The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-06-18
Famous Cuban Patriot Sue
cumbs After Long Illness
WAS WORSHIPEO BY CUBANS
Aged Chieftain Had Been Ill for Many
Days and 1t Was Feared He
Could Not Sur
vive.

Havana, June 1Z-General Maxine
Gomez died at 6 o'clock this evening.
''El Caudillo' (chieftain), as the great
leader of revolutions was called by his
country, expired at sunset In the pres
ence of his family and his old time friend,
Estrada Palma, president of the republic.
The end came quietly in the beautiful
temporary home at the sea side suburb
Of Vedado, to which General Gomez was
taken on his return from Santiago.
Palma, accompanied by General Andrade,
arrived about quarter of an hour pre-
vious to the death of General Gomez.
Heart Weakened Steadily.
The distinguished patients heart had
weakened steadily since o'clock in the
morning and failed to respond to stimu-
lants. His real illness extends over forty
six days although his health had been
falling for months prior to that time.
General Gomez originally suffered from
debilitation of the heart and liver. Later
an abscess developed in his hand which
was operated on. He rallied so slowly
from this that mass meetings that had
been arranged by the liberal fusionists in
east Cuba, in his honor were abandoned.
The admiration of the mass of Cubans
for General Gomez amounted almost to
idolatry. His death admittedly is a Sc
we're blow to any political interest to
which he was allied. He was one of the
most radical leaders of the national party
He had allied himself with the liberal
fusion movement but a split came during
his sickness and 1t was generally thought
he would have Joined Governor Nunez
and other dissenters in upholding the old
nationalist organization.
General Gomez leaves widow, five sons
and one daughter.
Only today the. secretary of the treas
ury delivered to one of General Gomez's
sons a check for 100000, which had been
voted unanimously by congress for the
generals benefit and approved by Pres-
dent Palma. This was In addition to the
$4,000 previously voted by congress.
Operataion for Gangrene.
In May last Gomez underwent an opera
ton which was the result of the spread
Of gangrene on his hand. For a time
life was despaired of and his family
were summoned to Santiago, but the Gem
eral recovered sufficiently to be moved
to his home in Havana. Until the morn
ing of June 49, General Gomez showed
signs of improvement and hope We're
entertained that the end might be post
poned for considerable period. But from
that time on the General failed until
the end came.
General Gomezs last public appearance
was at Havana, March 49, last. on the
occasion of the visit of the American
squadron. He was the first speaker at
the luncheon given to the American Of
ficers and he eulogized the United States
sacrifices in behalf of Cuba, adding that
the Cubans would not forget their obliga-
tions to the great republic whose sons
had made possible all that. Cuba had
accomplished
One of the sons of General Gomez.
known to his friends as Panchto Gomez,
was killed in December, 1S9s when Cen
eral Maceo met his death in an ambuseade
near Havana.
Not of Impressive Appearance.
General Gomez was about five feet five
inches in height, of spare build, and al
though he carried himself erect, he was
not of an impressive appearance, though
his deeply bronzed face and snow white
hair, and mustache gave him a thorough
~ military look. He was very strict
disciplinaran. His word was law and he
enforced 1t with an iron hand.
There is some uncertainty as to the year
and month Of his birth, some reference
books placing it at November IS, 1896 and
others at August 25 1926
General Gomez, who commanded the
Cuban forces during the insurrection
which broke out In 1895 and ended with
the complete independence of the island
on May 20, 1902. was born at Bani, Santo
Domingo. in 1895. according to one ac-
count 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 bat
tie of Tome, in which with twenty men
he routed much superior force of the
Haytians.
When the Spaniards were driven from
the island Gomez went with the Spanish
troops to Cuba, and for time was in
garrison at San Domingo. Later, disgust
ed at the manner in which the Spanish
general. Villar, treated some starving
Cuban refugees. for whom Gomez had
collected funds. the young lieutenant sew
cred his connection with the Spanish
army.
Struck General VilIar.
He became so enraged at General Viii
lars conduct that he struck the gem
eral called him coward and from that
time became a bitter enemy of Spain
He joined the patriots in the insurrection
of 1866 and fought ten years, being Gu
ban commander-in-chief from 1873 to 1875
succeeding General Agramonte on the lat
ters death. As a guerrilla commander he
was unexcelled, and with President Ces-
pedes and Agramonte captured Bayamo,
Tumas, Jiguani and Holquin. In Puerto
Principe later General Gomez was known
as THE Terror" on account of the many
defeats he inflicted on the Spaniards.
When in 1878 Marshal Martinez de Cam
pos succeeded in persuading the Cuban
leaders to make terms of peace, Gomez
withdrew to Jamaica, and then went back
to Santo Domingo. where he lived quietly
on a farm until the Cuban revolution in
1895. His exploits during the war of
independence are we'll known He com