Evening star., 1948-06-20
Fifty Years AGO

local phenomenon OF the war, described
by The Star on June Q. 1885, was the Army
mule. Hundreds Of these sturdy
Army "critters' were seen in the city
Nul.. streets. Usually they were grouped
in teams Of four, attached to sub
stantial wagons loaded with supplies for the
troops. Uncle SAM" it was recounted, is
the owner Of these prosperous looking turnouts.
People who have merely read of the Army mule
and his peculiarities will no doubt be surprised
when they zee these nice-looking animals,
apparently 20 mild and docile. However, those
who know say that appearances are not merely
apt to be deceitful but in the case Of the
mule are 30 without any question" BY the
time when the United States entered its next
conflict Of international importance the gaso-
line motor had been invented and put into
service. But even now after half Q century.
mules play their traditional burden-bearing
part in defense operations,
- -
dispatches from Port au Prince said bulle-
tin in The Star on June 1, 1893, report that
the auxiliary cruiser Merrimac
Merrmoc was sunk in the channel at
Sunk Santiago de Cuba yesterday ny .
volunteer crew under 1t. Hob
son. The purpose was to 50 obstruct the harbor
that Admiral Cervera could not get out with
his ships" Reference was to Richard Pearson
Hobson one Of the authentic heroes of the War
with Spain. He was 28 ut the time Of the Mer-
rimae incident The plan was devised by Com
modore william Thomas Sampson, but Hobson
favored 1t heartily and requested permission
to put 1t into execution. Guns from Spanish
ships and from shore batteries dropped shells
around the Merrimac as she moved up the
channel But Hobson and his crew Of seven men
completed their mission unhurt Taken
prisoners by the Spanish they were lodged in
Moro Castle for q while and then exchanged
for lieutenant and IA enlisted men. Admiral
Cervera meanwhile distinguished himself by
commencing the bravery Of the American party
to Sampson.
The Star for June IA, 1885, contained . de-
tailed account Of an explosion In the cellar OF
James ODonnells drugstore ut
Drugstore the corner of Pennsylvania ave-
Troeedy nue. and Third street southeast
the previous night, In which
George Curtin, II. was killed and John Rodgers
was painfully hurt. Engaged in charging
soda tank the two clerks suddenly were hurled
against the ceiling by q blast Of gas, Rodgers
managed to reach the street unassisted. His
companion still was alive when carried out,
but died on the way to hospital. An alarm Of
fire meanwhile, attracted a crowd OF people
to the scene.
On June IS, 1898. The Star printed an an
nouncement to the effect that the cornerstone
of the Francis Scott Key mon
Kew ument in Mount Olivet ceme-
nonumsnt terry Frederick, Md, had been
laid yesterday" The cere-
mony was "one OF the most imposing demon
strations ever held" in the community, and
hundreds Of citizens took part" President Nc
Kinley sent message, saying: "The continued
blessings Of free government should inspire In
us . greater love for the Flag. AS we show our
devotion to the lofty principles it represents.
we should lose no opportunity to express our
gratitude to those who have woven its history
and It's significance into story and song"
/ letter to The Star Of June 13. 1898. signed
A. 7. Chipman. contradicted a legend then
widely believed, namely the
Johnson notion that President Andrew
Nat sAh,oaH johnson was, up to that time.
"the only President who ever
set foot on foreign oilsduring his term Of Of
nee" The facts, Mr.. Chapman explained. were
these: I'm the summer or fariy autumn OF 1857