The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-03-27
THE v|RG|N|US SAILORS
How Spain Shot American Sea-
men Down Like Dogs.
STORY OF THE BUTCHERY
Correspondence in the Case-The Massa-
ere Stopped by a British Captain.
Spain Finally Pays $4,000
Indemnity in Ful

II a man WIN mas ndu tADtIltHtt Will
the aptitude of American administra-
tions in swallowing Spanish atrocities
He was the flag lieutenant of the Dis
patch, the gunboat SEN to the harbor
of Bahia Honda Dec. 16, 1873. to receive
the surrender from Spanish hands OF
the V%irginius. an American boat which
a been captured by the Spanish, and
SO of the crew of which had been shot
down in cold blood.
The black episode of the Virginius is
historical and aroused as much indig-
nation among the people of this coun-
try as the recent treachery in Havana
harbor; but public protest was UNI
heard by the administration, a long and
humiliating correspondence was con-
Quoted by the government at Washing
ton and the sum of $50, 900 was accepted
as full indemnity for the butchery of SO
American citizens. Capt. Fry, a native
born American, commander of the Vir-
ginius, wrote the day previous to his
murder: Il die without a country or a
home" These words of bitter rebuke
awoke. however. no response from the
administration, hich did not even in
sist upon the complete fulfllment of the
agreement entered into by Spain by way
OF redress.
The story of the Virginius is a stirring
one. she was registered on Sept. 26,
1870, at the custom house of New York
as the property OF citizens of the Unit
ed States. She was originally an En-
glish-built sidewheel steamer, called the
Virgin, aGu acted as a blockade runner
during the civil war. She was captured
by the federalists n sold to al agent
OF the Cuban Junta-the Cubans were
then i'm the midst of their first war for
independence-and her name changed
to the Virginius-About Oct. 4. 1873, she
cleared for the port of Curacao and
made the voyage according to her clear
ance. At foreign port she showed her
American papers and invariably put
forth a claim to American nationality.
1t is therefore settled that when she
left the port of Kingston. Jamaica, Oct.
20, 1873, under the flag OF the United
States she had, as against all powers.
the right to fly the flag and to claim its
protection.
1t was claimed. and not denied, that
from 1870 To 1873 she was a daring fill
clustering craft, landing arms ana am
munition on the Cuban coast for the
benefit of h patriotic insurrectionists.
a few hours after she left Kingston on
her historic voyage she sprung a leak
and was obliged to put into the port of
Caimit for repairs. Oct. 30 she once
more set sail. having on board 155 per-
bAi' o@ VI "AIbt COIttpOStu Ailt 1ltN
and 103 being passengers. While be-
tween h islands of Cuba and Jamaica
she was given chase by the Spanish
warship Tornado and captured about
is miles east of Morant, OF the east end
of the island Of Jamaica. Several shots
were fired over her previous to her
capture. She was then taken charge Of
by a Spanish boarding officer of the
Tornado, who stated that he did so on
his own responsibility, knowing the Vir-
ginius to be an American vessel. Some
sailors from the Spanish snip hauled
down the American colors, apparently
with the acquiescence of their superiors.
The Virginius was taken to Santiago
de Cuba, the passengers were thrown
into prison and Capt. Joseph Fry, the
commander, and his crew kept on
board the Tornado. Drum-head court
martial vas held for the trial of the
prisoners and on Nov. Z -four of them
were shot i'm the back. their bodies be-
headed, their heads displayed ON spikes
and their bodies trampled by horses.
One of these victims was a resident
of Chicago. Gen. w. A. G. Ryan. He
was a Canadian by birth and without
naturalization papers from the United
States. But he entered the civil war
before attaining his majority and
fought for the union throughout the
war, obtaining the title by which he
was known. When Spain paid the in
deNnity for the lives of the murdered
Mrs. Eliza Dunno. the mother of
General Ryan, received as her share
81, 500. Many prominent citizens of IL
among them Congressman
Springer. lent their influence to the Sc
curing OF her claim, arguing that Gen
eral Ryan had proved his right to citi-
zenship in a much more effective man
ner than by the taking out of natural
papers.
With such indecent haste were these
executions made that the news of the
capture of the Nirginius had not yet
reached Havana nor Madrid. Gen.
Juan Burriel. the governor for that
province, caused the cable to be
cut that the American consul, f.. q.
Schmitt. at Santiago. might be pre-
from making and communica-
ton to his government. General Bur-
ried refused for two days to make any
response whatever to the letters of our
representative. and when he did reply
remarked that the American consul
should hav known better than to dis
him upon All Saints day. when he
md his officials were engaged in con-
of the holy mysteries of the
occasion.
Under date Of the American consult
ate, Nov. 3, 1873. Mr.. Schmitt wrote as
to Burriel:
Nouiu most respectfully INFORM
vour excellency that Il has come TO my
a the Virginius, which
was brought into his port at $3.50
y. m. on the LIST inst, conveyed
by the Spanish warship Tornado. as a
vessel captured on the high seas. hay
on board many passengers besides
the captain and crew, was cleared from
Jamaica. and as ! under
stand that the said captain sailed under
American colors I. therefore. as repre-
sentative Of the United States govern
nent at this city and port of Santiago
10 Cuba. went yesterday morning ats
precisely. To the office of the
submarine Telegraph Gable company
% transmit n message TO the United
states consul al Kingston. Jamaica.
the nationality Of the steamer
virginius. and n 10 cleared under
papers. which telegram was
- and detained by you ex-
,ellency. as ! had the honor 70 commu-
licate to your exceliency by letter Of
yesterday. I'd inst. at which ] am
surprised az receiving no reply relative
the subject. which. under pressing