Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1900-07-26
CAPTAIN LEARY.
A Strong and Picturesque Figure-His
Stormy Career.

stormy career.
Sa many varying and untrue stories
have been circulated about the recall OF
Capt. Richard p Leary, the first Amer
lean governor OF our new island pos
session. Guam, that the navy depart
ment has felt itself called upon to
print Captain Leary's letter asking
that this step be taken. Whatever
picturesque methods and high-sound-
ing phrases he may have used during
his period of almost autocratic sway
there, it is plain that the chief reason
for his recall is that his tour of what
is called "sea duty has practically ex-
PRED Leary undoubtedly did stir up
the friars as to their charges for mar
riage, and he proclaimed against servi-
tude, amounting to slavery, and
against intoxication, and various other
customs calculated TO debase those who
INDUCED in them. He also used many
lofty words to impress the easy going
natives with vivid idea of the great
ness of the American flag and the
United States as a nation. All this
made our first governor of Guam pic
turesuue.
But Captain Leary-Dick Leary, as
every one who knows him and thous-
ands who do not know him call him
is more than picturesque; he is posi-
lively rugged, always interesting and
never happier than when he scents the
atmosphere of strife. His career in
the navy has been one of turmoil. Few
men in the navy have more sturdy
friends or more bitter enemies among
his immediate fellows than Dick Leary.
Three times his name has been re-
moved from the roster. Twice it was
restored by the department after thor
ough investigation and review of the
circumstances under which it was re-
moved. Once it was restored by order
of congress.
Some of the naval officers have new
er forgiven Leary for that distinction.
His career in the navy has not been
bed of roses. He didn't get much of a
chance in the war with Spain Maybe
it was because there was a reluctance
to allow one with something of a re-
pute of daredevil to come to the
frnt, and it might have been that the
prejudice of others had some effect.
Just before the war came he had mad
another time of stress in the navy.
Some of his enemies suddenly discov-
cred that Leary was color-blind He
said it wasn't so and again he con-
founded his enemies, although it took
more than one examination to thor
oughly establish Leary's contention.
The anti-Learyites that time thought
they had him sure, but he passed his
examination for the captains grade,
did more or less obscure work in the
war, and now has won notoriety and
glory of certain kind in Guam.
Leary did one service for his country
In the latter part of the eighties in
Samoa which attracted a great deal of
attention, brought him the thanks
privately of president, secretary OF
state and a secretary of the navy, but
no official document of approval, and
when 1t was proposed to give him the
thanks of congress storm ragged about
him. He had resisted the aggressions
OF the German influence in Samoa and
had cleared his ship for action one day
when German warship threatened to
hre on some natives. His correspond
ence at that time, when he was beyond
reach of the government, was so Wig
orous that when it was transmitted to
congress certain sentences were cen
sored, probably for the good of con-
tinued pleasant relations with GER
tain foreign power.
If Leary had fired on that German
warship it would probably have
brought on war between the United
States and Germany 1t was tre-
mendous responsibility to put on a
lieutenant-commander. No officer of
his years and rank was ever placed in
such a position. He was unques-
tlonably right in his attitude.
Personally Leary is slight in physi-
que, quite in behavior, quick to wrath.
typical southerner in chivalry, an
ardent lover of his country, a man who
in war would rather fight than eat,
drink or sleep, and in peace would
rather devote himself to his real
friends than have any attention what
ever bestowed upon himself. No
matter where Dick Leary may be or
what he may do, it is safe to predict
that something will always be going
on there of especial nterest.-Franklin
Matthews in Harper's Weekly.