The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-11-08
VETERAN MULES.
A Ship Load Of the Animals
Pass Through This
City.
ALL CAME FROM CUBA
One Big Gray Cuts Loose and
Almost Kicks Another
to Death

tain Charles Bierman Of Mantansas.
foot of Sixth street, was exceedingly
lively last night. The transport, Kilpat-
rick, with 44 army mules, under the care
of forty United States Army officers, from
Cuba, were landed to be placed on cars
of the Pennsylvania Railroad, en- route
for st. Annfs. st. Annis is about six
miles south Of Washington, D. c., and
is a corral for the horses and mules
owned by the United States Government.
The transport arrived in these waters
three days ago, and from that time until
she tied up to the dock at the foot Of
Sixth street, she was compelled to re-
main in Quarantine. The officers who
are in command of the vessel are..Cap-
tain Charles Bierman of Mantansas,
Lieutenant w. L. Mcdowell and Corporal
William Allen. The officers boarded the
transport from different points along the
Cuban coast. Captain Bierman, with his
detachment and mules. came aboard at
Mantansas, Lieutenant Mcdowell at Hay-
ana, and Corporal Allen at Santiago.
N,4en the news of the arrival of the
transport spread about the Horseshoe,
hundreds of people went to the abattoir
to watch the army officers land their
unique charge. A run from the main
deck of the Fitzpatrick was placed in po-
sition, n one by one the mules were
brought up from the lower deck and with
the solicitation Of a long whip were fore
ed down the run to the dock. The ami
mails, as they left the steamer, were put
in the pens set apart for cattle before
being killed. As soon as the last ami
-.zf ----- Il. -1- - ,-o
set about watering them. Hay and oats
were then given the animals. After the
mules had been fed those in charge, in
sections of ten, went to a Grove street
restaurant, where they looked out for
themselves.
Abou nine O'Clock, three trains, COM
posed of twelve cars each, of the Penn
s~ylvania Railroad, were backed down in
the sheds. The men in charge of the
mules then drove their charges on to the
cars. The scenes were very interesting
amusing. Frequently, the animals
kicked up and caused much laughter.
One big mule seemed to be very stub
born. He caused much trouble while en-
route to this city. When driven up the
plank to one Of the cars, the animal
kicked another, inficting a severe injury
The animal that had been kicked bled
profusely from several cuts on its head
and chest. A veterinary rye who
accompanied the transport, had to be
called to attend the injuries. One of he
mules slipped from the run leading to the
cars and broke its left leg. The animal
had to be shot.
After the mules had been put on the
trains. the officers had a few hours to
themselves
When a News" reporter visited the
scene, the men were enjoying themselves
smoking and telling funny stories. Cap
tain Bierman said.-
.sNe left CUBA about ten days ago,
bound for Brooklyn. The trip climate was
exceedingly rought; b tlrst day out an
hands were sick, but afterward we got
along all right. When we left Havana,
twelve prisoners sent to Governors
Island to serve their court marshal SEN
fences. were placed in our charge The
men. whose names | cannot RECALL, We're
convicted in Cuba of stealing I.4O0 from
the commissary department Wnen the
prisoners boarded the steamer they
promised to work and behave themselves
For that reason they were not put IN
irons. A ~eorporals guard composed OF
regular army men were constantly Watch-
Ing the prisoners. who were lets al Gov
sentenced to from ten months to two
years each"
sfWhen about $50 miles off the coast OF
Florida. between Mama and Palm Beach.
we met with great bereavement. One or
our men. an honorably discharged soldier
from the Eighth Infantry, U. S. ", was
taken sick, He had only been Ill a few
DAYS, when he died. His name was
George Powell. where he lived we could
not learn. The poor fellow was buried at
sea. After he was buried I searched MS
eTects, but we could not learn where ne
came from. He had but one letter ana
that was from a friend in Rhode Island.
/ Communicated with thar gentleman to-
dav. PoWelIss trunk will remain, IN our
possession until relatives or friends clam
it. All the clothing belonging to the DEAD
man was thrown over board Immediately
after the body had been disposed or
.The trip to this citYSthen went by with,
ont any serious results. Ten mules dled
on the way, but they were disposed OF
without any mourning
TIL train bearing the mules LETT Jersey
sCifyTat raidnieht. It will arrive at ST
Annis wednesday morning. Before leaving
ing this city Captain Bierman informed
the sNews'' reporter that the men under
him would leave for the PHILIPPINES as
soon az possible after the mules are put
in the government corral