New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-31
ALL FOR THEIR COUNTRY.
o. r. vEsPER's MOURNFUL RETURN
FROM CUBA ON THE CROOK.

he is FOURTH ~ A LINE OF FIGHTERS FOR THE
FLAG. AND BRINGS HOME THE BODY OF A
son WHO DIED IN THE SPANISH WAR
ANOTHER SON DIED FROM FEVER
on HIS WAY TO MoNTArK.
O. r Vesper. Of Springfield. Mass. who returned
on the transport Crook with the body Of his son
represents the last ~ Eve generations. all Of whom
have fought and most Il them have died for their
country He WAS the transport pier yesterday
keeping a loving watch over the body ~ his son
An aged veteran Of the Civil War with gray hair
and feeble constitution. he insisted going to
Cuba take personal charge OF removing the body
Of his With empty coat sleeve speaking
Of his having bean in battle. his grim face show
Ing tho signs Of sorrow. he paced up and down the
pier forceful reminder of the patriotism Of q
people who sacrificed generation after generation
of its that attain of dishonor may ever rest
on the flag II is glorious record that the Vesper
family viii send down history.
Away back in tho Revolutionary War a soldier
named Vesper fought with the patriots of Wash
iaCton's Army. and lived TO victory come 10
the American arms. His followed his
ample. and I'm the War of 1872 contracted disease.
which ultimately caused his death He left a son.
however the third in the line OF fighting Nespers."
and when the civil War broke out this son. a
native OF New England enlisted in the I'd Vermont
Volunteers. and with him his SON. o. r. Yes
per- the fourth IN the lne. The father died at
Harrsons Landing from diseases contracted
while serving with Mcclellan. and in the battle Of
the Wilderness the son badly wounded that
his right arm was amDutated The son returned
to Springfield. Mass. married, and went into bust
When the call again came for soldiers to hght
the battles Of the Republic. Mi Nesper. on ac-
count Of his disability. unable to enlist. But
he did the best he could. re sent his two sons.
They both enlisted in the 81 Massachusetts. which
was one OF the volunteer regiments 10 be sent 10
Santiago one was a Lieutenant and the other
private 1t was after all the hghIins was over
that Private Paul J.. Nesper was stricken with the
deadly fever and died after sickness or only few
DAYS. lie was buried with scores of mis- com
panions and the old father AT home learned OF his
death and bore m brarely under the thought that
it the tradition Of tine Nesper family that they
There was still another son. Lieutenant Vesper,
and the father heard with JOY that this son had
apparently survived the hardships, and was on his
took train for Montauk Point 10 meet the young
lieutenant on his arrival When the transport
reached her destination Mr.. Vesper hurried on
hoard and asked for his son. Gently they broke
had been taken sicr soon after the boat had jeff
Cuba. and had died after n short ilneas. Ihey haa
Almost heart broken NJ Vesper returned 70 MS
home in Springfield His Offering OF love ior ms
country had been two sons one sep on one t o
of the ocean When tho ARRANGEMENTS for bringing
back tho dead soldiers were ANNOUNCED MI nespe'
insisted upon going tho Crook The 20 Massa-
chusette had arranged TO for all the bodies OF
its men hut Mr.. Nesper insisted the ne must 70
son He was sick most NJ the time during he trip
but bore UP bravey unde- the strain
Young soldier in the cemetery in Springfield His
friends will ray honor to The man whose iat .r
that The country might remain undivided. who gave
his TWO sons nat tho flag might sill remain as tne
Csgm G rrardfafher were among those
who made the hag thai emblem