The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-07-05

when Colonel Walter +. Steele. who rep
resented his district in Congress,
gave notice that he would APP
point as cadet to West Font
the youth who would stand the best
competitive examination. young Shlln'
decided to enter the contest and prepared
himself for 1t by a hard course OF study
He passed Il brilliant examination and
received the appointment III July. 1879
and graduated four years later. In 1885
he was appointed second lieutenant and
in December. 1880. he was promoted TO
first lieutenant of the Tenth n airy. lie
stood high amoag his associates because
he was an officer Of proven courage ;lii'
strict integrity. 1t was while he was
second lieutenant. in the Geronimo In
dian war. that his signal exhibition of
bravery won for him III" admiration OF
his regiment Volunteers were called
to undertake some extra hazardous tn
terprise-one in which death seemed i'm
minent His captain, capt. Crawford
and Lieutenant Ship both volunteered
The captain lost his life with his brave
lieutenant by his side. This shows the
stuff ont of which the young officer WAS
made-it was the spirit thHt would no
let him remain in II bomb proof poSi
ton when soldiers Of his training who
had been wont to look To him for lnador
ship. we're exposed To danger. Ii VAS
this spirit OF daring and doing an3 dN-
ing that made of him the true Knight
who lived without reproach AMI died
without fear. The heritage Of such 1
name will be an inspiration To his
sons William aud .Fahius~ when their
mother trains them 10 follow in their no
BILE fathers footsteps.
At West Point. Lieutenant Ship was
very popular, ms he was afterward in the
army His claSsmatc. chum. and mos
intimate friend was Lieutenant w. II
Smith. who was also an officer in the
Tenth cavalry. Their affection was such
as is seen in devoted brothers. Side by
side they fell in that charge AT Santiago
n charge that recalls that ut Balaklaya
and pettigrcw's last charge At Gettys-
burg. Together they had studied, labor
ed and fought. knit in their friendship
rs with hooks of steel. In death they
were not divided There is infinite
pathos in this fact: Lieutenant Smith
leaves a wife and two little girls and
Lieutenant Ship leaves a wife and two
little boys Their wives and families
have laid precious sacrifices on the altar
of their country.
William Even Ship was born in
Asheviile. y. c., August 23rd. 1861. His
father was the learned jurist Judge
William NJ. Shpp, and his mother was
Miss Kate Cameron. Il neice of Judge
Cameron, and first cousin of the late
Hon. Paul c. Cameron, of Orange. He
was educated until he went to West
Point AT the Charlotte Military Institute.
The Charlotte papers say he was easily
Col. Thomas's favorite pupil, and that
his fine sense and force Of character
made him Il leader and always promi-
nent" The boy was father to the man
Upon his graduation, eleventh in his
class. from West Point in 1883 he was
assigned to the Tenth cavalry. composed
Of negro troops. ut his own request. and
remained with that command until about
seven or eight years ago he was assigned
To duty with the North Carolina State
Guard. with headquarters chiefly II,
NsfppISUofO Win AhJHiHHt
Glenn. but was much in Raleigh. 1t was
while in North Carolina on this detail
that he met his wife. In November. 1892,
Lieutenant Ship was assigned to Davis
Military School at Winston as military
Instructor. He remained there three
years. winning friends and making
reputation rs an accomplished officer
At the expiration Of three years. he re
joined his regiment ut Fort Assiniborne
in Montana, and with his fami-
ly was ut that place when
war was declared. With his rcgi-
ment he was ordered to Disadvantages:
his family went to Lincolnton to spend
the summer with his sisters. Mrs. Anna
McBee and Miss Kate Ship: and he
went to Cuba to fight for the freedom of
the oppressed Cnbans, and. rs il proved.
to give his young life for the American
cause.
Handsome. cultivated. an Apollo in
appearance. chiyalrolis. Drove, all North
Carolina moufns his untimely end.
The war has come very near to the
people Of Raleigh. Its son by birth, an
officer in the navy. was the first to fal
ut Cardenas. and now its SOL by mar
riage. IN officer in the army gives up
his life at Santiago. For all time those
towns will convey tragedy to broken
hearts in this city, and will tell to chill
dren yet unborn of two of North Caro-
linas sons who are worthy to he the
countrymen of the heroes Of Mecklen-
burg. Kings Mountains, Alamaifce and
Guilford Court House.
Maj. Chas. l.. Davis, of the Z. $.
Army, who knew Lieutenant Ship in
the Geronimo war and in other condi-
tons Of life. said of him yesterday: Il
neld him III the highest esteem as Il mag
nifieent soldier. fine husband and father
and / have heartfelt sympathy for hi