Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1898-10-03
LOCAL WAR NOTES,

man OF our vicinity to fall in the
late war, the TRIBUNE has endeavor-
ed to obtain further details of his death
than were published in that issue.
With the assistance OF his brother Evan
Il. Jones, OF Scranton, we present today
to our readers part OF letter from
Joseph c. Fitzgerald, member of Com
pany E, Seventh regular infantry, to
which the deceased belonged. This
letter was written to David j. Reynolds,
OF Denver, Col. The latter was a personal
friend OF John w. Jones, and states that
the expiration Of his term, May 80 last,
but the breaking out of the war caused
him to change his mind and re-enlist.
Mr.. Fitzgerald writes from Santiago,
Cuba, under date of August IL, as
follows:
I'm reply to your letter concerning
our departed brother, John w. Jones, |
am sorry to inform you that l have been
unable to obtain the address of any of
his relations. l have tried in every way
poSSioici Duu hdNo 81 idl.
ever, l am in hopes that in the near
future L will be able to furnish you with
the information you desire. He left
some papers in the company mess-chest,
and l hope to be able to get to it soon,
as we are ordered to leave here for the
United States and we may get onr mess
chest, which l have not seen since we
came on the island. You have no idea
how hard it is to have to bury our
dearest friends on an island like this
without even box to place them in.
John was buried about seyenty-tiye
yards in the rear of where he fell, with
thirty-four others of his regiment. He
fought and died bravely. He was shot
through the forehead and never uttered
word after being hit, dying almost
instantly. 1t was hard-fought battle
and we were in the thick of it from
$50 In the morning until in the after
noon. Bat as cruel as the war was, it is
hardly as bad as it is now, owing to
the number OF fever cases here. The
way the men are suffering is horrifying.
II can get his papers in the mess-chest,
| will give you more information about
poor Jones, and in my next letter more
about our regiments part In the memor-
able battle OF Santiago"
The condition of John Mckinley,
Freeland's representative in the Fourth
artillery, became more serious last week,
and the officials sent for his brother,
James, OF New York city. Tho latter is
now with him in the general hospital at
Camp Wickoff, Montauk Point, and is
leaving nothing undone to bring back
his brothers health. Typhoid fever and
malaria have set in, but so far the
danger point has been averted. John is
one of tho few Pennsylvanians who was
given an opportunity to distinguish him
self in Cuba, and his friends here hope
he will be as victorious over the disease
as he was over the Spanards.
Thomas Newcomb enlisted at tho
United States recruiting Office in Wilkes
barre, and was ready to be sent to Fort
ress Monroe, when his father appeared
on the scene and protested against tho
boy going away, saying he was under 81.
Lieutenant Siviter refused to give him
up. Habeas corpus proceedings were
then entered before Judge Woodward,
who ordered that the young man be
handed over to the custody of his father,
saying he had first claim.
William Sheedy, a recruit for the reg
ular army, who was on his way from
Wilkesbarre to Washington to join his
regiment, was taken to a Philadelphia
hospital Friday in frenzied state from
drinking quart of whisky. At Wayne
Junction Shcedy became quite violent
and threatened to kill the other men,
whom he thought were Spanish soldiers.
He was finally overpowered by his COM
panions and strapped down.
Among the souvenirs held by Free
land boys is beautiful silver badge,
the property OF c. f. Haganey, of the
First Penn'a. 1t contains his name,
No.\5, and U. S. S., signifying United
States scout. Charley was one OF the
thirty men selected by General Brook
from the $1,000 in the First army corps
to do scout duty, and takes pardonable
pride in possessing this valuable SOU
venir.
James Davis, of town, is recuperating
at the home of his sister, Mrs. David p.
Jones, South Centre street, after passing
through the monotonous life at Chicka-
mauga. He was with Company X, of
the Ninth. Jim is an old standby of
Uncle Sans, having served previously
in the Marine Corps.
Eugene Riley, who served on the st.
Paul, has decided not to re-enter the
naval service, and will be honorably
mustered out when his furlough expires.
Gone saw enough hot work on the st.
Paul to do him until the government
has another scrap on its hands.
Robert d. Hay, chief musician of the
Ninth Penn'a, will shortly publish the
song HTans ~ the words Of which nre hv