The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-06-18
The Old Soldier Passes
to Eternal Rest.
LIFE OF A BRAVE MAN
Once in SPANS Service, He Left 1t
Because Of Spanish Cruelty and
Led the CubanS in Their
Gallant Struggle For
Liberty.
(By the Associated Press

Havana, June 17.-General Maxine
Gomez died at o'clock this evening
General Maxine Gomez, who com
manded the Cuban forces during the
instruction which broke out in 1895
and ended with the complete indie
pendenCe of the island when on May
20, 1902, the control of Cuba was for
mally transferred to the new Cuban
government. was born at Benz, Santo
Domingo, in 1926. and came of Span
ish family. He began life as cavalry
officer in the Spanish army in Santa
Domingo and served during the last
occupation of Santo Domingo by
Spain. In the war with Hayti Gomez
distinguished himself at the bottle of
Tome when with twenty men he rout-
ed much superior force of Haytians
When the SpaniardS were driven from
the island Gomez went with the Span
ish troops to Cuba, and for a time was
in garrison at Santigo. Later, being
Disguised at the manner in which the
Spanish General Nillar treated some
starving Cubans refugees for whom
Gomez had collected funds, the young
lieutenant severed his connection with
the Spanish army. He became so en-
rageu at General NiIlar's conduct that
he struck the general, called him a
coward and from that time became d
bitter enemy of Spaiu. He Joined the
patriots in the insurrection Of 1868
and fought ten years being Cuban
commander chief from 1873 to
1878, succeeding General Agramontc
on the latters death. AS a guerrilla
commander he was uncxccllcd.
When in 1873 Marshall Martinez De
Campos succeeded in pcrsuadinC the
Cuban leaders to make terms of peace
Gomez withdrew to Jamaica and then
went back to Santo Domingo, where
he lived uietly on farm until the Gu
ban revolution of 1895 broke out. and
Joseph e.. Marti had been proclaimed
president. His exploits during tho wa
of independence are we'll known. From
Holgiun. in the northern part of the
province of Santiago De Cuba. where
Gomez and Marti landed with fifty
well armed men from yacht Gomez
fought his way inch by inch up to the
gates of Havana and into the prov,
incc of Pinar Del Rio, frequently cross
ing Spanish troches or military walls
when they were looked upon as i'm
passable. Re completely outgenerall-
ed Marshalls De Campoa and Weyler,
victory after victory under the
most diSadVantageouS conditions
though at times he was a very sick
man.
In June 1902. Gomez was appointed
Inspector general of the Rural Guard
and commander of all tho Cuban mil
tia forces amounting in all to about
five thousand men.
In November 1908. the Cuban gov
presented Gomez with the
sum of $4,000 in recognition of his
and in celebration of his six
ty-seventh birthday.
On June 18th last, the Cuban House
of Representatives unanimously APP
100000 for the benefit OF
Gomez.
In May last General Gomez under
as the result of the spread of gangrene
in an abcess on his hand. He was re-
moved to Havana.
There is some uncertainty as to the
year and month of his birth. some
reference books placing it at Novem-
Der IS. 1885, and others at August
Is, 1926.