Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-09-22

Cuba will be asked within a few days
to pay part of the debt she owed to
the late Captain Sam Hughes the king
OF hlibusters, whose gun-running expedi-
tions. more than anything else, made
possible the freedom of the island.
Phlladelphians who were warm per-
sonal friends of Captain Hughes during
his tilibustering days and later when he
was captain of the port here, have "sug-
gested" to the Cuban Government that
a pension be granted his widow, left
destitute because Captain Hughes was
generous and improvdent sailor.
When Captain Hughes died on July
II, last, he left behind him only unpaid
oills. He had made several fortunes dur
ing his filbustering days. His widow has
been an invalid for several years. She
went to Thornmount, Green Island. Bel
iast' Ireland, year ago to visit CaDtain
huShes' mother The mother of the Ali
puster died two months before him, but
AIs' Hughes has remained there at Bel
tast' She does not know that the Cuban
government probably will grant her
pension, Friends recently learned that
the captain left nothing for his widow
SUGGESTS CUBAN AID
George f. Sproule secretary of the
Board of Commissioners of Navigation,
an intimate friend of Captain Hughes for
~ years, suggested the idea of a Cuban
pension to j. j. Luis, Cuban Consul here.
VINO frequently served as agent for the
Cnnans in the ilibusterng.
me suggestion was sent two weeks
ago 70 General Emilio Nunez, the most
powerful member of the present Cuban
Cahlnt and President NIenocaIs principal
AaNlsor General Nunez was the man
70 whom Captain Hughes sold the arms
ana ammunition in 1906, 1907 and 1908,
ss1netlmes directly and sometimes through
Mr. sproule came to me with the ad-
tS' ot Mrs Hughes" said Mr. Luis
.ouaS' The Cuban Government wanted
20 20 send her a letter oF coincidence. MIR.
spIouie said that pension would be
oelt'f, as Captain Hughes had left moth
.ns' was surprised, but was glad to
INFORM General Nunez of Mr.. Sproules
suggestion
General Nunez was commander of the
49, SP'aln Hughes supplied with
Inns ana ammunition. He Is now Sec
Ietary Of Agriculture and president of
nu veterans Association. |, of course.
SSGulu DO nothing officially, but General
NSnez VIII probably arrange IT,"
CIT Sproule today explained that
~ ,aa "Iatz and DR., j. Cajetan Flynn.
VI 70 North Sixth street, also were
pait'es TO the Suggestion" DR.. FLYNN
n WAS captain Hughes physician for
many years. io'
me hllbuster whose memory Cuho
bnr,, uohor In a substantial manner. was
a IN Belfast, and went to sea when
r. 10y on the Samuel Louther ships
IN sti be!Iast. He came here i'm 1879 ana
TiirpEeu with the Merchants and Miners
L. On the old steamer William Crane
o. commanded at various times the
beiJt.IIua' Bernard, Bermuda. which was
10 yea 10 have been blown up at pier
ISoo III me Delaware River in August
~" ana the Laurada. the shin I'm which
rad' engaged in ilibustering. The Lau-
tsrS was named after his two daugh-
Laura and Ada, who are now dead
MADE CAPTAIN OF PORT.
AT the. outbreak Of the Cuban war
captain Hughes enlisted in the Ameri.
Ije,,, Sm navy and was given the rank OF
-sitiiah'' lie performed valuable !
U.,te2' as he was familiar with the !
~ indies waters He commanded |
a, bermuda after The war. ana after
ofB+ll sahk ne accepted the position of chief
.I,,sti II Of the United States transport |
under command OF Captain !