Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-06-19
Passed Away Saturday
Evening at Havana.
Fought Fear|essly and Long to
Attain Liberty For Cuba.
Deposed as Army's Head-..In Want and
Helped by United States.

Havana, June 1S.-General Maxine
Gomez died at 6 o'clock, Saturday even
eng.
Eel Caudillo,' (chieftain) as the
great leader of revolutions was called
by his countrymen, expired just as the
sun was slanting across the gulf, in the
presence not only Of his family, but
also his old time friend, Estrada Pal
ma. President of the Republic.
The end came quietly in the beauti-
full temporary home at the seaside IN
the suburb of Vedado, to which Gen
eral Gomez was taken on his return
from Santiago. The dying man was
unable to recognize anyone. The dis
tinguished patients heart had weak
ened steadily since II o'clock in the
morning. and failed to respond to slim
rlants. Several times duling his long
illness General Gomez had shown re-
Operative powers that were astonish-
ing. His real illness extended over 46
days, although his health had been
failing for some months prior to that,
and he was not in Il strong condition
when he started on May / for San
tiagO with the object Of receiving Il
beneficial change.
The admiration OF the mass of
Cubans for General Gomez amounted
to almost idolatry. His death admit
tedly is a severe blow to any political
interest to which ne was allied. He
was one of the most radical leaders
of the national party. He had alliei
himself with the liberal fusion move
ment, but split came during his sick
ness and it was generally thought he
would have joined Governor Nunez and
other disSentcrs In upholding the old
nationalist organization.
General Gomez leaves widow, five
sons and one daughter. Only today the
Secretary of the Treasury delivered to
one of General GomeZ's SONS a check
for 100000 which had been voted unan
imOusly by Congress for the generals
benefit and approved by President Pal
ma. This was in addition to the $780,
600 previously voted by Congress.
General Maxine Gomez. who command
ed the Cuban forces during the insur
rectiOn which broke out in 1895. and ended
with the complete independents of the is
land. was born at Bani. Santo Domingo i'll
1886 and came of a Spanish family. He
began life as IL cavalry officer in the
Spanish army in Santo Domingo. When
the Spaniards were driven from the island,
Gomez went with the Spanish troops to
Cuba. Later being Disguised at the man
ner 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 and from that
time became bitter enemy of Spain. He
joined the patriots in the instruction of
1865 and fought 10 years. being COM
mandcr in chief from 1878 to 1917.
When in 1875. the Cuban leaders made
terms of peace. Gomez withdrew to San
to Domingo, where he lived quietly until
the Cuban revolution of 1925 broke out
His exploits during the war of indepen
dence are well known.
After Cuba had obtained her indepen
dence, there is no doubt that Gomez
could have been elected president. but
he refused to accept the nomination.
would not enter politics and declined
pension.
General Gomez's last public appearance
was at Havana March %. last. on the oc-
casion of the visit of the American squad
ron to that port.