The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-12-29
PICTURE OF A CAT
Christmas Gift Received BY
Charles Clark True.
1T CAME FROM A WARSHlP
Cat Was That Taken on the
CriStobal Colon.

Charles Clark True IS one sedswick
county by who got a present which az
nrst blush rather staggered him The
present came under United States postage
stamp in an ordinary manila wrappil
paper. and from The outside bore the Al
pearanoe Of a photograph.
He received i yesterday and, with 40
little curiosity. uawrapped II in the pres-
erce Of rs father.
His surmise proved correct for II was
indeed a photograph. and the photograph
OF cat
The cat was not labeled and he didn't
exactly know what 20 make OF it. or con-
lecture who could have sent it.
There was no question at all that the
cat was bright looking specimen Of the
feline family. He was sitting In a wicker
chair. whlskers fine and spread out like
rays from rising sun. ears pricked up
in lively manner. In fact there was no
gainsaying that the cat was an exceptional
one. of more than ordinary intelligence,
probably good mouser. but just why
he should be picked out as a proper re-
cipient Of a cats picture young True
couldn't tel. He was not making a coIec-
ton OF photographs Of any kind, human
or cat.
He stood gazing. dumfounded at the per,
face OF the cat, and trying 70 solve this
sudden mystery when his father. Mr. True
standing near volunteered his help. took
the photograph, saw there was no expla-
nation on the front OF the card and looked
to the reverse and found written thereon
this sentiment:
I" 'Cristobal Colon Merry Christmas for
Charles Clark Tr1e from his friend Charles
E. Clark Captain u. S. N"
When this had been read Mr. True took
another and a longer look at the cat which
suddenly become intensely interesting Be
fore it had been only a common mouser;
it now grew to historic and heroic pro-
portions.
The picture was OF the famous cat which
stood on the burning deck Of the Cristobal
Colon whence all but him had fled When
the Spaniards turned the nose of the great
warship into the shore and the Spaniards
swung overheard into the water, and the
old ship was boarded by the Americans
this cat which had passed through the
NApIe bdttle, TuODeQ lis D4Wed BACK up
against the first American leg over the
gunwhale. The sailors were very proud
Of the captured cat and presented him to
Captain Clark of the Oregon.
Since Captain Clark presented his feline
majesty to brother in Michigan. where
the cat. christened 'Cristobal Colon" the
day Of the capture. died few weeks ago.
Mr.. True and Captain Clark were old
school mates. When his boy was born Mr..
True christened him Charles Clark. and
when the man after whom he was named
achieved such renown, by mis- long trip and
is part in the great battle of July 8,
Charles Clark True, quite a young man.
wrote him a letter Of c0ngra tuIarion. He
received a reply and a big gold captains
button. which Charles Clark True now
wears in the lapel Of his coat.
Since then communication between the
two had ceased. but It Is indicative Of how
good the gallant captains memory IS that
on Christmas day he should think Of his
namesake away out on the Kansas prai-
ries. and send him a picture OF the only
trophy OF an American victory 50 over
whelmlng that few trophies were left.
Daily Eagle by Carrier Ioc a wesk