The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1900-01-12
EVENTS Of
IHE PAST YEAR.
A Review of 1899 For
History's Page.
WARS SAD DETAILS.
Battles In the Philip
pines and In Africa.
A LONG DEATH ROLL.

Destruction by Fire, Shipwreck,
Accidents and Storms-A Notable
Obituary List-Miscellaneous, Per-
sonal, Sporting and Political Items.
A Summary Of Important Occur
rences Arranged Consecutively
From January to December.
The chronicles of 1899, although COM
paratively free from startling records,
nevertheless show the year to have
been one which will be remembered in
history. Our country's problems have
been unusual. Cuba, under military
rule, remained quiet, and considerable
progress has been made in bringing
social and commercial order out of
chaos. Samoan troubles reached a
crisis, and England has displayed an
inclination to withdraw, leaving the
field to the United States and Ger
many.
In the Philippines the policy Of the
United States to assert the rights ced-
ed by Spain was resisted by a large
element in the island of Luzon espe-
cially, and state Of active warfare
between American troops and the Fill
pinos, under Aguinaldo, extended from
February until the early fall. No de-
cisive battles were fought, but the Fill
pinos were routed at many important
points. The United States forces in the
island at the close of the year number
$4,000 and the battle losses aggregate
about 1900 killed and wounded.
The treaty with Spain, ratified in
1899, marks new era in the history Of
the United States republic. That and
the outbreak of the South African war
are the chief occurrences Of the year in
international affairs.
A universal peace congress held ses.
sions at The Hague in May, June and
July, but the deliberations bore no i'm
mediate fruit either in bringing about
disarmament or establishing the prin-
ciple of arbitration. The close of the
year finds England at war in the Su-
dan and South Africa and on the de-
fensive against continental aggression.
The Dreyfus trial was the sensation
of the year. Santo Domingo's presi-
dent, General Heureaux, was assassi-
mated. Colombia and Venezuela have
been disturbed by armed revolutions.
The United States standing army was
increased to 100000 men.
Noted minor occurrences Of the year
were the failure of the old publishing
firm of Harper & Bros, the burning Of
the Windsor hotel in New York, with
heavy loss of life, and the deaths Of
many illustrious people.
In the political world death chose as
shining marks Caprivi, the successor
of Bismarck as chancellor Of the Ger
man empire; Faure, president Of
France; Castelar,, the foremost Repub-
lican of Spain; Vice President Hobart,
and Grand Duke George, heir to the
Russian throne.
Literature mourns the loss of Erck-
mann, the great novelist; Mrs. South
worth, Horatio G. Alger, the writer Of
boys stories; Cherbuliez, French ro-
mancer and critic, and Busch, biog-
rapher of Bismarck. Art lost Rosa
Bonheur, unriyaled in her sphere
Among editors who laid down the pen
forever were Joseph Medill, founder
of the Chicago Tribune, and Robert
Bonner.
From other walks of life the grim
reaper bore away Stephen ]. Field. the
noted jurist; Robert Ingersoll. General
Guy V. Henry. hero of two wars; Kate
Chase Sprague, wartime belle; w. H.
Appleton. the old time publisher; EN-
ma Waller and Augustin DAILY of the
stage. Judge Henry Hilton, heir to A.
T. Stewards millions. and Cornelius
Vanderbilt, head of the family fortunes
and power.
The aggregate Of casualties on sea
and land and the losses by fire were
not exceptional.
JANUARY.
1. Political: End of Spanish sovereignty In
Cuba; military command formally transferred
to the American governor.
4. Spanish War: Treaty of peace delivered to the
U. S. senate.
Obituary: NJ. Edouard Herve, noted French writ
and of the immortals, in Paris; aged
IS. Minnie Alice French, well known actress,
in New York city.
8. Mrs. Bloomfield Moore, wealthy Philadel-
phan identified with the Kelly motor, died in
London.
6. Explosion: men killed and 40 injured by the
bursting of boiler at Hewetts shipyards in
London.
g. Accident: 16 deaths in collision at Dunellen,
n. j., on the Lehigh Valley road.
10. Obituary: Dr. Horace Burr. historian and
linguist, at Wilmington, Del; aged 50.
IL. Fire: At Memphis; loss $450,000, by the
burning of the ]. s. Menken Co.'s dry goods
establishment.
Personal: Commissary Gen. Egan attacked Gen.
Miles in his testimony before the investigating
committee.
L. Obituary: Nelson Dingley, Republican leader
in the house, in Washington; aged 81.
IA. Nubar Pasha, noted Egyptian statesman, died
in Paris.
Shipwreck: British ship Adelina went down in
port at Tacoma; IL sailors drowned.
ID Obituary: George Gemunder of worldwide
fame as maker of yiolins. at Long Island