The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1912-03-16
Final Honors.


Havana, March 16--Trade and COM
merce stopped in Havana today an
iinal honor 10 the Maine. Government
buildings were closed, shutters were
on the windows of nest Of ehe mer-
camille embellishments On twin flag
ataffs. on nearly every structure In the
business section of tic city, on the
government palaces and forts. includ-
ing historic old Moro castle. the ma
.ional ensigns of the United states ana
Cuba were displayed. They nuttered
lazilN cntwined with great bands OF
crepe. Through the streets Of the city.
uniformed soldiers passed and repass-
ed. Prvates wore bands Of crepe oh
their left arms. officers wore 1t knot
tea about tho hlts Of gheir side arms.
ON all Sides the scene was one Of
solemnlty
II was Cuba's last tribute 10 the
old Maine and the 275. officers and
men.of her company whose death in
The local harbor that warm night in
Fsbruary IL years ago. gave the lHtle
island separate place in the company
cf nations. For the battered hulk ofthe
old fighting machine. robbed of all
semblance OF the majestic vessel which
Cnce cleft the blue waters OF the deer
and kept anoat by great lbullSheads Of
timber, was no be forever laid at rest
in the quiet Florida straits, nine miles
from the place where the vessel met
her death.
Consigned 10 the Deep.
. Conveyed by sister ships and ac-
companied by the entire strength OF
The cuban navy OF the country she
made possible, the wreck was to be
Consigned to the deep with all ot
hhe honors of war
Her hag, holsted above her shatter.
ed hulk on the day She finally emerg-
ed from the muddy bottom where she
had laln for many years, was to sink
proudly and maiesticaNy with her,
Tapped for moment by the sluggish
gulf stream before II finally passed out
Of sight forever to the accompaniment
OF the last tribute that can be paid a
tighter, taps" previously, however,
the nation honored the bones Of the
last victims to be taken from the
wreck while Il was being salved. All
right they had rested in the place OF
honor In the Havana city hall.
constant stream of humanity had pass
ed by the flag bedecked, hermeiically
sealed coffins In which the RELIES OK
the sacred dead reposed. II was a cos
procession. High army ANA
navy officers followed men In privates
garb Richly dressed men and women
rubbed elbows with their less for
tunahe fellows. Swarthy West In
dians contrasted sharply with light
contpleNloned Americans.
Following the transfer which was
marked By the tolling of the bells
in the church towers OF Havana, the
North Carolina steamed TO her place
In the procession Of warships tina.
had been waiting ready for the sig
nal to pass out OF the harbor.
In the front rank were the l3ir-
mingham ana the North Carolina. Be
tween them the naval tug Osceola,
with great steel cables attached to
the hulk Of the Maine. remaining
ready TO proceed. Then came the
hulk itself, its rough outlines hid
ien almost from view by great ropes
ov eyergreens and the whole sur
mounting by 1900 magnificent roses
onlwined into conopy their magni-
rent perfume filling the air Of the
crowded harbor.
Behind the Main swung into place /,
he little vessels OF tho Cuban navy, !
comprising revenue cutters and min
ature gunboats Then came more |
han a score OF merchant vessels in |
'ludlng the yacht Gypsy which car
FED the members of the Havana chap