Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-12-13
GEN. GARCIA DEAD.
THE PATRIOT LEADER PASSED
AWAY SUNDAY IN WASHINGTON.
HIS LAST THOUGHTS OF CUBA.
In His Dying Dclirium lie Gave
Orders TO Prepare for Battle
With the spaniards-His Evcntful
Career.
arcer.

WIN the Spnniards-Hfs Evcntful
Career.
General Calixto Garcia. the distin-
guished Cuban warrior and leader. and
head OF the commission elected by the
Cuban Assembly to visit this country
died in Washington Sunday morning
shortly after 10 o'clock, at the Hotel
Raleigh where the commission has It's
headquarters The sudden change from
the warm climate of Cuba, with the hard
ships he had there endured, added TO the
wintry weather of New York and Wash
ington, IS responsible for the pneumonia
which resulted in his demise. He con-
tracted a slight cold in New York, which
did not assume an alarming stage until
the early part Of last week. On Tuesday
night General Garcia, in company with
the other members of the commission, at
tended a dinner given in his honor by
General Miles, and it was the result Of
the exposure that night which culmi-
mated in his death During the twelve
hours or more preceding dissolution
General Garcia was unconscious most of
the time. At intervals he recognized one
or more of those about him. In his dying
moments, as all through his busy and dc-
tive life, his thoughts were for his be-
loved country and its people and among
his last words were irrational mutterlngs
in which he gave orders TO his son. who
is on his stan, for the battle which he
supposed was to occur on the morrow
and in which he understood there were
only 400 Spaniards TO combat. Just be-
fore he died he embraced his son. Rev.
Father Magee, of ST. Patrick's church,
was called in during the day and was
with General Garcia until the end, adj
mnisterlns the last rites of the Catholic
Church. The other members Of the com
mission and Mr.. Rubens, their counsel
in this country, were also in the bed
chamber when the end came.
The remains were Immediately prepared
for burial, and were placed on a bier in
the room in which he died. A large Cuban
flag served as a covering, and the head
rested on one OF smaller dimensions. The
face and bust were left exposed to public
view. The features had remarkably life
like appearance, and gave no indication
Of the sufferlngs which the deceased had
borne. Just above the head rested a mag
nificent floral piece of red and white roses
and crossed palms, tied with pure white
ribbon. BY direction of Major-General
Miles, a detachment Of soldiers from Bat
terry E, Sixth Artillery, at the barracks
here under command of Lieutenant Cox,
was detailed as body guard for the re-
mains.
OFFICIAL CONDOLENCES.
After General Garcia's death steps were
taken TO notify the United states Govern
ment officials and also the Executive Com
mittee of the Cuban Assembly, which has
its headquarters at Mariana, Cuba. Sec
rotary Jose Villalon, Of the commission,
sent telegram Of notification TO Mendez
Cspote, the President of the Cuban AS
sembly who is now in Habana. AS soon
as the death became known "A number OF
visitors, including many public men, came
to the hotel to express their condolences.
President Mckinley manifested his sym
PATTY by sending a suitably-worded let
ter, and Vice-President Hobart sent his
card. Among those who called were SEN
atOrs Foraker, Money, Proctor, and
Chandler, and Major Generals Lawton and
Wheeler.
General Garcia left large family only
one of whom, JustO, a captain on his
staff, was with him when he died. His
widow and Mercedes, a daughter, II years
of age, are at Thomasville, Ga, where the
girl of quite i'll; Mario, a son, 10 years of
age, is with the mother at Townsville,
and Colonel Carlos Garcia, another son,
is in Cuba. A daughter, Leonore, who
married an American, is now living in
Paris. General Garcia's mother is still
alive, and resides in Habana.
GENERAL CARACAS CAREER.
General CaliXto Garcia was born October
a., 1899, in Holguin, in the Province OF
Santiago de Cuba. lie belonged to a dis
tinguished family of well-to-do and in
fuential Cubans. His early life was spent
upon his fathers plantation, in Santiago,
and during his youth he was sent to Ha-
bana to be educated, and later went TO
Spain to complete his course. He was
man Of wide learning and understanding.
In 1864 he married Senorita Isabelle ValeZ,
who survives him with five children-Col-
onel Carlos Garcia, the eldest, who is at
present an officer of the Cuban army and
now stationed at Santiago under General
Wood: Leonore, who married an Ameri-
can gentleman, and at present resides in
Paris; Justo, who was recently called
from his home, in New York, to his
fathers bedside; Mario, who is now with
his mother in Georgia, and Mercedes.
At the time of his marriage he was es-
tablished upon a sugar and tobacco plan
tation. which he owned in Santiago pro-
raj minor civil offices. having been coun-
Gilman and Mayor of his native city OF
Holguin. From his youth he was ardently
in favor of the independence Of Cuba,
and often publicly expressed his views
and was recognized as a leader in his
section His heart yearned for liberty,
and in 1868 he was one of the conspirators
which brought about the rebellion result
ing in the famous Ten Years war. He
was one Of the first to organize a band
and take up arms in defence Of the is
land. In October, with his command, he
captured the towns Of Jiguani, Barre, and
several others, and succeeded in recruit
ing hundreds Of patriots under the Cuban
banner. He organized the forces in his
province, and was made colonel in the
Cuban army. Later, for his gallant SER
vices. he was promoted to be brigadier-
general.
SENT PRISONER TO SPAIN.
His military training he received chiefly
under General Maxine Gomez the pres
ent commander Of the Cuban army, and
In many a hard-fought experience win
the common enemy. For time he was
lieutenant upon the staff of General Co
mez In 1873 he was placed in command
~ the entire eastern division OF the