Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-09-13
GEN. w. w. GORDON DEAD;
WAS HERO OF TWO WARS

, BROOKE, u. .. n.
Admiral Schley was a great admirer
of General Gordon and during his visit
to Savannah a year or so after the
Spanish-Ameriean war the admiral was
entertained at General Gordon's home.
Admiral Schley in his story Of his public
service published since his death, said
of his association with General Gordon
on the Porto Rican commission:
with Dewey's magnificent victory at
Manila supplemented by that off San
tiago, the cause of Spain was now hope
less Cuba was lost, as well as Porto
Rico and the Philippines, and the Span
ish flag driven from the western conti-
nent forever. There was nothing left
but to ask for peace on the best terms
her victor would consent to give.
SERVING WITH GORDON.
president Mckinley thought so well
of the service 1 had rendered that he
nominated me for advancement six
numbers in grade, which carried me
into that of rear admiral. and as such
he detailed me as one of the members
of the commission which went to Porto
Rico to consider with a similar COM
mission appointed by Spain the evacua-
ton of the island preliminary to an
American occupation.
"Our commission consisted OF Maj.
Cen John r. Brooke. Brig. Gen. W.
W. Gordon and myself. Lieut. Col. Ed
ward Hunter as secretary and recorder.
Those representing the government Of
Spain were Mai. Gen. Ricardo Orteta,
Acting Rear Admiral Eugene Vallerino
and Col. Jose Sanchez del Aguila. with
Capt. Rafael Ravena as secretary. This
high commission assembled at the PAL
ace at San Juan on Sept. 1, 1899, in con-
formity with the terms of the protocol
signed by the respective governments.
There were about 10000 Spanish
troops occupying the various posts
throughout the island. To evacuate
these several places and to replace the
Spanish forces with American detach-
ments to prevent any lawlessly inclin-
ed from disturbing the public peace and
security required a carefully planned
program. After that had been arranged
the evacuation of the Spanish began.
and was continued without hitch or In
reference.
MANY other questions affecting the
customs and postal laws. the schools,
the internal regulations OF the island,
the methods Of judicial procedure. mat
tiers of taxation and revenue, we're care
fully looked into by the American COM
missioners, and were made the subject
of an exhaustive report to the prest-
dent.
$50 Systematically was the business OF
the commission carried forward that on
October Is. 1898, at high noon, the Amer
lean occupation Of the island took place,
amid impressive ceremonial salutes to the
flag in the presence of the foreign con-
suls, a vast assemblage of the islanders
and an imposing parade of soldiers, sail
ors and marines of our nation.
HIS MILITARY COMMAND.
During the Spanish American war Cen
eral Gordon was placed IN command of
the Second Louisiana regiment. sta
toned at Mobile The men were paid of
Just before leaving and some of them
painted the town red" General Gordon
sent out several companies and finally
subdued them, keeping them under guard
forty-eight hours without a courtmar-
tial-
The soldiers grew to love their general
later and when they passed back through
here and stopped IN camp before being
mustered out they insisted on calling at
his home in body. 700 strong, and saying
good-by.
On this occasion the men presented
Mrs. Gordon and her daughter. Mrs. Will
liam Low with handsome presents in
grateful remembrance of their services
at the hospital camp at Miami, over
which they had supervision.
General Gordon, became a member of
Zerubbabel lodge of F. A NJ. in
1856. He was a charter member Of An
cient Landmark lodge, where his men,
bership remained until his death. He was
a member Of the Yale chapter Of the
d. X. f. fraternity.
The splendid residence on the north
east corner Of Bull street and Ogle-
thorpe avenue, in which General Cor
don lived. was his homs from his
birth. II has been the scene Of many
social affairs and the general has been
the host therein of some prominent peo-
pie. He twice entertained President
Tart there and other distinguished Wis
itors have also been his guests.
AN HISTORIC HOME.
The home was the property Of Gen
eral Gordon's father. The old place
was erected about the period 1s25-sO,
and was bought from Judge James z.
Wayne. at the time Of the latters ap-
pointment by President Andrew Jack
son to the supreme court bench OF the
United States. The house is remark
ably well preserved, although close to
one hundred years old. It's ancient
pictures and books and general air of
culture and refinement constantly sug-
gest the old-time life Of families in the
south.
A graduate of Yale, General Cor
don's interest in its affairs never
Jagged and IL was largely through his
efforts that the local Yale society was
organized. In July. 1909. at meeting
of Yale alumni. General Gordon was
appointed a member of a commission
to erect suitable monument there to