The Pickens sentinel-journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1903-1906, 1903-08-20
ing, at general muster, will be re-.
ceived with much appreciation by
all classes Of citizens in this COL
ony.
THE "GLORlOUs FOuRTH.'
CELEBRATIONS IN COLOMBO.
TIE AMERICAN Consul
"AT HOMED

Saturday the 4th Of July, as our
readers are aware, was tho nation
al holiday Of the United States- of
America. The two American crpfs
sers, the "Albany" and the tACin-
c'nnati,' now in harbouEI celebra-
ted the day in true AMERICAN fash
ion, the roj"icings being thorough.
ly in keeping with the glorious
traditions Of the "Stars and
Stripes" The two vessels present-
cd gorgeous panorama of colour,
being covered with a wealth Of
flags and bunting from stem to
stern, Fl NJ S "Highnyer" was
also gaily decorated with flags and
ponnants, prominent among which
the stars and stripes foated proud.
ly in the breeze. Many of the
other vessels in the harbour also
had lavish displays Of flags and
the harbour wore a gala hold Y
appearance.
On Saturday last-the "Glori-
Our Fourth"-an appalling and
most deplorable accident occurred
at the Saluting Battery in the Fort.
The day was one which all Ameri-
cans and Enylishmen as we'll set
apart for uninterrupted enjoyment
and interchange Of national salu-
tes. 1t had been decided by the
Military Authorities in Colombo to
honour the Americans and their
cruisers now in port by firing a
salute of twcnty-one guns. Ac.
cordingly a detachment Of the 88th
Company of the Royal Garrison
Artillery marched to the Battery
and there commenced the saluting.
All went we'll until the 21st--and
last-gun was fired, when Gunner
/ Higgins placed q blank BIB.
charge of powder in the muzzlc Of
al old muzzle loading gun. The
charge, unfortunately, exploded q
little too SOON with the result that
Gunner Higgins was killed on tho
spot and Gunner Clark, who was
standing close to the muzzle, in
order to ram the charge home, was
also very severely injured.--so
much 50 that ho expired at 4 :45
p. M, the samo day. Prompt &C.
ton, however, was taken IN tho
matter, and the deceased as we'll as
the injured man were removed
quickly to tho Station Hospital,
where the latter was attended to
with the utmost care. 1T proved
Of no avail, however, for just as tho
funeral party were marching out Of
the Barrack Square with the re.
mains of the unfortunate Gunner
Higgins it was reported that Gun
ner Clarke had also expired.
Tho Americans, who had looked
forward to an enjoyable day, and
had fixed their Sports Regatta and
Officers "At Home" for the after
noon, unanimously abandoned all
enjoyment out of respect for the
men who had died whilst doing
them honour. In this connection
it must be mentioned that tho flags
and oil signs of decoration that
were seen in the early morning
were Immediately taken down, and
almost every American sailor who
had q chance of coming ashore, as
well as all the liberty mon already
ashore, were present at the cemc-
terry. One Of tho latter, aftor the
funeral rites were over, placed q
beautiful wreath on the grave-an
act which was gratefully appro-
ciatod by their British cousins.
| Gunner Higgins was young
man, % years of age and had served
in the Regiment for only four years
and nine months. He was popular
In his Company aud the number
of his comrades who fell in quite
spontaneously to participate In the
funeral obsequies was quittee qte
enough t, prove his popularity.