The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-14
WHERE HORSES WENT
FED TO GEN. SHAFTER'S TROOPS By
THRIFTY SPANIARDS.
Incident of the Occupation of Santi-
agO-Only 143 Animals Surrendered
Postal Agent Brewer Hero.
Copyright, 1898. by the Associated Press.)

Copyright, 1898. by the Associated Press.)
SANTIAGO, July 26-There are two ways
of looking at the value of horse flesh here
since the American occupation. Alive and
kicking. as horse flesh pure and simple, is
dirt cheap You can buy an animal for a
S. goldpiece, with all the trappings thrown
in. Dead, as meat at so much a pound in
the market it comes high-in more ways
than one.
The reasons for the discrepancy In values
between live and dead horse just now
are obvious General Skaters report says
that on July "a 143 horses were turned over
by General Toral as the sum total of the
Spanish cavalry under his command. 1t is
we'll known that one thousand is nearer the
number that should have been turned over,
but history in this case must relate to the
why's and wherefores of the shrinkage.
When Santiago surrendered on July II
eleven thousand Spaniards stood in urgent
reed. first, of food, and, second, of cash
These crafty Castilians bethcught them
selves of an ingenious plan for satisfying
their lust of flesh and gold. They knew our
boys would enjoy a repast of fresh meat"
after their severe diet of bacon and hard
tack, and would be glad to pay almost any
price in the local restaurants for it.. So a
tough old war horses were put to the sword
and distributed at fancy prices to the inns
and chophouses of the district for the espe-
cial benefit of the Americans. For time
this horse flesh brought excellent prices but
after many equine steaks had been served
devoured and paid for, the American troops
gradually began to realize what they were
eating, and would have no more Of it. A
slump followed.
Under the chaotic condition of Spain's
military regime in the city orderlies would
mount their officers steeds and ride into the
market place, offering their mounts to the
first conner for the most they could get. In
this simple manner, unhampered by the
formality of bill of SALE many horses
changed hands, always to the advantage of
the seller, who was getting something for
what had cost him nothing, and incidentally
depriving Uncle Sam of lawful prizes of
war. And thus, at least partially, is ex-
planned the fact that the Spanish cavalry
horses turned over to General Shafter had
dwindled to the ridiculous figure of LAB.
The first American postoffice in Cuba was
opened on June %, at BaiQuiri, Eben Brewer
being the postal agent. From the first day
United States postage stamps were sold and
money orders issued AN immense amount
of mail had accumulated at Tampa since the
departure of the army and it's prompt deliv-
cry to the men at the front after it's arrival
at Baiquiri was task of some magnitude.
After sorting the mail by regiments and
companies Mr.. Brewer bought horse.
loaded the animal with heavy pouch of
mail and started for the front to make de-
lievery. 1t was the first mail in Cuba I'M
der American auspices. He was gone thirty
made another. trip, this time hiring two
mules, one of which he loaded with the
mail and tied to the tail of the one he rode
himself. On this trip he was gone. four
days, and, besides delivering his mail, he
assisted in carrying the wounded off the
battlefield and helped the field surgeons in
these four days took neither sleep nor rest,
and the officers and soldiers among whom
ne went agree IN saying that ne was as
brave men whom he helped during the sew
eral days of fierce fighting.
In the meantime four hundred sacks of
mail had accumulated at RaiOuiri and an
improvement in the system of mail distribu-
ton became imperative. 1t was decided to
on July the Siboney postoffice was opened
in place of the old Baiquiri office BY this
time Lewis Kempner had arrived as assist
ant to Mr.. Brewer, and in two days every
piece of mail matter was at the front, sent
there by pack mules. wagons and carts.
Three days later Mr.. Brewer was taken
sick and removed to the yellow fever hos
pital, where he died on July IA. The dreaded
fever had begun to spread so rapidly that
building and hut at Siboney. Consequently
the poStoffice building went with the others,
and on July u the Office was removed into a
canvas tent. where business went on until
July q, when the postoffice finally re-
moved into, the building occupied by the
@ see postal e
its head. In this short space of time since
the establishment of an American postoffice
i'm Cuba considerable business has been
done. Money orders to the value of more
than $1,000 have been issued, and $1,000
worth of stamps and stamped envelopes
have been sold. A million pieces of mail
matter have thus far been received and dis
tributed. and more than half million let
tiers have been forwarded to the United
too