The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-06-18
CEN. GOMEZ 4 IS NO MORE Gangrene Takes Life Of
 Famous Character. AN INTERESTING HISTORY
Commanded Cuban Forces
 During InSurrecti0n.
Was Native of santo Domingo and Came of Spanish Family-Hon- ored by the United States
 Government.
Havana, June 17.-General Maxino Gomez died at o'clock this evening.

t1aNdndS June It.-OShOhdA 1aAAAthp Gomez died at o'clock this evening.
 General Maxine Gomez, who com manded the Cuban forces during the insurrection which broke out in 1895 and ended with the complete indepen- dence of the island on May 20. 1902, was born at Bani. Santo Domingo. in 1886, and came of a Spanish family He began life as a cavalry officer in the Spanish army in Santo Domingo and served during the last occupation of Santo Domingo by Spain. In the war with Hayti, Gomez distinguished himself at the battle of Tome, where with twenty men lie routed much su- perior force of Haytiens.
 When the Spaniards were driven from the island Gomez went with the Spanish troops to Cuba and for time was in garrison at Santiago. Later, disgusted at the manner in which the Spanish General Villar treated some starving Cuban refugees, for whom Gomez had collected funds. the young lieutenant severed his connection with the Spanish army. He became so en- ragged at General Villar's conduct that he struck the general. called him coward and from that time became bitter enemy of Spain.
 Work as Guerilla.
 He joined the patriots in the tnsur- rection of 1868 and fought ten years, being Cuban commander in chief from 1873 to 1878, succeeding General Agra monte on the latter's death. As guerilla commander he was unexcelled and with President Cespedes and Ag- ramonte captured Bayamo. Tumas, Ji- guani and Hulguin. In Puerto Prin- cipe later Gomez was known as the Terror" on account of many defeats he inflicted on the Spaniards.
 When in 1878 Marshal Martinez de Campos succeeded in persuading the Cuban leaders to make terms of peace, 1 Gomez withdrew to Jamaica and then went back to Santo Domingo, where he lived quietly on a farm until the Cu- l ban revolution in 1895. His exploits | during the war of independence are well known. He completely outgen- eraled Aarshals de Campos and Wey- I Ter, winning victory after victory nn- l der the most disadvantageous condi- tions and though at times very sick | man.
 After Cuba had obtained her inde- 1 pendenee there is no doubt that Gomez | could have been elected President, but | he refused to accept the nomination and would not enter politics and de- clined a pension. Gomez was of great service to the American authorities in 1 bringing about a settlement of the de- mands of the disbanded Cuban soldiers who were clamoring for arrears ot 1 pay In June, 1902, Gomez was ap- | pointed inspector general of the rural | guard and commander of all ts.e Gu | ban militia forces. amounting in all | to about 5000 men.
 In November, 1903, the Cuban Gov l ernment presented Gomez with the sum | of $50, 900 in recognition of his services | and in celebration of his 67th birth l day The general accepted the gift, | but would not draw any of the money | until all the veterans had been paid. On June 12 last the Cuban House of l representatives unanimously appropri- ated S1OOOoO for the benefit of General | Gomez.
 l Deadly Gangrene.
 | In May last General Gomez under l went at Santiago an operation as the result of spread of gangrene in an abscess on his hand. For a time his life 1 was despaired of and his family were summoned to Santiago, but the general recovered sufficiently to be moved to his home in Havana.
 Until the morning of June 16 General Gomez showed signs of Improvement l and hopes were entertained that the end might be postponed for a consid- erable period. but from that time on the general failed, until the end came
 General Gomezs last public appear ] anCe was dt 11dNdnd ldoly OH the occasion of the visit of the Ameri- can squadron. He was the first speak CT at the luncheon given to the Ameri- can officers and he euloglzed the United States sacrifices in behalf oi Cuba, adding that the Cubans would not forget their obligations to the | great republic whose sons had made possible all that Cuba had accom- plished.
 One of the sons of General Go. meg, known to his friends as PanchitC Gomez, was killed in December 1898 when General MaceO met his death 1T an ambIscade near Havana.
 General Gomez was about feet inches in height, of spare build and al though he carried himself erect he wal not of an impressive appearance though his deeply bronzed face ant snow-white hair and mustache gay, him a thoroughly military look. H. was a very strict disciplinarian. Hi word was law and he enforced it witt an iron hand.
 Taere Is some uncertainty as to tn, year and month of his birth. som, reference books placing it at Nov. IS 1S36, and others at Aug. 25. 1926.
 Died at Sunset.
 Fl Caudillo (Chieftain), as the grea , leader of revolutions was called b, his country, expired at sunset in in, |
 friend Estrada Palma, President of tn, , Republic. The end came quietly in tn , beautiful temporary home at the sea
 side in the suburb of Vededa. to whjcl General Gomez was taken on his re , turn to Havana. President Palma. ac companied by General Andrade, ar
 rived about a quarter of an hour pre- s vious to the death of General Gomez. ' The distinguished patients heart ha,
 weakened steadily since o'clock il
 the morning and failed to respond t
 stimulants His real illness extende | over forty-six days, although hi . health had been failing for month
 prior to that time.
 General Gomez originally suffere
 from debilitation of the heart an z liver. Later an abscess developed Ii
 his hand which was operated on. H
 rallied so slowly from this that mas
 meetings that had been arranged b
 the Liberal Fusionists in Eastern Cub
 in his honor were abandoned.
 The admiration of the mass of ct, ' hans for General Gomez amounted al ! l most to idolatry. His death admitted