The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-02-16
THE Maine ANNIVERSARY
An Event of Historical Note Unob-
served in Washington.
Captain Sigsbcc Comments Upon the
Observation-Disclosures Regret Mt BE-
the Nartyred Dcad-A Tribute to
the Memory of "BiiI'' ANTHONY.

| Yesterday marked the second anniver
sary Of the destruction of the battleshiI
\ Maine. destroyed in Havana Harbor al
$40 O'Clock on the night of February 10
| 1898. There we're no services of any kind
! in Washington in commemoration of tht
tragedy, though such services were held
| in Chicago and several other Weserr
cities. where clubs have been formed &c
/ do honor TO the memory of the men who
were killed in the explosion.
Secretary Long received box of flow
ers from a Mrs. Shillington, CT Chicago,
whose son was one OF the crew Of the
Maine and lost his life in the explosion.
The flowers were accompanied by a letter
requesting that they be placed on the
graves of the Maine dead in Arlington
Cemetery. The request WIS complied with.
Capt. Charles D. Sigsbee. who CON-
! manded the Maine when she was destroy
ed is now in charge of the Bureau of In
telligence in the Navy Department. 81
would liked to have visited the graves Of
my old crew at Arlington today said Cap
tain Sigsbee yesterday, but my leg. which
l sprained several weeks ago. will not per-
nit me to get about much, so had to give
up the idea
"A year ago today was at sea. between
Havana and Galveston, Tex. and hence had
no opportunity of paying any tribute to
the memory OF the Maine dead. | had
been invited to attend the ceremonies at
Havana. but had TO sail before the 18th.
had invitations from Chicago and one
or two other Western cities to attend sery-
ices held today in honor of the anniver
sary. but had to write them that l was
unable to attend.
Poor old Bill Anthony. His death
was very sad. He was a fine fellow, but
when he tried to fight the battle of life
out of the marine service or the Army, he
found he had been so long in the service
that he knew nothing of the ways Of the
outside world and could not get along. /
have been told that Anthony refused to
use the fact that he was Bill Anthony to
help him secure employment; he never
succeeded. became Respondent. and ended
it all.
The two years that have gone by since
the explosion have never changed my be-
lief that the Maine explosion came from
an outside agency. and If the vessel is
ever raised | believe that that belief will
be confirmed. ! understand there have been
some propositions made to the Navy De-
partment to raise the Maine. but what
action VIII he taken on them 1 am unable
TO say. As the vessel lies now, she is no
way menace to vessels going in and out
Of the hsrbor and she could remain there
for years without interfering with the COM
merce of Havana.
The Maine explosion has been recalled
to my mind almost daily ever since it oc-
CURED by the receipt Of letters from per-
sons interested in it in one way or the
other. Every day l have been where /
could receive mail from one TO a dozen
letters have reached me, and when l return
to port from a cruise large share OF my
mail is from persons writing about the
Maine. Many of the letters are appeals
for aid from persons who lost relatives
in the explosion. and If i were 10 respond
to all the appeals it would require a sum
several times larger than my salary.
THE remnant Of the crew and officers
of the Maine are now scattered over the
entire Navy and / hardly know where any
of them are. though / cherish the warm
est affection for all who were under my
al the time OF that fearful catas-
trophe.