The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1899-12-29
GENERAL LAYTON SHOT.
Dies on Firing Line, n Victim To Bullet OF
filipino Shnrpshooter.

Dies on Firing Line, n Victim To Bullet OF
Filipino shnrpsbooter.
MANILA, Dec. 20.-Major General
Henry W. Lawton has been shot and
killed at San Mateo. He was standing
in front OF his troops, was shot in he
breast and died Immediately.
General Lawton started from Manila
last night with cavalry under Captain
Lockett and battalions or the Twenty
fifth and Twenty-seventh infantry I'M
der Lieutenant Colonel Sargent, for
the purpose of capturing San Mateo.
where Geronomo was said to have 30O
insurgents.
General Lawton left home Monday
night and had returned from his north
ern operations Saturday to lead an ex-
petition through Marlquina valley,
which has been an insurgent strong
hold throughout the war. The valley
had several times been invaded, but
never held by the Americans. General
Geronomo was supposed to lave there
the largest organized force north or
Manila and General Otis wished to
garrison Mariquina. The night was
one of the worst of the season. A Ter
rife rain had begun and is still con-
tinuing.
ACCOMPANIED by his staff and Troop
|. Fourth cavalry, General LaWton SET
out at 9 o'clock in advance OF the main
force. consisting Of the Eleventh cav
alry and one battalion each OF the
Twentieth and Twenty-seVenth lnfan-
try. which started from La Iona at
midnight. With a small escort he LED
the way through an almost painless
country. a distance of fifteen miles over
hills and through canebreak 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 at 8 O'Clock
and a three hours fight ensued. This
resulted in but few casualties on the
American side apart from the death OIL
General Lawton, but the attack was
difficult because of the natural detensSS
of the town.
General Lawton was walking along
the firing line within 800 yards OIL d
small sharpshooters' trench, consplcu-
ous in the big white helmet he always
wore and a light yellow ralncoal.
He was also easily distinglshaDle
because of his commanding stature.
The s~harpshooters directed several
close shots, which clipped the grass
nearby. His staff officers called Heh-
eral Lawton's attention to the danger
he was in, but he only laughed WIN
his usual contempt for bullets.
Suddenly he exclaimed, Il am shot"
clenching his hands in a desperate Ell
fort to stand erect. and fell INTO the
arms of a staff officer.
Orderlies rushed across the field LOT
surgeons, who dashed up inmediately'
but their efforts were useless. n
body was taken to a clunlp OF busSes
and laid upon a stretcher, he famll-
lar white helmet covering h face or
the dead general.
Almost at this momen. the cheers
of the American troops rushing n
San Mateo were minglins with the
rifle volleys.
After the fight six stalwart cavalry
men forded the river to the town, car
rying the litter on their shoulders, the
staff preceding with the colors and a
cavalry escort following.
The troops filed b~areheaded, through
the building where the body was laid
and many a tear fell from the eyes OF
men who had long followed the intrep-
id Lawton. The command was strick-
en- with grief, as though each man had
suffered a personal loss.
Owing to the condition of the coun-
try, which is impossible 80 far as We
hicles are concerned, the body could
not be brought to Manila today. Mrs.
Lawton and the children are living in a
government house.