The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-02-28

General Sumner gave him instruc-
tions to care for and watch it. Some OF
it was thrown oyer The second day out
and the remainder bon the third day
out. None of it was eaten by anyone.
Lieutenant Cole, Sixth cavalry, who
was also aboard the Rio Grande, which
carried General Summers headquarters
and the foul experimental quarters of
beef to Cuba was much clearer in his
recollection of the beef quarters than
Captain Beckman. 1t was, he said, from
some firm of meat packers and was
sent expressly for experimental pur-
poses with the knowledge that it was
chemically prepared. The beef lasted
only three days, after which it decayed
and was thrown overheard. Some Of
it was cooked before it spoiled. Wit
ness saw the piece cooked blu did not
eat it. It locke we'll and the man who
tasted it said cit was all right" The
officers discussed it freely, but none of
them knew how the beef a been
treated, the process being a secret. The
beef that spoiled became very offensive
and exuded dark, co%agulated blood.
Lieutenant Colonel H. H. Hum
phreys said canned roast beef was is
sued to his command in small quanti-
ties, prior to the surrender of Santa
go, but he had heard then no com
plants about it. When refrigerated
beef was furnished it was at first salts
factory, but it spoiled in large Quanti-
ties and the men finally ceased to care
for it. The canned roast beef was then
used in a stew, but the men would not
eat it, witness did not know why. He
attempted to eat the beef from the
can. 1t did not taste right. 1t gagged
him. He gave it up.
Brigadier Genera J. F. Kent, who
commanded a division in the Santiago
campaign said complaints Of canned
roast beef came from the men-it SEEM
ingly nauseated them-but he took no
action, considering these complaints I'M
a~voidable incidents of the campaign.
He understood much of the refriger-
ated beef spoiled en- route from the
decks to the troops because of the de-
lay incident to transporting it. The
canned roast beef was taSteleSS, he de-
clared, and often repulSive in appear
ance, and apparently a all nutriment
extracted.
Colonel Woodruff testified that he
bought a total of 81, $780, 900 worth of
supplies in the first six months of the
war. All contracts for canned roast
beef contained clauses providing that
contractors should replace any beef
that proved unfit for use without fault
of the army officials. Each box On
tanned a certificate Of inspection n
approval from an official Of the agricul-
tural department approving the cattle
on hoof and after slaughter. Most Of
h beef was shipped to Tampa. The
entire supply in New York and in the
interior country, together with $50, 900
pounds brought from Europe, where it
had been shipped, was exhausted and
the factories, Colonel Woodruff under
stood, We're run night and day to meet
the extraordinary demand.
Captain Daniel L. Howell, Of the Sew
enth infantry, said the canned roast
beef was not pa1atable, but he believed
was nutritious and If cooked as a stew
would have been satisfactory. The men
generally complained about it. The re-
frigerated beef was good when not
spoiled and he had moi suspected the
use of chemicals.