Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1899-12-20
LAYTON DIED BRAVELY
Killed Laughing at Warnings
Of Danger.
FBLL INTO ARMS OF AN OFFICER.
His Body Carried Into San Mateo, After
the Place Was Taken--5oIdiers Mourned
His Loss-The President and secretay
Root Express Sorrow.

w ASnAN1Aolfs t10Gs W. 111C Wal AIT
partment received the following official
confirmation of the killing of General
Lawton near San Mateo, Luzon:
"MANILA, Dec. 20.-General Lawton,
engaged in driving insurgents from San
Mateo section of country, northeast OF
Manila, killed instantly at $50 yester-
day morning A great loss to us and his
country. OTIs."
MANILA, Dec. 20.-General Lawton
was killed in the attack on San Mateo.
General Iawton was walking along
the firing line within 300 yards of a
small sharpshooters' trench. consplcu-
Gus IN the big white helmet he always
wore and light yellow rain coat. He
was also easily distinguishable beeaus
of his commanding stature.
The sharpshooters directed several
close shots. which clipped the grass
nearby. His staff officers called Gen
eral Lawton's attention to the danger
he was in, but he only laughed with his
usual contempt for bullets.
Suddenly he exclaimed 81 am shot.
clenehed his hands in a desperate effort
10 SGduu tItCb dAI iCAl 1lAbo iltC tbl LILO VI
staff officer
General Lawton left home Monday
night, having returned from his north
ern operations Saturday, to lead an ex-
petition through Mariquina valley,
which has been an insurgont strong
hold throughout the war. The valley
has several times been invaded, but
81 l.x,+ ta A ,o,.ina (xAnara1
Geronimo was supposed to have there
the largest organized force north OF
Manila, and General Otis wished TO gar
rison Mariquina
The night was one of the worst of the
season. A terrific rain had begun and
is still continuing.
Accompanied by his staff and Troop
l, Fourth cavalry, General Lawton set
out at o'clock, in advance of the main
force, consisting of the Eleventh cav
airy and one battalion each OF the
Twentieth and Twenty infan-
try, which started from La Iona about
midnight. With small escort, he led
the way through an almost painless
country, distance of Is miles, over
hills and through canebrake and deep
mud, the horses climbing the rocks and
sliding down the hills. Before day
break the command had reached the
head of the valley.
San Mateo was attacked about s
o'clock and three hours fight ensued.
This resulted in but few casualties on
the American side apart from the death
of General Lawton, but the attack was
difficult because of the natural defenses
of the town.
Orderlies rushed across the field for
surgeons who later dashed up, but their
efforts were useless. The body was
taken TO a clump of bushes and laid
| upon a stretcher, the familiar white
helmet covering the face of the dead
| general.
Almost at this moment the cheers of
the American troops rushing into San
Mateo were mingling with the rifle vol
leys. After the fight six stalwart cav.
alrymen forded the river to the town,
carrying the litter on their shoulders,
and a cavalry escort following.
The troops filed bareheaded through
the building where the body was laid,
and many tear fell from the eyes of
men who had long followed the in
trepid Lawton. The entire command
was stricken with grief, as though each
man had suffered personal loss. Ow-
ing to the condition of the country,
which is impossible SO far as vehicles
are concerned, the remains could not be
brought TO Manila yesterday. Mrs. Law
ton ana the children are living in gov.
eminent residence formerly occupied by
Spanish general.
San Mateo lies between high noun
tain behind and a broad, shallow stream
in front, with wide sand bars which the
insurgent trenches and the buildings
command The Americans were com
PEELED to ford the river under fire. 1t
was while they were lying in the rice
fields and volleying across preparatory
to passing the stream that General Law
ton was shot. All except the officers
were behind cover. a staff officer was
wounded about the same time and one
other officer ana seven men We're
wounded.
After about three hours shooting the
Filipinos were dispersed into the noun.
tains. Colonel Lockett took command
when General Lawton fell.