The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-12-14
GENERAL GARCIA PASSES AWAY.
The Cuban Commsnasr Died in Washington.

WASHINGTON, December ll.-Gen. Cal
ixto Galcia, the Cuban warrior and head
of the commission elected by the Cuban
assembly to visit this country. died here
this morning shortly after 10 o'clock at
the Hotel Raleigh. The sudden change
from the warm climate Of Cuba, with the
hardships he had there endured. 70 the
wintry weather of New York and Wash
ington is responsible for the pneumonia
which killed him. He contracted 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 MEM
bers Of the commission, attended din
ner given in his honor by General Miles,
and it was a result of the exposure that
night which eliminated in his death.
During the twelve hours or more preced-
ing dissolution General Garcia WAS un-
conscious most of the time. At intervals
he recognized cne or more of those about
him. In his dying moments his thoughts
were for his beloved country and its peo-
Pile, and among his last words were ira
tiOnal mutterings in which be gave orders
to his son. who is on his staff, for the bat
tie which he supposed was 10 occur To-
morrow, and in which he understood
there were Ouly 400 Spaniards to combat.
just before he died he embraced his son.
General Garcia lefl a large family, one
of whom. Justo. captain on his staff.
was With him when ne died. His widow
and Mercedes, daughter, Il years Of age.
are At Townsville. Ca, where the girl =
quite i'll; Mario, son, 70 years Of age. is
with the mother at Townsville. and Car
los Garcia, another son, is in Cuba. A
daughter, LeOnora, who married an Am
erieaD, is now living in Paris. General
Garcia's mother is still alive and resides
in Havana.
General Garcia had most active and
varied life. much of which was spent in
fighting for the cause of Cuban liberty.
which no had the satisfaction of seeing
accomplished so short time before his
death. He was a man of culture aud re-
finement. Of splendid education, and
came from distinguished family.
Garcia was the original conspiritor in
the uprising against Spain in 1868, and
conducted several successful campaigns.
In 1875, while accommodating with his
escort, he was surrounded by 1900 Span.
iards. Preferring death 10 capture aud
subsequent execution at the hands Of the
enemy, he attempted suicide by placing
his revolver under his chin and firing
The bullet came out between his eye
br5ws. For months he lay between life
and death, bnt WAS saved finally by
Spanish Surgeons. The Spaniards, be-
lieving he was about to die. gave him
pardon. The hole which the ballet made
was always visible aud shows plainly in
the calmness OF death.
He was sent 10 Spain where he was
held prisoner for four years. He led a
second revolution in Cuba in 1880 when
he was again banished to Spain. He re-
turned to the United States in 1896 and
eudeavored to get an expedition to Cuba
After declaration Of war between the
United States and Spain. Gen. Miles, COM
m IndiDg the American army, sent his
representative to Gen. Garcia, aud subse
qnently the American and Cuban gen
erals co-opersted in their movements
against Santiago. All the officers who
participated in the active work around
Santiago bear testimony to the great aid,
assistance aud loyalty manifested by
Gen. Garcia during the campaign. When
the Cuban assembly met at the close Of
the war Gen. Garcia was one Of the prin-
cipal advisers. and was elected chairman
OF the commission directed to come to the
United States and confer with the author
tiles here with reference 70 the work in
hand.