The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1899-05-05
How General Wood and a
Sentry Suppressed
a Riot.
An Unparalleled Feat Performed by a
Modest American Offlcer-A
Cuban Mob Subdued by One
Rifle and a Riding Whip
Lesson Bore Good
Fruit.

VI Uuc SlCh duu WOuuuCu dAu ponrNlhS,
and were administering the affairs of
the city-working sixteen hours each
day-the Cuban residents held aloof,
even to call and pay their
respects to the occupants of the palace.
There were no public meetings, no con-
tributions, no private offers Of assist
ance, no movement for the aid of
Cubans by Cubans, save by few men,
bers of the local Chamber of Commerce.
The church, represented by an arch
bishop, whose salary under the old
regime had been $4,000 year, and
number of Spanish priests and different
orders, did not turn a hand for the
relief of the city or of the province.
There was some activity, however, but
of different kind. Among the Cubans
the fact that certain Spanish officials
had been retained in Office by the
Americans-very wisely retained, too,
as subsequent events have proved-had
created a feeling of positive discomfort
and antagonism. This came to climax
on the evening Of the day on which
General Calixto Garcia paid his memor-
able visit to Santiago.
Surrounding the Plaza de Armas are
four prominent buildings, the cathedral,
the palace, the Club San Carlos, which
is the Cuban stronghold, and the Span
ish Club. The two latter occupy cor
ners triangularly opposite, with the
plaza between them. On the night in
question, about 8 o'clock, General Wood
was writing in his Office in the palace.
At the outer door stood a solitary senti-
mel, armed with rifle. Suddenly
there burst across the plaza, from the
San Carlos Club, a mob of Cubans-
probably 500. Within few minutes a
shower of stones, bricks, bottles and
other missiles struck the Spanish Club,
smashing windows and doors. A man,
hatless and out Of breath, rushed up to
the sentry at the palace entrance and
shouted: s'Where's the general!
QuickI The Cubans are trying to take
the town."
General Wood was leisurely folding
up his papers when the sentry reached
him. 81 know it," he said, before the
man had time to speak. 81 have heari
the row. We will 60 over and stol
Iit.''
He picked up his riding-whip, th'
Ionly weapon he ever carries, and, &C
companied by the one American sol
ldier, strolled across to the scene of tn
trouble. The people in the Spanisl
Club had got it pretty well closed up
but the excited Cubans were still be
fore it, throwing things and shouting
imprecations, and even trying to fore
a way in by the main entrance.
"Just shove them back, sentry,
said Gen. Wood quietly.
i Around swung the rifle, and in mucl
less time than is taken in the tellin
q way was cleared in front of tn
door.
"Now shoot the first man that place
his foot upon that STEP" added tn
General in his usual deliberate mar
ner. Then he turned and strolle
back to the palace and his writing
, Within an hour the mob had dispersed
subdued by two men, one rifle and
riding-whip. And the lesson is sti
kept in good memory.
, At the time concluded my visit {
observation there had been just fou
months of American rule in Santiag
t de Cuba. These four months had e
7 fected:
The rescue of the population frol
starvation to a fair satisfaction of a
their daily necessities.
The conversion of one of the fOule'
, cities on earth to one of the cleanest.
The reduction of an average dali
death of 200 down to ten.
= A considerable progress in schem
!, of street and road improvement tn,
+ will add immensely to the convenience
b and beauty of the city.
y service, resulting in increased revenue
A reduction in the municipal g.
. penses.
!. The correction of numerous abuses
= the management of jails and hospita
n and in the care of the inmates.
e The liberation of many prisoners he
l. on trivial or no charges.
The reformation of the courts and
: strict maintenance of law and orde
- The freedom of the press.
- A restoration of business confiden'
e and recovery of trade and industl
E. from under stagnation to healthy acti
+ ity.
o This unparalleled regeneration hi
y been wrought, not by a host of MT
native to the locality and occupyir
offices long established and enjoying
+ traditional prestige, but by an Amer