The Butte inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1901-1912, 1901-09-18
HAS SPAINARD'S EAR
s'DOC" MELVIN HAS A SANGU1N-
AIRY CURIO.
A STORY OF THE LATE WAR
Stranger Sells Gruesome Curio for a
Paltry Sum-Spins Yarn That
Was Well Worth the
Price.

DOC" Melvin. who halls from Sand
Coulee in the northern part of the state,
arrived in town yesterday for the pur-
pose, he says, of looking over Butte real
estate.
Doc has in his possession a human
ear, which, SO he told a reporter for the
Inter Mountain, was cut from a Spanish
captain in the late war. Its history
and the manner in which it came into
the doctors possession, is an interesting
story.
Two years ago DOC" was sitting in
the rotunda of the Palmer house, Chi
cago, engaged in looking over his mall
A man of unassuming appearance, quite
fashionably attired, took a seat beside
him, and soon opened a conversation on
politics. Later the stranger led the sub
ject adroitly around to incidents of the
Spanish conflict. After sew,
eral stories Of the struggle had been
related by each. the newcomer abrupt
ly said:
ITO look at me, sir, you wouldn't sup
pose that financially I was in dire dis
tress. would your"
"Such Is the case, however," continued
the speaker. 1.-TWO weeks ago, and
had in bank $4,000; today I haven't q
cent, nor do know where to get it. The
gambling habit, to which I have been
addicted through the better part Of my
life, is the cause Of my present mis-
fortune. have absolutely nothing in my
possession that I could exchange for a
silver dollar, except, perhaps. a souvenir
that 1 obtained in one Of the engage
ments of the war. For it would gladly
accept IS. It is human ear"
At this Docs" professional instinct
was aroused. and he regarded the strang-
er with something more of interest. He
asked him what he meant.
WELL" replied the other. lit is con.
siderable Of a story. A day or so ago,
ear for $4,000: no. nor for twice that
sum.
1.-The ear came into my possession this
way. But first I should inform you that
I am English and Spanish extraction, my
father having entered Madrid early in
the COS. where he fell in love with about
the first woman he met eventually my
mother. She had but two children, my
brother and myself. l being the older Of
the two. Shortly after the birth Of my
brother my mother died. and my father
survived the death of his wife but a
little longer. so that we were at an
early age thrown upon our own re-
sources. My brother remained in Mad
rid, where he engaged in business.
myself came to America. and in this
country have lived for a good many
years, making and unmaking fortunes
as time went on. but never succeeding
in laying up anything for the proverbial
rainy day. Three years ago I sailed
for Madrid to visit my brother, not hav-
ing seen him since our first separation,
and spent two months or more with him
self and family before I started on my
return.
"At the breaking out of hostilities I
enlisted with Colonel Roosevelt. serving
throughout the entire war. At the bat
tie Of Santiago, during the fierce rush
up San Juan, was one of the foremost
to reach the crest Of the hill. AS we
neared the Spanish fortress. the fire,
which had been whitening In its inten-
sity. dwindled to but a few desultory
flashes. Within short distance of the
object of our attack these lessened to
a shot, which came from a corner of
the building, as though one lone soul
intended to remain faithful to his charge
to the last, and die in the cause. If need
be, Of that country which was clearly
so dear to him.
''The subject of souvenirs had been
much commented upon among the men,
bers of our company, some having OBJ
tanned sword, some pistol, another
gun, while still others had gone farther
and secured some part Of the human
anatomy. With me it was question of
securing Spanish ear, and the oppor-
tunity to do this thought had now pre-
scented itself, could but reach first the
reckless Spaniard, who still stood, fight
ing like a fiend.
1.-The thought had barely had time to
cross my mind, when I saw him leap
from his hiding place and start to run
for a clump of cactus at the approach
of the jungle beyond. Instantly raised
my rifle and fired. bringing down the
Spaniard dead in his tracks. 1 cut across
in front of my comrades. whipped out T.
knife, and severed one of the dead mans
ears with a blow; holding it aloft, I
shouted to the boys to behold my trophy.
Then I looked down at the upturned,
staring face of-my brother"
"I'll take that ear" said "DOc"