The Worcester spy., 1899-06-04
GATHERED HOME,
Another Cuban Hero
Gives Up His
Life.
1~
DEATH OF ROYAL HARRY PITTS.
Served Through the Late
War as Member of Com
pany c, I'd Mass.
DEATH OF ROYAL HARRY PITTS.

Royal Harry Pitts, a veteran of the
Cuban campaign, through which he
served with the Light Infantry, Co. c.,
Second regiment, an ex-member of the
Wellington Rifles, and well known 30
all militiamen of this city, died yes
terday at the Massachusetts general
hospital in Boston as a result of the
part he played at the battle of Ell
Caney and in the seige before San
tiago.
That was the primary cause of his
death. The Immediate cause was the
performance of the last soldierly du-
ties toward his departed comrade, Pri-
vate James W. Wheeler, whose grave
he decorated last Tuesday, Memorial
day. He went to Lynn Tuesday to dec
crate the grave of the only one of the
gallant Second buried in Lynn.
Shortly after going to the grave of
his departed comrade he was taken
with a chill and was Immediately re-
moved to the Massachusetts general
hospital. He became unconscious short
ly afterward and failed to regain con-
sciousness before the end came, yes
terday forenoon.
1t was not the first time he had been
in that hospital. On his return from
cuba, where his system had been
racked with that dread Cuban disease,
the yellow fever, he was taken there.
On his previous stay there he had re-
gained his health to all apparent pur-
poses, and was discharged as being
we'll.
The doctors at the hospital say his
death was due to spinal meningitis
brought on by malaria chills and te-
Yer, which he took in Cuba.
At the time of his death he lived
in Boston. but is known and claimed
by Worcester as one of her brave sons.
His folks hcve lived here for many
years.. and left this city to reside IN
Boston shortly after their son had left
to go to the front as a member OF
Company C. He was a well-knoWn ana
popular young man in this city. es-
pecially among the local militiamen'
and was a central figure in all the
events of the militia at the armory
and at the annual encampments. lie
was identified with all the basket bali
games at the armory, where he played
on the Wellingtons.
He was a charter member of the
Wellington Rifles, in which company
he served as musician since its organ
ization to short time previous to the
opening of the recent hostilities with
Spain. Always imbued with the true
military instinct, he wished to go with
the Wellingtons when the president IS
sued his call. but was unable to do so
because Of the lack of a vacancy IN ms
own company. He then entered the
Light Infantry and was administered
the oath of allegiance by the muster
ing officer for this state, Lieut.. Col T.
NJ Weaver, May 9th as private. ne
was with the Second at Camp. Dewey
at South birmingham and at Lake
land, Fla. =.
Later in the troublesome times IN IN
Cuba he was with his command. Al ri
Canev and before Santiago he did not
finch, and stayed with ms cohlilldhu
till he was stricken with yellow ieEer'
one Of the few who had that dreau us
ease and lived to tell of II.
He was taken to the yellow fever nos
pitaI and there remained while ms com,
rades iourneyed home with joytuI
hearts. He remained in Cuba until tne t
hospital ship the Bay state IeIt II, ~
his native heath and he was put aDodLE, u.
He was then vastly improved oNeI Ill'
former condition, and the other IheHl-
bers of the Second and Ninth Massa-
ehusetts boys who were aboard became
the object of his solicitous care ana az az
tention. Many Of the returned VeteralIa
remember with regret his Pleasdint
countenance and the many niue l13H9 M
he performed for those who were uIidDi
to care for themselves. 4,,-,,
After arriving in Boston he was taken .aei
to the Massachusetts general hoSpILai, nos; IL',.s
and there received such wonderful Is cal :
that he was discharged as well SOON
after. ...,
He came to Worcester, but returned
to Boston. where his folks has removed,
When in this city he was taken i'll WIN wiz
malaria and remained with ms uIlGls ~
H. J. Nichols As Jaques avenue ne
again came to this city When the 9SC,
ond regiment was on its two months
tour of duty at the local state arnnory, !.
While there he was again taken i'll Win
an attack of chills and fever, which was
so bad that it was deemed proper 10