Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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THE FALL OF VERA CRUZ. f | UNITED STATES MARINES DISPLAYED BRAVERY Most Spirited Action of Wednesday s Was the Taking of Naval Academy. Vera Cruz. April 23.?The city of Vera Cruz was in undisputed possession of the American invading force early yesterday afternoon. Although there was no organized force used ^ against them and the snipers were less in evidence than at any time IW Hnrine fighting. eight Americans _ " were killed and some thirty wounded. While the Mexicans suffered more severely the number of their casualties has not been ascertained, but the best estimates obtained by Capt. William R. Rush, of the battleship Florida, indicated that in the engagements of Tuesday and Wednesday their dead amounted to about 150. No person knows how many Mexicans fell wounded, as a large part of them were hidden by friends. Bodies About Plaza. In the streets about the plaza Wednesday lay fifteen or twenty bodies, the majority of them attired in civilian clothing. Some of the men evidently had been dead since the engagement of Tuesday and the tropical heat made their immediate disposal imperative. When the city was taken the American marines were ordered to advance carefully and search every building for men bearing arms. ^ Scores of prisoners were taken. most of them protesting that they were not guilty of any unfriendliness whatsoverer toward the Americans. Accustomed as the Mexicans are to their own contending forces shooting immediately all prisoners the men could not believe that they would receive less drastic treatment at the hands of the Americans. The most spirited action of Wednesday was the taking of the Naval > Academy. Aside from that fight there was no definite organized opposition encountered by the Americans. A hot fire was poured into the marines from the Naval College, which for a time held them back, but a few shots from the cruisers, Chester, San Francisco and Prairie tore gaping holes in the stone walls and silenced the rifle-fire of the Mexi*v cans inside. The bluejackets then were enabled to proceed with their task. Old Tower Leveled. * ? - > J AJ A squad 01 soiaiers cuunuucu w give considerable trouble to the Americans from the battered Benito Juarez tower. After they had been silenced and removed from the tower it was discovered that they had continued fighting for lack of ability to do anything else. The shells from the warships Tuesday had torn away the stairway in the tower and the men had been com-, pelled to remain in it. 'At 10 o'clock Wednesday morning the Americans were in undisputed possession of all the city except the southwest quarter, in which the barracks are situated, and a few outlying districts. At noon they had tak** en the barracks. When the city prison, which faces the main plaza > of the city, was captured Lieut. Buchanan, of the Florida, inspected ^ it. There was great surprise^among the Mexicans who had gathered that the Drisoners were not re leased. They had been accustomed to seeing the victor always release prisoners and then impress them in^ to his army. Chief of Police Antonio Villa Vicencio was taken prisoner by the Americans shortly after they had occupied the main plaza of that city. It was suggested to him that he continue in his official capacity to direct the city's protective system. He took the matter under advisement. Had the frightened mayor made up * his mind to accede to Admiral Fletcher's suggestion the Mexicans might have been spared the humiliation of being forced from their positions and undoubtedly a number of lives would not have been sacrificed. . Flag of Truce. Coincident with the orders for the general advance of the Americans, an aged Mexican carrying the white flag of truce came down a street from the centre of the city. He car ried a letter to the cniei or ponce, the cnlv authority he hoped to reach, and desired Consul Canada to read it. It was an urgent appeal to the chief of police to call off the snipers and prevent ihe bombardment he ' believed would follow if they continued their shooting. Even before the messenger had climbed the sta:rs into the consul's office Capt. Rush I was informed of the contents of the note and immediately sounded "cease firing," but it was too late. The action had been begun all along the line and it was not considered wise to attempt further measures to stop it. The commanders ordered their men forward at double quick, which they carried out with a vigor w that afterwards gave them the city. Blood-bespattered sidewalks, broken windows and bullet-scarred walls gave the plaza a gruesome aspect. Within the Diligencia Hotel there were forty Americans ?most of them women?who had been there since the begining of hostilities. When the square was taken they were immediately notified that they might go to other places if they so desired,- but that they probably would incur no further danger by irk or i*% f B Atnl i cmaiuiut, in mc ui/ici. Ordered to Vacate. It was not until late Tuesday that the last of Gen. Maas's men on top' of the hotel received written orders from outside the city to vacate their position. The order was obeyed by a portion of the hundred men who were occupying the roof and vantage points in the interior, but some of the band determined to disobey the orders and fight to the last. Nevertheless they surrendered Wednesday morning. A lieutenant in command of the .Mexicans was led out a prisoner. and although he had fought desperately he trembled and turned pale in the belief he would be summarily executed. None of the American women were in any way mistreated by the .Mexicans during the occupation of the building. A few of the women helped the Mexicans in caring for the wounded.. In the centre of the inner harbor, San Juan de Uloa. an ancient stone fortress, flew the Mexican flag throughout the attack. The commandant and sixty armed men and three hundred workmen in the navy yard peered from the embrasures at the Prairie and the other ships shelling the naval academy, in the dun geon were nve nunarea prisoners. Found Heavy Guns. Capt. Stickney, of the Prairie. went through the fortress several * days ago and found some heavy guns, five torpedoes and a torpedo tube in a corrugated iron shed outside the wall of the fortress. When the landing of the Americans was ordered Capt. Stickney sent word to the commandant of San Juan de Uloa that he would blow him to pieces with the Prairie's guns if he opened fire against the Americans, but that otherwise he would not be disturbed. The commandant replied that he would answer with his cannon if fired on. but that he would not begin hostilities. When the engagement ashore began the commandant hoisted a brilliant new Mexican flag, which flew all day long. Rear Admiral Fletcher instructed the Spanish cruiser Carlos V to go outside the breakwater in order to give the Prairie room to fire her guns. The Spanish commander re fused, saying that he dared not manoeuvre his boat in so small a space at night. He also declared he needed to take on a supply of fresh water. Admiral Fletcher insisted yesterday that his order be carried out, and the Carios V moved outside just before the attack on the centre of the city began.. Gave Warning First. When Admiral Fletcher directed that battalions of bluejackets and marines be landed from Rear Admiral Badger's ships before dawn and drawn up in the plaza before the railroad station, and then proceed to take the entire town, he acted only after giving warning and after fifteen shells from the Prairie's three-inch guns had been thrown from the steel frame work of the new market. A persistent but scattering fire came from rifles in the market during all the early hours tho mnrnin? anH Admiral Rad ger's men landed to the whining accompaniment of rifle bullets over their heads. When the rush started Admiral Badger's bluejackets, clad in orange colored clothing, made for them on the cruise down by dyeing white uniforms with iron rust, moved in close column formation , up the water front, past the market and across the front of the Naval college, a long three-story structure built of adobe stone. The column moved steadily forward until the first company had passed beyond the college and the remainder were covering the whole front close against the wall. Rifle Bullets. Suddenly a spatter off rifle fire broke out. Flashes from the rifles, were visitble from upper windows and along the roofs. The jackets stood their ground pluckily. Some of them huddled close to the wall to avoid the hail of bullets from above, while others dashed across a small open space directly in front of the building. These bluejackets dropped on their stomaches and lifted their rifles high in order to get a range on the windows above. Finally the officers hustled their men either forward or backward until they were in shelter of near-by buildings. The jackets in front held their places, however, and the Prairie sent shell after shell from her three-inch battery into the windows of the college. hugh columns of red dust leaping upward as each shot went home. GUARANTEES WEDDING. Even Two Weeks' Honeymoon, Cigars an^ Powder Included. Following the bargain funeral has come the bargain wedding. For $100 cash the Salvation Army, in Washington guarantees the license, the ceremony, a two weeks' honeymoon, a four-room furnished flat with one month's rent paid, honeymoon cigars for the bridegroom and sachet powder for the bride. "And 011 that," says Major Parson George Ivings. in charge of the industrial department of the army, "we'll make a profit of $10 for Gospel work, I've been thinking for a long time that matrimony was becoming too costly. It should be placed within the reach of all." Then the major gave statistics to show where he "gets off" financially. First, a marriage license in the District of Columbia costs $1: the ceremony fee is indicated by the algebraic symbol X; four-room-andbath flat can be found in Washington for $22.50; it costs $40 to furnish the flat from the industrial department of the Salvation Army. Among the down-and-outs who seek shelter arev good furniture-makerrs and upholsterers and in their hands old furniture can be made new?alI most. Out in Forestville, Md.. not so very far from the Capital, the Army owns a farm. "Board for two people oh the i farm," said Major Ivings. "can be j figured at $5 per week per person. That will set us back $20 for the honeymoon. The railroad fare there and back will be about $5. That makes $88.50. We add $1.50 for honeymoon cigars and sachet powder. If the bridegroom can't dig up enough to cover the rest of his -expenses he ought to go without. So, you see, we come out $10 ahead. "What are we going to do with the $10? Well, a year or two ago we decided to build a sanitarium on the farm. The $10 will go into the building fund of that sanitarium. I will be officiating minister and I donate my fee to the mission. Of j course, it's best to get married in | the summer time under this plan. | We can provide for the couples now. j Tell them to start early and avoid | the rush."?Washington Dispatch to Philadelphia Record. WATSON ELECTED. Next National Congress Meets at Washington. Savannah, Ga., April 24.?Choosing officers and selecting Washington, D. C., for the next annual convention, the National Drainage Congress this afternoon wound up all business and adjourned to-night after hearing an address by Sir William Willcocks, K. C. B.r on "River Regulation and Control in Anti quity." The officers elected were as follows: President, E. J. Watson, South Carolina; vice presidents, F. B. Knight, Illinois; D. E. King. Missouri; Gen, W. C. Gorgas, U. S. A.; Edward Wisner, Louisiana, and J. L. Craig, California; treasurer, A. M. McLachlen, District of Columbia. Sir William Willcocks was made honorary vice president and the title of honorable past president was permanently bestowed on the retiring president, Edmund T. Perkins, of Illinois. The convention adopted resolutions recommending an international drainage and flood control congress at San Francisco in 1915. The Chester also joined in with her six-inch shells and tore great gaps in the roof of the college. Far to the right in the harbor the mine ship Cm AnonpH wit]! lipr fivp | k.'tt 11 X 1 UUV^WVV Vi'?? v>? ? v j inch guns. Taking the front of the I college, the mine ship shot out winj dow by window, planting the shells with the precision of target practice. Marched Forward. After fifteen minutes of firing the Prairie and the San Francisco ceased and the column of jackets formed again and pushed sturdily ahead. A few shots were directed at them, but none came from the college. The Chester continued hurling shells. The jackets went steadily forward, spreading out through the water front section, seizing the' highest buildings and organizing squads of guards at the street intersections. The fire along the front gradually slackened and then died out, but the Chester sent a few shots out into the hills before ceasing. The Hancock, with seven hundred marines on board, and the battleship Michigan arrived too late to participate in the fighting. The wounded and the prisoners were taken aboard the Prairie until the arrival of the Soiace about noon yesterday. Immediately after the firing had virtually ended Rear Admiral Badger boarded the Prairie to confer with Rear Admiral Fletcher over the best means for securing the town against attack, caring for the dead, injured and refugees and restoring order. CLl'B MEETINGS HELJ>. Issues l>rawn Between Factions South Carolina. Columbia, April 25.?Repor from the various counties of Sou Carolina indicate that the meetin of democratic clubs were largely a tonripH hv vAtorc Whilp most of tl meetings were quiet, lines seem have been sharply drawn in mai places between supporters of tl governor and those opposed to tl administration. Reform of the primary was di cussed at a number of meetings. Tl delegates from the McColl club the county convention were instruc ed to work for a restricted primar Club No. 2 at Laurens passed a r solution opposing further restrictioi as to voting in the primary. Bisho ville also took a stand against change in the primary. Resolutioi indorsing primary reform were pas ed by the Beaufort club. The county-to-county campaii was discussed. At. St. Matthews resolution moving the abolition i the campaign was rejected. Tl same question was discussed Hampton without definite action. The West Union club in Ocon< county passed a resolution condem ing race track gambling in Soul ^ laruuiia. The meeting at Georgetown resul ed in a split. Supporters of tl governor retired from the meetii of Democratic Club No. 1 before tl election of officers and elected of cers and delegates. The tv sets of delegates will appear befo the county convention and presei their claims for seats. Special Hosiery Offer ! Guaranteed Wear-Ever Hosiery Men and Women. Ladies' Special Otter For Limited Time Only? Six pair of our finest value ladie guaranteed hose in black or ts colors with written guarantee, f< ?1.00 and 5 stamps for postage. SPECIAL OFFER FOR MEN. For a limited time only, six pai of our finest 35c value Guarantee Hose with written guarantee and pair of our well known Men's Par dise Garters for one dollar, and stamps for postage. You know these hose, they stoc the test when all otners failed. Th( give real foot comfort. They have i seams to rip. They never becon loose and baggy as the shape is kn in, not pressed in. They are Guarai teed for fineness, for style, superiority of material and wor manship, absolutely stainless and wear six months without holes, or new pair free. Don't delay, send in your order b fore offer expires. Give correct siz WEAR-EVER HOSIERY COMPAQ Dayton, Ohio. ? FOR YOUR DEN I ^ Beautiful College Pennants * Yale and Harvard, each 9 in. x 24 i Princeton, Cornell, Michigan Each 7 in. x 21 in. All best quality felt with felt hea ing, streamers, letters and masc executed in proper colors. Th'is sple did. assortment, sent postpaid for i cents and 5 stamps to pay postag Send now. HOWARD SPECIALTY COMPAX Dayton, Ohio. PREMIER "Non=Pnnctnre" Auto Tin Gaaranteed 7,569 Miles Service These tires bear the greate known mileage guarantee, vet a sold at a price even less than tir of ordinary guarantee. This guara tee covers punctures, blow-outs ai general wear. Guarantee covers 1 500 miles service against everythii x HP1-, A<s/\ + iorn intOTl 6XCepl dUUbc. I licoc uiw ed for most severe service. Orders have been received f< these tires for use in the Unit* States government service. As a SPECIAL IXTRODUCTOR offer, we will allow the followii prices for the nexxt ten days. TIRES?TUBES. Tire Tube 2Sx3 $ 9.20 $2.00 30x3 10.25 2.30 30x3 Y> 13.50 2.80 32x3 y> 14.05 3.00 34x3 y2 15.25 3.20 31x4 17.00 3.25 32x4 18.00 3.30 33x4 19.50 3.40 34x4 20.40 3.60 35x4 21.00 3.80 36x4 22.00 3.90 35x4 V2 26.00 5.00 36x4 y. 27.00 5.10 37x4 y. 27.50 5.15 37x5 32.60 5.40 All other sizes. Non-Skids 20 p< cent extra. 5 per cent discount payment in full accompanies ordi and if two are so ordered, shippir charges will be paid by us. C. O. 1 on 15 per cent of amount of orde Our output is limited, so we sugge early ordering. We sell direct onl giving purchaser t*he advantage of a middlemen's profits. STROXGTREAD RUBBER CO., Uovtnn Ohin. LIFE, FIRE, LIVEST0C1 HEALTH and ACCIDENT INSURANCE Agent for Superior Monument C Can Save you Money on Tombstone W. MAX WALKER EHRHARDT, S. C. " Iputit in ts th Has it occurred to gs it- your pocket grows "e while a dollar in 01 to ? n ment constantly Te WHILE YOU SLt s- Four percent. Paid te ? to Peoples Ban! eas : 1 : ^ s: ouiu nug3 u ? * re A South Carolina far 111 of hogs which were read _ i was so warm that killing 1 He went to his tele ^ Columbia over Long Dis at a good price. He thei office and arranged for sb s- The telephone is no\* m You can have one on you See the nearest Bell send a postal for our free rs * FARMERS' LINE % SOUTHERN BELL TI AND TELEGRAPH ( >? S. Pryor St, ie or k_ - 11 Internationa Farm Y * ) . The IH C Line I T70R many JS "machSS*1 r has beei Rwm 0{ wagon valu SS^tMktr. the Weber waj 1 ?y 1914 model no^ St CORN MACHINES The Columbus re I Weber wagon ii es I En?S cJtuU^ features are cone n_ I Skdkn, Shniiwt wagons are twin: ?d r?.s33U. - || gJJ2? rJu^1,,r The Only Fifth ? \g H . gSeral UNE The Internatior Q" Oijaad Gm Esfiaca up or pitching Ot 1 __ | forever with benl Cream Separator! irons. This One J S*1 Farm Wajoaa Go to the I H C y. ' or Columbus wa$ ^ Grain DriH? fifth wheel on the: ig Feed Grindera handles them, wr Binder Twine y?U may ^en j ^ International Hamstei Columbia ll,,ranK I 111 UkU I liMil l II ll I J. B. B F Bicycles, Guns and Automobiles ' CHILLS AND FEVER 2 OR ANY FEVER 50 ? i'f OUR BANKil you that a dollar in gradually smaller, ur Savings Depart" increases?EARNS ?CD V ^L<r i n on Savings Deposits y r Bamberg, S. C. * =============== ..i ~ " ' " " - y Telephone if mer had a large luimber y to kill. The weather was out of the question. phone, called a dealer in -11 tance and sold his hogs i called the local freight ipment. r r a necessity on the farm, r farm at small cost Telephone Manager or booklet . DEPARTMENT ;?:f| SLEPHONE fj?\ ZOMPANY Wagons I years the Weber wagon || a accepted as the standard | 6 every vviieie. uiuuu ui ej jon was ever so good as the R / *?j iv on the market. in wagon this year is the equal of the ih i every wav; where quality and Hi erned, the Weber ana Columbus I 3. One good feature common to jj national nfth wheel, making these J]ieel Farm Wagons on the Market ial fifth wheel prevents the pulling the bolster, and therefore does away t and broken king pins and circle t i.-fe feature is worth a tnp to town. ) local dealer who handles Weber M jons and ask him to show you the IH se wagons. If you don't know who ||| ite to us and we will tell you where Jji r Company of America/iSsJj Khraakee Osborne Piano Knowing What and How To Do ijl is not all there is to auto rey pairing. Such knowledge is valuable and essential, but having fl adequate tools and facilities is I equally important. You'll find L us fully equipped in every resr pect for auto repair work of 4 1 all kinds. Send your car here, where it will be expertly and promptly put in condition. FICKLE I Repaired. Bamberg, s. c. ;kly yield if inuiienu'c EATED WITH junnguii o EARS OF SUCCESS TAK| I T CURING FOLKS I W 11 I V - -M ' ... . -,1 JC' ( .. ' ? .'"T .