The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1914-05-02
IRISH CATHOLIC SHEDS
THE FIRST BLOOD
Official Report from Washington
States That Corp. D. A. Hae-
gerty Was First to Die
Catholic Messenger of Worcester,
Mass, Gives Account o. Death
of Native Son

Corp. Daniel A. Haggerty, who was
killed Tuesday at Vera Cruz by q
Mexican sharpshooter, was born in
North Brookfield and lived there the
greater part of his life.
Corp. Haggerty was born in July,
1873. son of Michael and Bridget
MCCARTHY Haggerty.
He received his early education in
Sacred Heart parochial school and
later entered the E. A. H. Batcheller
shoe factory where he worked until
1902, when that company went out
of business.
He had reputation as an ath-
lete. He was member of st. JOS
eph's c. T. A., and was one of the
distance runners on the track team
which represented that society sever
al years. He also played on the old
Tiger football team.
Corp Haggerty moved to Cam
bridge with his parents in 1902. He
lived in Cambridge four years when
he enlisted in the marine corps. He
was a member of the Nicaragua ex-
pedition. fighting against the revolu-
tionists there and later he saw serv-
ice in Panama.
After four years. service he was
honorably discharged, July %, 1910!
1t was shortly after he was dis
charged that Corp. Haggerty visited
North Brookfield for the last time.
He came to North Brookfield and re-
newed the. acquaintanships Of his
boyhood and at that time signified
his intention Of re-enlisting.
He re-enlisted in Boston six
months later and was assigned to a
company in the second regiment ad-
vance brigade on the battleship Utah.
That the body of Corp. Haggerty.
the first American to give his life in
an effort to make Mexico pay homage
to old glory, will be brought to North
Brookfield for burial, was the gen.
eral opinion.
Corp. Haggerty's mother who died
Seven years ago. is buried in st. JOS
ehp's cemetery. North Brookfield.
Men who knew Corp. Haggerty
when he was a boy and grew to man
hood with him, were loud in their
praise for him when they heard of
his death.
The American flag at Cambridge
was lowered to half mast Wednes-
day by orders of Mayor Good and re-
mafned there throughout the day.
Josephus Daniels. Secretary of the
Navy. sent the following to the fam
lily: Heartfelt sympathy extended by
government in the loss of your son
at Vera Cruz. Mex. April 21, 1914.
His patriotic courage places his name
in the honor roll of our country's de-
fenders"
His Excellency, David I. Walsh.
Governor of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts,. sent letter of sym.
pathy to Michael Haggerty, the aged
father of the first victim of Vera
Cruz's fall. The letter follows:
Mr.. Michael Haggerty, 16 Harding
street. Cambridge. Mass:
Dear Sir-I have just read in the
newspapers of the great sacrifice
your household was yesterday called
upon to place upon the altar of our
country's honor.
From the bottom of my heart. I
grieve with you and with your
daughters. and surviving ones for the
death Of Daniel A. Haggerty.
Massachusetts, mourns for a brave
son who is lost; but Massachusetts,
thrills with patriotic fire and Joy
that, in yet another hour of national
trial. the name of one of her sons
leads all the rest of those who have
given, or who may yet give, their
lives for the nation.
May his soul rest in peace. and
may his faithful life and glorious
death be at once an example and an
inspiration to the sons of the Com
monwealth,