The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-08-20

Houston has made her FIRST sacrifice to
the god of the war now being waged in the
Philippines. First Lieutenant Alfred Wet
temark Drew. Twelfth infantry. u. S. A.
Is dead.
Yesterday morning at the usual hour.
Captain o. C. Drew. Sr,, OF this city en-
tered the Planters and Mechanics bank,
OF which ne is cashier. and proceeded to
his private office. He was IN unusually
good spirits for the morning papers had
contained no mention of lighting in the
Philippines and he felt that his boy was
safe.
few moments after he had opened his
desk the employees of the bank heard an
unusual sound and on rushing inlme-
diately to investigate the case found Cap
tain Drew staggering back, with an agon-
lied expression on his face. from a freshly
opened cablegram which lay on the desk
The Hateful bit of yellow paper bore
only these words:
Manila. August 1S.-Drew, Houston,
killed.
There was no signature and no other
name save his own, but Captain Drew
realized in an instant tho dread Import
of the message and knew that his boy.
the idol of his heart. was dead
Tnere are scenes too sacred TO be given
TO the public and that which followed the
reading of the cahlegram was one OF
them The news spread In nm incredibly
short time and soon a number of Cam
tain Drew's old friends arrived 10 offer
their sympathy and confidence Words
were but empty things and conveyed no
meaning 10 the stricken father. but the
presence OF his true friends showed what
words could not express
Captain Q. c. Drew Jr., brother of
me deceased soldier, was notified of tho
sad news as soon as possible and came
Immediately to mlngle his tears with tnose
OF his father. Both were heartbroken and
could do little toward comforting each
other AT lao p. m. the father and son
accompanied by the elder Drows sister in
law, Mrs. Charles Marston left for Bay
Ridge. where Mrs. o. c. Drew, Sr Is
spending the summer and where the news
OF her idolized sons death was broken to
her.
The death Of no man In Houston could
nave caused more widespread sorrow than
ala that OF Alfred Drew. During the day
words of praise for his noble character
were on the lips of thousands and many n
tear was shed and many word of sorrow
spoken when 1t was known that he had
passed away During the years he had
resided In Houston all who knew him had
learned to love him and the taking away
OF his bright young life was almost moro
than could be borne. A pail was cast over
the entire city and everywhere could be
seen groups OF people discussing his death
and specializing as to the manner in which
he met his fate. The brief cablegram gave
absolutely no information on this score.
1t is known. however, that his regiment
has been on the firing line for some time
past and It is supposed that he fell dur
Ing the engagement OF last Wednesday,
when Colonel Smith with ten companies
OF the Twelfth infantry and two guns OF
the First artillery attacked the enemy
near Angeles General Otis In his cable
TO the war department regarding the fight
gave the American loss as two killed and
twelve wounded Lieutenant Charles how
land Of the Twentieth infantry. an aide
on General Lloyd Wheatons staff, re-
ceived wound In the face during the same
engagement. He was a warm personal
friend OF Captain o. G. Drew. Jr,, a
brother Of the deceased. having known the
latter while both were stationed at Fort
Leavenworth and again during last sum-
mer In Alabama and Florida. when the
two young officers were attached to tho
first division OF the Seventh army corps
News of the death OF her husband was
autographed to Mrs. Alfred Drew, who is
summering with her two boys In Virginia.