The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1899-05-05

mitted that the story was a good one
for newspaper use but he belonged tC
the hatchet family and had to tell the
truth when asked about it. In regard
to his Annapolis appointment the place
was first offered to JudgeHibbard's son
of Chelsea who declined it and then
through correspondence of friends 1t
was rendered him and accepted. In
commenting on some of the fictitious
anecdotes about him he said that it did
little good to try to stop them, for lie
will travel across the Connecticut river
before truth can get its boots on to
give chase. The Captain said he was
always backward in making speeches.
During his school days in Bradford he
used to play truant on declama-
tiOn day so afraid was he to speak.
He was ready to endure almost any
punishment or shame to get rid of that
school duty. His occupation was a
sailor and he never had to make
speeches. The hardest thing of all
was to thank those who were kind to
you.
The scholars of the lower rooms
then shook hands with Capt. Clark
and returned to their studies. John
ME Strong, one of the primary school
children, handed the Captain bou-
quet with the words, "Here's a bou-
quet for you, Capt. Clark" The Cap
tain took the flowers and gave the
little fellow kindly "thank you"
These flowers, two or three pussy will
lows and a geranium blossom, went
back with the Captain to the hctel and
they probably pleased him more than
many of the beautiful bouquets he has
received. The High school scholars
gathered around the Captain to ask
questions. For nearly an hour he told
them about the famous trip of the Ore
gOn and the battle of Santiago. He
left San Francisco March 10Th, two
days after he had taken command of
the Oregon. Two other ships he soon
left behind as they were too slow.
At Bahia, 700 miles from San Francis
co, he telegraphed the government
and received instructions to continue
the trip as he thought best. Thus
using his own judgement he continued
the trip around the Horn, now famousl
the world over, arriving at Key West
May Goth, Santiago May 3ist and tax
ing part in the battle there July Sd.
Capt. Clark was on the board that eX-
amined the Oregon, prior to the gov
ernments accepting it and he knew
pretty we'll what to expect of it. This
gave him great confidence in it's abili-
ty to stand long voyage at forced
speed. When asked if he expected TO
meet the Spanish fleet he said the idea
was never out of his mind. His belief
was that they were bound for the West
Indies and might attempt to head off
the Oregon. He did not expect that
the Oregon could cope successfully
with the whole Spanish fleet. He was
confident that his ship would badly
cripple the enemy's fleet, probably
sink some of the vessels, but would
come out of the fight badly used up
itself. He was not very anxious to
meet whole opposing fleet IN battle
but if he did meet them he knew his
shi p and his men we'll enough to eX.
pect the best possible work from them.
The department wired him that he
could stop at Brazil if he thought best
but he was determined to bring the
Oregon to Uncle Sam territory where
he thought it was needed. AT Barba-
does the information reached him that
Spanish authorities were trying to To-
cate the Oregon. Fearing that some
word might reach the Spanish Admir-
al concerning the Oregon's movements
he decided on a little maneuver to
puzzle them. Just before dark he had
barges come alongside to unload coal.
When it became dark he told the coal
merchants not to worry about their
pay, that the United States was good
for it, weighed anchor and sailed west
ward toward Martinique. The boat
had only gone short distance when
the lights were put out, a sharp turn
took it around the islands and the
Spaniards were as puzzled as ever con-
cerning the location of the Oregon.
At Rio plot had in all probability
been planned by some Spaniards
to blow up the Oregon. Twenty
bombs were found. They may have
intended to put them in the coal that
was taken on there, or some other plan
of destruction may have been planned.
Rio was a friendly and neutral port
but Capt. Clark was good deal wor-
RED while there.
Everyone knows in what splendid
condition the Oregon reached Key
West, how it rushed off to join the
fleet at Santiago and what wonderful
execution 1t did in the destruction of
Cervera's s vessels. Capt. Clark answer
ed few questions concerning this ia
nous battle. The battle began at 9.25
a. m. A ship was seen coming down
at the left entrance to the harbor. At
first he thought it was a dispatch boat
but in second a military mast came
in sight and it was evident that Cerve-
ra was making an attempt to escape.
The electric bells sent forth the order
to clear the ship for action and be
ready for duty Every ship was ready
for battle in very short time and
waiting to give Cervera cordial well
come. AS the Spanish fleet came out
of the harbor it presented beautiful
sight, a formidable display, and it
seemed as if it would be hard work to
vanqulsh them. These ships looked
proud and brave as they plowed
through the water in their mad
break for liberty. The Oregon first
fired a six-pounder. The American
vessels lost no time in sending shells
after the Spaniards. 1t seemed good,
Capt. Clark said, to have company in
giving battle to a fleet that they had
once expected to meet alone. 1t
wasn't an especially desirous situation,
one vessel against whole fleet.
The reason that the Spaniards fired
over the American ships was that when
they came out of the harbor they had
the gun sights set at 5000 yards, the
distance thew suDDosed thew were from