The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1905-03-30
CAPT. DAY.
WAS A HERO
Died In the Philippines Was
Engaged to a Young
Lady Of Vinita.

States army AT Ddu nFduClSCO dn-
nounced to Mrs. Ella Dwinell, OF this
ciUy that the body Of her son Rolla
!, Gushing Dwinell, who died on the
Sefsland of Luzon, Philippine Islands,
April II, 1902, had arrived In San
Francisco and would be forwarded to
Charlotte for burial in accordance
with the order Of the war department
The body was removed from its form
er resting place Jan. il, arriving at
Charlotte this week At the
request Of his home lodge at
Vinita, /. IT,, the Odd Fellows Of this
city took the body ia charge, and the
burial services Of the order was given
at Maple Hill cemetery.
The life story Of Rolla @. Dwinsll
is as fascinating and full Of romantic
situations as the stories Of the knights
Of chivalry. From the moment he
took his position in the center OF The
stage at the age Of q years, until the
curtain dropped on the final scene,
there was action, always action, high
ly colored with patriotism, pathos and
romance.
He was son Of Llewellyn K. and
Ella G. Dwinell, OF Charlotte, and
was born there May 20, 1878. From a
child he had a taste for the military,
and he was always training a company
Of the neigoborhood boys His parents
settled in Colorado Springs, and he
remained with them until 1894, when
y he became possessed Of the desire to
60 away and depend entirely upon his
own resources, although his home
life had always been pleasant.
He went without his parents knowl-
. edge to Ardmore, /. T., where lie took
hthe name Of Richard G. Day, retain
ing his former initials. For years
and until his success was assured, his
parents heard nothing from him. At
Vinita he studied law and was ad-
mitted to the bar IN 1895 Then, IN
charge OF surveying party Of Eng
lish and French he went from Ard
more to Central America, surveying
along the route Of the Panama canal.
His interest and faith in the canal
project was unbounded, but he was
taken seriously Ill and he was CON-
PEELED to return, hoping, however, to
soon 20 back to his work in Central
America. But his III health was 50
long continued that he was obliged to
abandon this idea, as the country
they we're obliged to traverse in their
surveying expeditions, was, to use his
own language, "No place for white
man.
In 1898, upon the breaking out Of
the Spanlsh-American war, he enlisted
4 under Col. Leonard Wood and re
ceived his commission as second lieu
tenant Of Company l. First United
States cavalry, rough riders. a large
per centage or this comprnY consisted
Of half-breeds aud Indians Going
Immediately to the front, it took part
in the first engagement where Captain
Allyn Capron, OF Company L was
killed, and the hrst lieutenant
being disabled, Lieutenant DwInell
was placed In command Of his CON-
pany.
In the lighting at San Juan Hill he
was seriously wounded IN the shoul-
der and was seut to the hospital at
Siboney, from whence he was about to
be startedshome on the hospital ship,
when he ran away aud went back TO
his company at Santiago.
President Roosevelt, In his mem oirs
Of this battle. pays high tribute to
the bravery and efficiency Of Lieuten-
ant Dwinell, and at the time Of his
death he was in possession Of many
personal letters from the president
He returned with his regiment to
Moutauk Point in September ls9s,
where he received his commission as
captain OF his company, and was mus
tered out.
In July, 1899, he enlisted in the
United States Volunteers for work ia
the Philippines. He sailed for the
Islands on Sept. Is. 1919 In Novem.
Der Of the same year he was made
brigadler commlssary on Gen. Fun
ston's stafIand served until June 30
1901 in that capacity, at which time
Nls A a - Ia4I..
his appointment as treasurer Of the
province og Nueva Eciia, with head.
quarters at San Isldro.
He was engaged to a handsome and
accomplished young lady Of Yinita,and
they were 60 have been married ia the
iah Of 1902, but their dreams Of the
Time when they should meet In those
sunny, far-away islands, were never tc
A IA