Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-07-04
RELICS FROM CUBA
BROUGHT HOME BY SERGEANT
MAJOR JONES.

MAJOR JONES.
Mr.. z. T. Jones. late Sergeant Major
of the Fourth U. S. Volunteer Infantry
Immuncs. was in the city n few days
ago visiting HIS brothers. Messrs. ].
Bunyon and Frank Jones. OF the j. b.
Jones Tailoring Company. While here
II was the privilege of a representa-
tive OF the Firginian- Pilot to meet him
several times and inspect few of the
large number OF curios he brought back
from Cuba, and hear his opinion OF the
future Of the Pearl of the Antilles and
its people.
Mr.. Jones, 1t should be mentioned. en-
listed June 2lst. in the Company OF
Immunes, organized by Capt. J. d.
Treadwell. of Norfolk. who. il Will be
remembered, died at Jacksonville, Fla.
before his regiment went TO Cuba. Mr.
Jones went with his company as Ser.
geant but was subsequently promoted
TO SergeantMajor of the regiment.
which was admitted to be one of the
finest sent TO Cuba. He paid Il splendid
tribute to Capt Treadwell. who spared
neither effort, time nor money to pro-
mote the comfort of the men he COM
manded. He tempered firmncss with
Kindness and was respected and loved
as few commanders are.
MUCH SUFFERING.
Mr.. Jones says the most pitiful OBJ
1ectS he ever saw or ever expects to
see were the reconcentrados of Cuba,
who had disposed of everything they
possessed to get something to eat. Hun
dreds were emaciated, having wasted
away for lack OF food. and there is to-
day considerable suffering in some dis
trictS of the island. but the l.. S. mil
itary authorities and soldiers have con-
tributed literally to relieve restitution.
Ae- ,.,tl4
indolency, and are utterly incapable of
sef-discipine and self-government
They are divided into factions, each
jealous of the other. Mr.. Jones thinks
it will be necessary for the United
States to administer the government;
there for quite awhile. and that with
the gradual disappearance of ultra MIL
itary and the substitution OF semi-civi,
rule the natives will become more at
tached to our government and event
ually ask that the island be annexed
to the United States.
SOME CURIOS.
To return to the curios. some OF those
in possession OF Mr. Jones were pur-
chased and others were presented to
him by Cubans. Many of them have an
interesting history.
Among the memcntoes of his stay at
Manzanillo is n beautiful deer. caught
months old. but does not appear to be
more than three. II possesses rare in
telliGence and shows great attachment
for its owner. Mr.. Jones says while
this particular deer cannot talk yet. /;
comes so near doing so that 1t re-
scmbles in that particular another
dear of his acquaintance. Both are
very precious in his eyes. and a mutual
arrangement that will end their pres
ent separation is among the possbill-
ties of this section.
a MURDERERs GUN.
Mr.. Jones has n Springfield rife with
which n Cuban shot Il Spanish mail
agent, and the machete with which the
body was hacked to pieces. Splotches
of the Spaniard'S life blood may be seen
upon the blade of the machete. The
Cuban was arrested by Captain Lips
comb. turned over to the civil authori-
ties. by whom he was tried. and given
long term in prison.
Another curio is copy of the
Spanish army regulations. which were
captured by the Cubans at Bayama and
subsequently, re-captured by the
Spaniards. II was found ut Manzanillo,
where it was left by n Spanish officer
a fly leaf contains the guard detail for
the day it fell into the hands of the
insurgents. The book is inscribed with
the Spanish Coat of Arms, and in gold
letters. Guards CIVIL
A REMARKABLE WATCH.
Another curiosity is n watch The
case Is of oXydized steel. inlald with sill
yer. and the hands of gold. 1t was
taken from the dead body of Spanish
officer on battlefield by Cuban.
from whom it's present owner pus-
chased ii. 1t is a stem winder and has
some features superior TO the American
watch.
SAMPLES OF WOOD.
There are numerous samples of wood
One piece came from the Spanish fort
at Corona, which was built in 1902.
Another, known as Nte. is as solid and
heavy as lignum vitae. and was used
at ManZanillo in cons tructing a house
more than a century ago. Then there
are several pieces Of Cerahre wood, pre-
scented to Mr.. Jones by "A Cuban lieuten-
ant. and suitable for making souvenir