
The interment was in Lutheran Gene
terry. After a prayer by the Rev. Mr..
Dallman. three vo!leys were fired over
the young hero's grave. the bucler
sounding taps. and all was over.