Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1901-11-01
Twcntx-ninth Day.

During this day seven witnesses were
examined, and all told, some in n graphic
and interesting manner, of the Commo-
dOre's bravery under fire and his constant
thoughtfulness for his men during the
battle of Santiago. The evidence, while
tor the most part c%orroborative of that of
witnesses who have already been heard.
was enlivened by several brilliant pic
lures of the sea fight and the surrender
of the Spanish vessels.
The most important testimony of the
day WAS given by Correspondent Graham,
who not only told the story of the battle
but detailed two conversations at which
be was present, both of which will, it is
believed, be of considerable Importance
IN aiding the court in its conclusions.
One OF these conversations took place
Schley aboard the Brooklyn OH May 26.
the Spanish fleet was in Santiago har-
Dor. The witness swore that he heard
this whole conversation, and that he dis
tinctly heard Capt. Sigsbee tell the Com
modore that the Spanish fleet was not in
side the harbor. When Capt. Lemly
sought to show that at the time this con-
versation took place Capt. Sigsbee was
not aware that the witness was a news
paper man. Graham answered that this
was not a fact, and that on the day the
conversation took place he had given
Capt. Sigsbee a dispatch for transmits
sion to the Associated Press.
The other conversation testified to by
the witness was that between Capt.
Evans and Commodore Schley after the
fight. In this connection Graham said:
Il was in the Commodore's cabin ON
the Brooklyn on July 5, when the con-
versation took place. When Evans came
In the first thing lie said was, 'Schley,
did you see Jack Philip run away with
the TeSas:' and Commodore Schley said,
NO. neither did you.'"
, With reference to the Sigsbee CONVERSE
ton Oh the Brooklyn in front of Santiago
the witness said:
After Sigsbec had reached the quar-
'terdeck of the gangway he stopped, and
Commodore Schley said TO him: Have
we got EN-, S~igsbce:' The Captain said:
NO, they are not here. | have been here
for a week, and they are not here
we went aft. further back of the quar-
ter deck, and he continued the conversa-
ton. Commodore Schley said: Are you
sure they are not in there: He said: Il
have been very close to the harbor en-
trance two or three times. Capt. Cot
ton has been in and cut Il cable, and they
are not there
You heard Sigsbee say that?"
"Yes sir"
Lieut.. Simpson gave the most graphic
and interesting story OF the battle that
has yet been told from the witness stand.
He occupied n position in the forward
turrct during the fight and fired the first
gun. He described the approach of the
Oregon in the following language:
.1t was after the Maria Teresa had
dropped astern and we had only two ships
TO contend with. l got the cry that one of
the Spanish ships was OIL fire and head
ins for the beach. l tried to see her.
II looked back and could see nothing
for the smoke. Then l heard the cry
very shortly afterward, Another one is
on fire, heading for the beach, Between
shots l looked back again, and saw a
bow wave coming from the smoke, fol-
lowed almost Immediately by two thir-
teen-inch guns. 1t was the Oregon. She
was then about off our starboard quarter.
I should say GOO yards. | called to the
men that the Oregon was with us, got a
cheer in reply and then the action con-
tinued, the Oregon firing also. AS the
Viscaya turned and headed off the Ore
gon fired one of her big guns.
II heard the Commodore say, He has
raled her and she is on fire. Signal to
Oregon to cease firing and through the
peepholes of my hood l saw Lieut.. Nc
Cauley climb on top of my turret with
the wis-wag flag, aud L could hear the
Tapping OF the flag. AS soon as the Wis.
caya turned in we ceased firing on her
and were allowed to come out of the tur.
rets for a breathing spell.'