Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-07-06
HOW CAPRON WAS KILLED.
Widow I'm Oklahoma From Port
Antonio, Jam aica


PORT ANTONIO. JAMAICA, June o.
A small parcel containing a soldiers cam
paign hat, a pair of captains epaulets and
"a pocketbook went out from here in the
United States mail to-day. 1t WAS one of
the first sad mementoes of the battlefield
near Sevilla. The package was addressed
to Mrs. A. *. Capron, Fort Sill. o. T.,
United States of America, and when it
reaches the little garrison home on the
plains fortnight hence it will tell to
heartbroken woman the cruel story of
soldiers death. The articles were those
worn by brave Captain Allyn h Capron.
who commanded, Troop L, of the rough
riders in their heroic assault upon the
Spanish outposts. No message accom-
panied the parcel. The soiled gray hat and
the blood stained epauiets will tell the
story of death, and the pages of -iclerican
history will tell the sorIowing widow the
story of her soldier husbands heroism.
The articles in the parcel were taken
from Captain Capron's body after his
death and sent here TO United States Con-
sui Snyder by one Of the dispatch boats.
When they reached the consul they were
wrapped in such fragments of paper and
cloth as could be picked up about the field
hospital, and tied with wire. With the
care and tenderness of brother, Mr.. Sny-
der put them in a secure package. carefully
folding the hat about the epaulettes and
pocketbook, and sent them forward under
the seal of the American consulate.
Captain Capron died as he lived-a fear
less. noble American soldier. Even when
Spanish bullet had pierced his body and
the death pallor was creeping over his feat
ures he smiled at the comrades about him,
telling them calmly TO leave him where he
lay. and go on with the fighting.
None but those who passed through il
will ever. know the hardships the pain
|. and the final fury and triumph of that
morlfig march before the fight. All was
new to the Americans. But a few hours
before they had left the quiet of the great
transports, hurriedly had been crowded in
to the small boats and landed through the
foaming surf. One nights sleep on the
heated beach. and then with daybreak
came the order to march into the mount
aims and drive back the Spanish outposts
which the Cubans had reported to he in the
thickets a few miles back from the coast.
There was no delay, no questioning, no
fsitering. Every man was ready. On they
marched up the mountain. 1t was perilous
and slow. They had only a trail to follow,
and that at times led over rocks that
bruised their feet and legs, and through
tbickets which left bioodstans and swollen
places upon their faces and hands. The
sun poured down upon them. Canteens
were soon drained and blankets and outer
clothing was cast off. Lips parehed with
thirst asked cheerfully for just zone Swai-
low from a comrades canteen. With each
step forward the heat grew more intense.
All along the trait there were cool
shadowy spots where the great palms grew
thickest, but the men did not stop there.
On they went through the burning heat.
Now and again sturdy fellow staggered
for moment and sank down under terri
bic exposure. HurriedIy he was carried to
a shaded place and left to recover while
the column was moved briskly onward.
Then. like a sudden dash of rain from q
tropical sky, came the storm of Spanish
bullets.
Flashes in the green tticket, like the
glow of firefiies at night, was all our
men could see. To the right, to the left and
in front of them Mauser rifles cracked and
the thicket was aglow with death flashes
It was then that Captain Capron with hi;
brave little band from Troop L, dashed
forward into the very hiding places of the
Spaniards. 1t was an awful hour. Burning
with thirst and sun heat, pressing OH
through swarm of kissing bullets bruis-
ed by rocks and torn by cactus thorns. they
fought like madmen.
Only once during the battle was there
the slightest sign of wavering or even hesi-
tation and that was the moment when
Captain Capron sank to the ground mortal
ly wounded. With a revolver in his right
hand. firing and loading, he had been press.
ing in advance of his men, talking to them
constantly and urging them to move rapid
Iy. There had been a brief iuli in the fir
ing from the thicket and Captain Capron
was calling to his men to push forward.
He was standing and WAS in the arr
of leveling his revolver to fire when fierce
yoiley crashed from the thicket and the
pistol dropped from his hand He sank uT.an
the ground with his left hand pressed IL
his side, but with his right hand still
pointing to the spot where the Spanish
rifles were flashing. Several comrades knelt
over him, but he motioned them away.
Don't mind me, boys he said; go into
the thicket."
Stricken with death the brave man heard
the little band rushing on to the fight, AMI
with eyes from which life was fast fading
he saw the enemy retreating down the hill
side to Santiago.
When the fight was over, Captain Capron
was carried tenderiy by his comrades to the
little hospital by the seashore. but before
the sun went down the CAIN of a soldiers
death was upon his features. With his dead
comrades he is buried on the battlefield
The little parcel which left here to-day
will indeed carry sad message to the SOL
dier's widow on the plains of OkiahomN. II
is all that is left TO her of her dead hero
But the little grave here on the Cuban hills
is not sacred to her alone. 1t is hallowed
ground to all who love the word America"
WILL VISIT CAMP THOMAS.