The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-02-19

Homo Letters or saisrusn or the lest Maine
Tell OF Thear Fosrn.

WILTON, N, a., Feb. 1s.-Augustus Blombers
OF this town, father Of Fred Blomberr, ono Of tn,
crew of the battleship Maine, has made public q
letter which he received from his con on Monday
dated from Havana, Feb. 10. in which he says:
"Wo are in mortal terror Of our lives, and OK
pect to BIO blown up at any moment"
Young BlomberG was 20 years of ago, @ feet s
inches In height, the tallest man on the vessel
He 10 reported as among the missing from the
Maine. News reached the family through the
papers this morning, and Mrs. Blomberg wat
nearly Frustrated by the blow. Blombere on.
listed about sixteen months ago.
BUFTAIo Feb. 1s.-Frederick Paige Of Buf
falo was n first class man on the battleship
Maine. His sister to-day received word thai
his body had been recovered. and would be
buried with the other victims of tho terrible
disaster In Havana. A letter written by Paire
early in February to his brotber-in.law, A. q.
Bradbent OF Buffalo. shows that danger was an.
ticipated by the men in tho crew, and that they
knew that Capt. Slgsbee feared that his ship
was In q dangerous position.
1--WE are at present stationed In Havana.
Cuba" writes Paige, ITO protect American
citizens and ConsulG General Lee. Tho Spanish
were quito surprised when We entered the port.
1t caused considerable excitement In the city
for q time; In fact, we had the decks all cleared
and tho ship roady for action in case any trou.
Bile might arise. Guns were loaded as we came
to tho port and they arc loaded now. We can
zee fighting going on in the fields between tho
Spanish and Cubans. I tell you we are in dan
ger ourselves. but the boys will stay. and every
mar Is ready to fight for the interests Of our
country. or for the Americans ashore who
may DO in danger any minute. an
ready to do my duty If called on. Some of the
men fear chat we are anchored in q dangerous
position. There Is talk of tho treachery Of the
Spanish. Commander Sigsbee and some of the
other officers believe as tho men do. that there
is likely to be some trick played ON US, but I
guess our big guns will keep them all at O dis.
lance. Nobody Is allowed to leave the shin or
come aboard ut present. 80 you can see how wo
stand among tho Spaniards down here. or.
pect we may stay here some time on account Of
tho war;"
George Leideckcr of 41s Kossuth street, Union
Hill. N. j.. received tho following letter last
week from Andrew v. Erickson, one Of tho crew
Of the Maine. who had been q resident of Union
Hill:
HAVANA. CUBA. U. 8. s. MAINE. Feb. 2. 1893.
DEAR FRIEND GEORGE: I will answer you az
soon as I con. Ireceivcd your letter to-day and
l am glad to hear you are In good health and
spirits.
should smile that It is fine weather down
here In Havana. don't know what cold is this
winter. l understand you have been having
plenty Of snow up in New York. or rather up
north. You wrote about orr going to Now Or.
leans. Don't you believe anything of the kind.
We will probably stay here q couple of mouths,
for there is liable to be trouble at any time. We
are standing watches every night and arc keep
ing a good lookout for any small boat, for you
can't tell what kind of mischief the Spaniards
are up to.
We are not on good terms with them and we
have no liberty or pleasure. but what do we
caro-; we ali feel like eating o Spaniard for
breakfast He would not DO az tender as q
steak. but wocannot complain; we
have plenty to eat and drink and we can smoke
fine cigars. and you can u5e their fancy fans If
you wish.
With heartfelt regards to everybody, I remain
as ever, your true friend.
ANDREW ERICKSON.