Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1899-07-28
The Kitten That Was Rescued from
the Spanish Cruiser.
story OF the Famous Animals Re.
ceptiOn In This Country-Last
---- Seen at Chicago Cat
Show.

'noU ho was BoIuS 10 De, IL prODaOly
would not have troubled his little head.
His ship, with three others. lay in the
hill-circled harbor Of Santiago for many
days. while in the.offing the big Amer
lean men-of-war. like watchdogs.
barked, grimly, and threw bursting
shells at the port and town, to show
how they could bite if they should find
harsher measures necessary. At last,
one bright Sunday morning. the throb
OF the screw-propeller on board Of the
Kittens ship was felt again. and the
cruisers in their war-paint slid down
he channel to meet the awful storm
II shot and she'll that awaited them
outside. From that dreadful rain of
;teel, as we all know, three of the
Spanish vessels turned to the shore.
bursting into flames, while the Cristo-
BAL Colon fled down the coast, with the
oregon and Brooklyn following at her
reels.
When the chase was ended, party
II the Oregon's men boarded the wreck
If the Colon, to take away any wounded
hey might find. and to collect such rel
cs as they could, The wrecked ship
Jay at the mouth of one of the most
beautiful little bays upon the Cuban
coast. From top to bottom the hill
sides were clothed with living green.
A fairer resting place could not have
been chosen, but it is doubtful if the
poor old Colon's bones will be allowed
to lie there in peace. When the Ore
gon party returned, it had, among other
prizes, two trembling little captives,
who, having gone through one of those
experiences which make history, could
never again be considered commonplace
cats. They soon became accustomed to
their new quarters, and showed no
prejudice against their captors. evident
ly deciding that an American arm was
as warm to lie curled against as Span
ish one, and that American food was,
it anything, superior in quality and
quantity to the short rations they may
have had at Santiago. One kitten was
given to Capt. Evans, of the Iowa, and
the other to the Ofegon's commander.
When the Oregon reached New York
he cat belonging to Capt. Clark was
shipped to his brother at st. Joseph.
dich., to be cared for until Capt. Clark
;hould have settled his duty. Cristo-
oal, as the kitten was called. made as
much sensation upon his journey west
is if he had been high official. Tackled
20 his travelling basket was n placard
which read: ~
TO GOOD AMERICANS.
Treat me kindly and give me food, as
am prisoner of war from the Crstobal
Colon. being forwarded by my captors the
crew Of the Oregon, to their gallant con-
nsarder. Capt. Charles E. Clark. whose
he
jury s. 1898.
People crowded to the New York ex-
press office to see the little prisoner
who had played his part in one of the
battles Of the century. Newspapers
printed paragraphs about him. and II
was even stated. TO give him more dis.
tinguishcd rank. that he had been Adj
miral Cervera's pet, n statement which
his name alone should have contra
dicted. since the Colon was not the ad.
mirals flagship. He arrived at ST. Jo-
seph none the worse for his journey.
AT last his. peaceful life was broken
by call from indianapolis. where what
with the payments to see him and the
sale OF his photographs, Cristobal Colon
brought the sum of $50 to the Indian
apois free kindergarten. He seemed
so glad 10 be at home after his Indian
apolis trip that Mr.. and Mrs. Clark re-
solved he should travel no more; but
Capt. Clark. while Directing 10 further
travels for the cat. who had had so lit
| tie rest in his eventful life, had stipu.
lated that If Chicago asked for him
She should not be refused. for that ciiy
was the home Of many Of Cristobais
brave shipmates on the Oregon. Poor
little Girls! His appearance at Chi.
cago cat show was his last appearance
in public. He greeted his master and
mistress. on his return. with the usual
affection. BAT seemed very, very tired.
and after Cay and night CT illness
died. The handsome medal he won at
the Chicago show will probably be.sent
to the crew of the Oregon, in memory
OF their little hipmate.--Mrs. S. s. Rob-
ison. in 81; Nicholas.