The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-04-10
HEROINE OF SANTIAGO.
Daughter of General Wheeler Visits the
CAPITAL.

Capital.
From the Chicago Chronicle.
Miss Annie Early Wheeler has re-
Gently been in Washington, where she
has been been received everywhere
with the interest and distinction her
services in the Spanish war have
merted.
After reading of the heroic endurance,
the forttude and the sublime sacrifice
which, during the memorable campaign
of last summer, earned for Miss Wheel
er the title of 1.-The angel of Santiago"
one is surprised on meeting her to find
what a gentle, almost fral-looking girl
she is in reality. Certainly the slender,
graceful figure, the golden brown hair,
appealing big dark eyes and dainty
complexion, combined with the most
exquisite good breeding and most
charming of manners, seem better fitted
for the drawing room than the inter-
mingling with those scenes from which
even the boldest and most hardened
are tempted to shrink. And yet all
over the county to-day there are thou
sands to testify they owe their lives
to this same slender. tenderly nurtured
girl, and that among all the volunteer
nurses of the recent war there was none
more faithful, untiring and successful
than she.
Miss Wheeler, with no previous train
ing for her arduous undertaking, en-
gagged in her noble work because, as
she modestly said, " My father and
brothers had gone If l remained at
home l had no alternative but to spend
the time at a summer hotel, my heart
continually aching for some news from
the front 1t was to be near those I
loved in case of need l first went to
Santiago. Afterward the knowledge
of what was required by others seemed
to come to me of itself" On reaching
Cuba her fears were realized by find
ing her eldest brother, Capt. Joseph
Wheeler. jr., i'll of yellow fever. Hav-
ing nursed him back to life she devoted
her attentions ito his suffering COM
rades. But it was not among the off,
GERS of the corps this true-hearted
daughter of the South felt her mission
called her. These she found already
sufficiently we'll cared for, and so she
took the poor, neglected private SOL
diers, both black and white. for her
special charge. 1t was into her sympa-
thetic ear that they poured forth their
heartsick longings; it was she who re-
vived their fainting courage, and she,
when all proved of no avail who re-
ceived the dying messages and sent
them forth in tenderly worded letters
to the anguished wives and mothers at
home.
Miss Wheeler connected herself with
the R6Q NTOSS, anu lie value VI itl
service was so quickly realized she was
almost Immediately placed at the head
of the Santiago hospital. In all her
labors she had the hearty encourage
ment and assistance of Miss Clara Bar
ton. She also speaks in the highest
gratitude Of the help afforded by the
Philadelphia relief committee, without
whose generous donations her pest
directed efforts would have been fruit
less From Santiago Miss Wheeler fol-
lowed her wounded to Montauk Point,
again earning the gratitude and re-
spectful alteration of all with whom she
came in contact, included among her
patients being men of every age. ma
tionality and profession.
Miss Wheeler's own state, Alabama,
was appreciative Of her services, and
she has recently received a copy of
the following resolutions passed by its
legislature:
"Whereas, Alabama's beloved daugh-
| ter, Miss Annie Early Wheeler. in
| spired by patriotism, saw fit to follow
| the invading army of our government
| into Cuba and there did minister to the
sick and comfort the dying soldiers
amid the horrors of war and dread of
| plague; therefore, be 1t
Resolved, by the house, the senate
| concurring, The state of Alabama
thanks, and the same be and are here
by. extended by Alabama's general as
sembly to this noble woman for her
brave deeds and exemplified devotion
to her country"
At Montauk Point occurred the trag-
edy which cast such a sad blight upon
the domestic life Of the patriotic little
circle of father, son and daughter. who
had sacrificed all at their country's
! need The sudden death of her brilliant
young brother revealed new size OF
Miss wheeler's character. a deeply re-
ligious and poetic phase, which was re-
veaIed in the beautiful and pathetic
verses called forth from the depths of
sorrow by the distressing event.