The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1899-02-16
RENDERED THE MAINE
StP-J Rni St~ines HOisted Over
ihe Wreek ga Jav-uc
Mrrhor

hnrhOr.
Havana Feb. 1850 p. m.)-The sur
shone brightly this morning for the hrst
time In several DAYS wnen the wreck OF
the United States battleshlp Maine, des.
troyed In Havana harbor on the evenlns
OF February IT, 1898, was decorated witt
a large American flag
At 9 o'clock the stars and stripes was
lhoisted at half mast by Captain Eaton
Iof the United States auxiliary crusier
Resolute, who with Mrs. Estes Rathbone
and Mrs. Dudley and ten sailors OF the
/ Resolute, rowed to the sunken battleship
The only others taking prat were a batta-
( lion with officers Of the FIRST Maine heavy
Iartillery.
An immense rope Of greens was festoon-
ed about the fighting top. each loop hung
! with laurel wreaths four feet in diameter
and ties with red, white and ome ribbon.
The Cuban club OF Havana had placed an
artificial wreath on the boat crane. and
this captain Eaton transferred to the peak
of the gan
| At 10 o'clock high mass was celebrated
in memory Of the Maine victims in the
Merced church. at whic.. Major Generrt
Ludlow and several Of his staff were
present The ceremony. whieA was very
impressive, was attended by Brigd. Gen.
George r. Ernest. representing Major
General Brooke; Commodore b. ]. Crom-
well, Captain of the port, and other naval
officers, the city councn. the executive
committee OF the Cuban assembly and
other members Of the assembly, the sec
'retries of the civil. department and many
officials. together with representative
.of the Havana fire brigade Many women
.of the better classes were in the congre-
CATION which orowdede the edlnce. This
Afternoon the graves at Colon cemetery
were decorated in the presence OF Ameria
can offers, military and naval officers
participating
The graves were thicky covered with
flowers. Father Sherman had been invlt-
ed by Mrs Rathbone. who Is president Of
the Womens association. to read prayers
at the graveslde and he appeared at the
American club. from which the procession
started, In fun vestments and with the
assurance that Monslgnor Santander, the
bishop Of Havana. had given his consent.
Commodore Cromwell said that as the
bishop was not willing that a protestant
chaplain should offciate he Commodore
CROMWELL would not consent to the read
ing Of prayers by Father Sherman. The
latter thereupon went to his hotel lie had
deferred his sailing on receipt Of Mrs.
Rathbone's Invitation.
Commodore Cromwell Informed the
newspaper correspondents that the sailors
felt deeply regarding the ceremony OF
decoration as distinctly naval affair
Therefore he could not permit any except
a naval chaplain TO ofhciate Although
he was quite Willing that both protestant.
and a catholic clergyman shou4- act. n
either was to be excluded, then the other
must be also.
The procession from the city consisted
Of marines and sailors from the Brooklyn
and the Resolute, the band Of the Brook
lyn. Major General Lud ow stoff repres-
enting him; American women in ambu-
ances, carriages containing American
visitors IA troop of the 7th regular cavalry
and one Cuban society. 1t was met by
Governor General Brooke, and staff at the
cemetery, where a wagon load OF floral
tributes presented by the American wo-
men and local societies were heaped upon
the graves, each sailor and marine also
some floral token. The
crowd looked on IN silence, some kneel-
Ing 1t was 2:45 p. m, when the process
sion reached the cemetery and the cere-
mony was over In half an hour
Meanwhile Major General Lee mad the
attachments of the seventh army corps
had not arrived, The marines and sal ors
marched away commodore Cromwell. the
naval officers and "A few others remaining. |
In about quarter OF an hour General |
Lees column arrived-battalions Of the |
second Illinois and third Nebraska re-
giments, the first Maine artillery, a bat
terry of the second United States regular
artillery and the bands OF the second Iu-
nois and third artillery. As General Lee.
on horseback, barred his head near the
graves, Commodore Cromwell. saluted
saying Il am sorry you wer not here In
lime for the decoration"
General Lee replied; Il was notified 70 |
be here at $3.50 p. m. and l was at the
gate at that hour Now that |
arrived / find everything over"
Commodore Cromwell said: General |
he hour was 2:3O p, M, sent you word
wo days ago"
General Lee replied: "I never receiv- |
"a It. I was told $3.50"
Commodore Cromwell politely express
ID his regret at the misunderstanding |
Fac Illinois band played america" and |
The Star Spangled Banner" the crowed |
lncoverng and the soldiers presenting /
lrms. This ended the ceremony. General |
Lee was detained 10 minutes outside the |
having gone 70 a locked gate.