Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-10-12
TRANSPORT OBDAM BRINGS A CARO-
OF COMPLAINTS.
GREAT SENSATION PROMISE
COLONEL GIBSON SAYS HIS REPOR
WILL sTARTLE THE COUNTRY.
Says That, but for Him, Many Soldier
Would Have Starved in Santiago
-Pennsylvania Troops Com
plain of Affairs in
Porto Rico.

NEW YORK, Oct. 1.-THE United States
transport OLDHAM, which sailed from Ponce
Porto Rico, September Is, via Santiago, Oc-
tober 8, arrived at quarantine this after
noon The transport brought go sick and
convalescent soldiers and $50 passengers
all we'll on board. After leaving Santiago,
where fire in her coal bunkers had to be
extinguished, fire again broke out in the
coal bunkers and, although every effort
was made to get it under control, was still
smoldering when the Obdam reached quar-
antine. 1t caused much uneasiness, as the
transport has slowed in her hold very
large quantity OF ammunition and a large
number of rifles.
The sick and convalescents improved
steadily during the voyage, being provided
with excellent food and medical supplies.
There was only one death during the voy-
age, Private Sweeney, of the Sixth Illinois
volunteers, dying of cerebral conclusion,
and was buried at sea.
Speaking to Governor Hastings, of Penn
sylvania, who went down to the OLDHAM
tonight on the steamer Fletcher. to see
the Pennsylvania troops arriving, Colonel
Gibson said he had been the means OF
saving many soldiers from starving.
Governor" he said, after an exchange
of greetings. Il have story TO tell that
will startle the country"
As a result of this remark there was a
conference between the colonel and Gov
ernor Hastings, after which the governor
decided to take off the Pennsylvania SOL
Giers and have them sent to the hotel for
the night.
To a reporter Colonel Gibson said:
The newspapers will have to wait for
my report to ascertain the exact conditions
of affairs in Santiago. where 1 have been
They have been stirring things up here so
much that If l dared to open my mouth
would use considerable cusS words to back
up their mild language. l have been in
Santiago three months. and in that time
have learned many things. l cannot tell
you what is in my report at present, but
YOU may be sure that it is very strong.
My duty in Cuba was to look after the sick
and wounded.
Did you report TO the government as to
what the men needed?
II fed them. But for the relief associa-
ton, many of them would have starved
Ralph Harwyck of Dubois Pa. q MEM
her Of the Pennsylvania volunteers. told
a narrowing story OF the treatment he and
his companions had received while in Porto
I'VE got thee on July 2s.'' he said. "and
were landed rom the transport Mobile.
Many OF as h'd contracted typhoid fever
tropical climate de- eloped the disease. but,
, Notwithstanding our weakened condition,
the Sixteenth ma te good fight when 1t
enCOuntertu me sflan1arOS.
'dThe regiment " IS under fire for an hour
and at the close t the engagement thir-
teen Spaniards ha been killed and sixty
five wounded. W. deserved better treat
ment than We got when Porto Rico had
been taken. The REGULARS were well looked
after, bu- the. volunteers were starved.
When finally the man We're forced to sue
curnb to he feyer and were sent to the
hospitals they were treated most shame
fully. Although deilrious. Rs.were forced
10 get out OF our cots TO watch sc-pe poor
fellow dying. Some of the men went mad
under this strain. Only think of tide
lirious men nursing the dying"
/ HarwycE's story was but a,-sSo -