Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1899-12-20
LAWT0N DIED BRAVELY
Killed Laughing at Warnings
of Danger.
FELL INTO ARMS OF AN OFFICER.
His Body Carried Into San Mnteo, After
the Place Was Tnkcn-soldiers Mourned
His Loss-The President and secretay
Root Express Sorrow.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20.-The war do.
partment received the following official
confirmation of the killing of General
Lawton near San Mateo, Luzon:
"MASlI.A, Dec. 20.-General Lawton,
engaged in driving insurgents from San
Mateo section Of country, northeast OF
Manila, killed instantly at $3.50 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 Lawton was walking along
ihe firing line within 300 yards of a
small sharpshooters' trench, conspicu.
GUS III the big white helmet he always
wore and light yellow rain coat. He
was also easily distinguishable becau 70
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 ~ am shot. "
clenched his hands in desperate effort
to stand erect and fell into the arms of
a staff officer.
General Lawton left home Monday
night, having returned from his north.
ern operations Saturday, to lead an ex-
pedition through Mariquina valley,
which has been an insurgont strong.
hold throughout the war. The valley
has several times been invaded but
never held by the Americans. General
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
!, Fourth cavalry, General Lawton sct
out at 8 o'clock, i'll advance OF the main
force. consisting OF the Eleventh cav.
airy aud one Battalion each or the
Twentieth and Twenty-seventh iafan.
try, which started from La Loma ubuut
midnight. With small escort he led
the way through IN almost pttnloss
country, IA distance OF 10 miles. ovcr
nils and through cauebraku ans deep
mud. the horses climbing tine 20, a Euii
sliding down tho hills. BpIulu LLv.
break the command had rtuc.na ,..e
head of the valley.
San Mateo was attacked rs u Is
o'clock and three hours fight uns.uI.
This resulted IN but few casual. lea ~,
the American sido apart from the auati.
of General Lawton, but the attack was
difficult because OF the natural dciuuses
of the town.
Orderlies rushed across the ilol for
surgeons who later dashed up, but their
efforts were useless. The body was
taken to clump of bushes and laid
upon u stretcher, the familiar whito
helmet covering the face of the dead
general.
Almost at this moment the chcers of
the American troops rushing into SAN
Mateo were m!ngling with the rife vol.
leys. After the fight six stalwart cav.
alrymen forded the river to the town,
carrying the litter on their shoulders,
aud II cavalry escort following.
The troops filed bareheaded through
the building whore the body was laid,
and many u tear fell from the eyes Of
men who had long followed the i'll.
trepid Lawton. The entire command
was stricken with grief. as though each
man had suffered u personal loss. Ow-
ing to the condition of tho country,
which Is impossible 80 far as vehicles
are concerned, the remains could not be
brought to Manila yesterday. Mrs. Law.
ton ana the children are living in q gov
ernment residence formerly occupied by
q Spanish general.
San Mateo lies between high noun.
tain behind and broad, shallow stream
IN front, with wide sand bars which tho
insurgcnt trenches and the buildings
command. The Americans We're com.
PEELED to ford the river under fire. 1t
was while they We're lying in tho rice
folds and yolloying across preparatory
to passing the stream that General Law.
ton was shot. All except tho officers
were behind cover, A staff officer was
wounded about the same time and one
other oiiiccr ana seven men were
wounded.
After about three hours shooting the
liliplnos We're dispersed into tho noun.
tains. Colonel Lockett took command
when General Lawton fell.