The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-08
BEACH WANTS TO BE COLONEL.
But He Only Has "a Dozen i'm His Reg
iment Thus Far,

iment Thus Far.
Dennis Beach, who is organizing a COM
pany to go into Cuba and fight for the in
dependence of the island, as well as for the
honor of America, addressed another meet
ing at the Criminal Court room last night.
The meeting was hardly as enthusiastic as
the one held week ago, when eighteen
men gave their names and announced them
selves ready to take up arms against Spain.
Five men signed the rolls last night, and a
number made inquiry of Mr.. Beach as to
his plans. He says he has written to the
Cuban Junto in New York and expects an
answer in a few days.
There was one man who seemed to be full
of the fighting spirit This was an inebri-
ated individual who came staggering into
the courtroom. waving two small Ameri-
can flags His patriotism seemed to go up
as the liquor went down. But he was good
natured, and the men cheered him and the
flags Justify. While the crowd was gather
ing some musicians stood by an open win
dow and played some stirring airs on the
fife and drums. Dennis Beach made short
speech in which he asked for volunteers.
He ventured the opinion that a war with
Spain would be very easy thing for the
United States, and he believed a thousand
good men IN Cuba could attend TO matters
at that point. Z. j. Bowen, who says he
has seen service in the regular army, made
a speech. He said that war was not thing
for amusement. He predicted great hard
ships for those who go into Cuba. Bowen
was The first man to sign his name to the
volunteer list Four otherS-most of them
young men-signed their names. A party of
five young fellows pushed up to the table
and glanced curiously at those who had
written their names and were standing as if
waiting for orders. The new arrivals did
not sign, but said they had come for in
formation. They turned away from the
table undecided, but did not come back and
take up the pen that the clerk held within
easy reach They Were sturdy young fel-
lows and looked as if they might be de-
pended on when the government gets ready
to ask for assistance.
The drunken man with the flags ap-
preached the table, and, dof1ng his hat,
requested permission to place his name on
the list. His legs were very unsteady and
his voice was thick with LIQUOR. "Oh,
Beach in a jocular tone. The inebriated
fellow drew himself up with great dignity
and seemed to feel he had been insulted
He failed to see the joke, and said 1t made
no difference what he was, he wanted to
fight Spain. He was told TO be eff and he
retreated, but with colors 1ylng. Beach
asked all those who had enlisted to come up
to the front A dozen or more young EEL
lows shutfied up to the table and stood
with their hats in hand. There was one
colored man who gave his age as forty
years. He expressed great eagerness to
start for Cuba, and asked why 1t could not
be arranged for the company to leave with
in a day two.
The volunteers met after the meeting had
adjourned and elected officers. Henry
Keefer was made captain, Z. j.. Bowen first
lieutenant Jacob Kelley second lieutenant,
and William Nicewonder first sergeant.
Dennis Beach said he expected to GO to
Cuba as a colonel. Another meeting will be
held at the Criminal Court Thursday night,
when there will be another call for Volun-
teerS.