Newspaper Page Text
The Era of Fillibusters
in Many Years Gone by
Trip to and Arrival at Granada-How my
We Volunteered and Became Mem- tina
bers of the First Rifles. the
B
By JOHN McGRATH. we
(Continued from Last Issue.) clad
mas
Arriving at New Orleans the morn- fat
ing after leaving home we started
out to find Walker's recruiting office, and
which notwithstanding the President's
proclamation of neutrality, was not a he
difficult undertaking as it was located too
on the second floor of No. 16 Royal Rit
street and known to all those in that
locality. It was conducted openly,
evidently without fear of being raided nui
by United States marshals who seem- bo
ed to be blind to its existence even
though well known to the general mu
public. Climbing the stairs to the
second floor we entered a large room bu
bare of everything but a table at at
which the most disreputable and dis- f
gusting looking man I had even seen del
was seated. His face was blated,
his eyes bleary and his clothing of wE
fine material soiled by mud as if he bo
had slept in a street gutter. The cr
sight of this whiskey besotted indi- t
vidual acting as Walker's agent was an
most discouraging and we made up sh
our minds right then and there to
avoid acceptance of anything likely
to bind us to the cause of Walker. ch
Asking for information as to the ch
chances of getting to Nicaragua and po
what our status would be when there, da
the man pictured the country as a ev
paradise with wealth to be acquired sn
by slight effort. "If you sign up co
transportation will be furnished and sp
you can go down on the steamer Dan- of
iel Webster leaving on Saturday," H<
said he. Telling him we would con- so
sider the matter we retired to the to
street where one of the boys remarked co
"With such a bum as that as rceruit- du
ing officer what kind of an aggrega- a
tion must the rank and file be?" de
The outlook was so discouraging we ar
knew not what to do. To return a
home was out of the question as we
had burned the bridges behind us, so ri
to speak, to enlist and accept trans- th
portation after our interview with the pl
man in the office we would not, so af- pi
ter considerable discussion we agreed N
to find the office of the steamship ri
company, pay our passages and go lc
down as tourists trusting to our ri
American citizenship for protection if f]
such became necessary. We were a
fairly well supplied with funds, suf- r
ficient at least, to defray expense of f
passage to and back should we wish r
to return. Securing transportation at 0
the office of the steampship company, "
we next, on the advice of our new
found friend, proceeded to Burnside's c
store on Canal street to outfit for t
campaigning. Equipped with blankets a
and other serviceable articles we re- c
turned to the recruiting office to in- 1
form Walker's representative that we I
would not accept transportation or
otherwise obligate ourselves to serve
Walker, adding if things suited us
when we arrived at Granada we prob
ably would enlist.
"Well, boys, you are wise," said he.
"What I told you of Nicaragua was
by instruction of the captain in charge
who has gone on a visit to his old
home leaving me here until Saturday
when I am to leave by the steamer
you go down on. You have a bright
future before you while I am only a
human derelict. I was reared a gen
tleman and I am a lawyer by pro
fession, and my father is on the su
preme bench of my native state but
I have disgraced the family name and:
a grave in Nicaragua is about the
best place for me. I have written to
my father to notify him of my des- was an
tination and to ask forgiveness for rama P
the sorrow I have caused him." found
Boarding the steamer on Saturday tion of
we found the poor fellow sober, neatly the wh
clad, shaved and quite presentable,coveret
made so by funds sent him by hismounts
father and later we found him a most the lo
lovable comrade, refined gentleman canoes
and brave soldier. A drink of liquor
never crossed his lips from the day bosom
he entered the ship until death over- unsure
took him in one of the battles at abode
Rivas. gazed
Just before lines were cast off a tured
number of United States marshals ing oi
boarded the ship in search of violat- ing er
ors of the neutrality laws but they awake
must have been careless in the dis- saying
charge of their duty as their's was lows I
but a cursory search, if they searched ing w
at all, for we had proceeded but a the si
few miles down the river when thirty- diers;
five recruits for Walker appeared on sages,
deck, including our little bunch but we way t
were not recruits. Beside those ragua
bound for Nicaragua, the ship was se from
crowded by passengers for California your
that one could scarcely move around nada,'
and this crowded condition perhaps sing i
accounted for the failure of the mar- As
shals to make arrests. for be
The recruits were a fine set of men; ashor
clerks, farmer boys, lawyers, m- were
chanics and just such men as com- Amer
posed the Confederate army at a later on I
date. There was an exception, how- "Stat
ever, in the person of one of those the e
small town bullies. By his own ac- As tl
count he was a terrible fellow as he were
spent most of his time relating deeds free
of bravery of which he was the hero. comp
He had fought so many duals and had shirts
so many bloody encounters, according latesi
to his own account, that he must have had I
commenced his career of frightfulness Ha
during childhood, and yet he proved day 1
a base coward at the first battle and fount
deserted to the enemy not long after who
and just in time to escape trial and in ti"
a death sentence for cowardice. our
In due time the Daniel Webster ar- all n
rived at Greytown one day earlier raml
- than a steamer from New York with and
z passengers for California and a com- at v
. pany of recruits from the slums of The
I New York for Walker. With the ar- notic
p rival of this gang of miserable, ill sur
o looking toughs from the Five Points, a pr
,r river steamers lay alongside and all tive
f from both' steamers were taken ed t4
e aboard and' the crafts started up the I wi
- river. These boats drew but a few not
f feet of water as many shoals and d-c
h rapids were to be encountered and boy.
t overcome until the falls at Castillo and
y, Vijeo were reached. pist,
w The place takes its name from an afte
's old castle on a high hill overlooking sho<
)r the village and being the first castle I ik
ts any of us had ever seen was quite a com
e- curiosity. Lord Nelson, of Trafalga at
n- fame, captured the castle during a toy
ve war between Great Britain and Spain. a d
or Dominating the river it was said to I tl
ve have been erected as a protection per
us against Morgan and his buccaneers, the
b- Be that as it may, it fell before the Sto
fierce attacks of the pirates who edil
e. then proceeded to and captured the like
as city of Granada. whi
ge A boat of deeper draft was next
)ld boarded when we proceeded on our mit
ay journey and just before reaching Fort
er San Carlos, situated at the head of
ht San Juan river where it leaves Lake
a Nicaragua, two boats of sea going
n- build were awaiting our coming and
ro- here a separation of passengers took
su- place, those for California going by
ut one to the transit route and those for
nd Walker to Granada.
the An officer garbed in a handsome
to uniform who had been awaiting the
arrival of the up coming boats now arily
appeared to muster in the new ar- have
rivals, the New Yorkers on the boiler resolh
and the New Orleans arrivals on the Wh
upper deck. While this was going to an
on our little group moved out for- cann<
ward to view scenery new to us from ward
low lands. As we entered the lake arms
was spread out before us a pano- youn
rama of extreme lovliness not to be forth
found elsewhere on the northern por- nizin
tion of the continent if anywhere in withi
the whole world. Dotted with islands lar s
covered by greenest tropical growth, ing
mountains on either side reaching to his
tthe clouds, with two cone shaped vol- anyt
r canoes on the largest island, Ome- "No,
r tepece, rising as it appeared from the lads
bosom of the lake, it was a scene of enot
unsurpassed beauty, enchanting, an MIis
abode fit for fairies. Spellbound we we
gazed upon the lovely view so enrap. zens
a tured that we know not what was go- ragi
'sing on where the recruits were be- that
t ing enrolled until we were rudely pro,
" awakened by a gruff voice behind us mo
"lsaying "Why the hell don't you fel- ý war
s lows fall in to be mustered?" Turn- halt
d ing we faced the officer stating at fusi
a the same time that we were not sol- be <
"diers; that we had paid our own pas- saic
'n sages, had obligated ourselves in no Get
e way to serve the government of Nica- boa
e ragua and were not taking orders ly
4 from any one. "You will change oul
ia your tune when we arrive at Gra- of
id nada," said he. And we surely did wil
Ps sing in another tune. tha
r- As the water is shallow at Granada thi
for boats of deep draft we were sent ing
n; ashore in bungoes or barges to where
Q were assembled every man of the nol
n- American force not on duty all intent nol
er on learning the news from the hay
w- "States," as the Californians spoke of -
se the eastern portion of our country. 4
c- As the companies were formed theyl
he were marched to the plaza while we
ds free American citizens followed in
ro. company with a crowd of flannel
ad shirted soldiers anxious to hear the
ng latest news and disappointed that we
,ve had no late papers to give them.
's Having had nothing to eat since the
'ed day before, on reaching the plaza we
nd found a restaurant kept by a German
ter who had brought his family to settle C
nd in the country and after satisfying
our hunger started out to see sights
ar- all new and novel to us. During our
ier rambles we came to a printing shop
ith and noticing four or five Americans
m- at work I naturally took a look in.
of The editor and manager, one Tabor,
ar- noticing that I was familiar with the
ill surroundings asked me if I were not
its, a printer. Answering in the affirma
all tive he said he would have me dtail
ken ed to work on the paper. Stating that
the I was not subject to orders as I was
Few not a solider, he remarked, "You will
and d-d soon be one, let me tell you,
and boy." I only answered "I guess not,"
;illo and seeing he had a small deringer
pistol strapped on I remarked that
an after seeing the soldiers with six
ing shooters and rifles his weapon looked
stle ike a toy. He replied that had I
:ea come as near being hanged as he had
lga at Stockton for work done by that
a toy I would no doubt entertain quite
lain. a different opinion of its efficiency.
to I then remembered that the newspa
tion pers of a year or two before had told
ers. the story of one Tabor, an editor of
the Stockton, California, killing a rival
who editor of the ame city. I did not
the like Tabor's looks nor the manner in
next which he mentioned a murder com
ourmitted in cold blood and most cow
arMly manner and resolved I would orde
have nothing to do with him. Vain to t
resolve of an unsophisticated youth! gual
While sauntering around we came ,i
to another pretentious building with a min
cannon of large calibre pointing out
ward. Over the gate was a coat of 1 Wa
arms which we stopped to admire. A der
young soldier was pacing back and iMo
forth doing guard duty who recog- mei
nizing us as new comers remarked I
' without halting, "Walk into my par- am
s lar said the spider to the fly," laugh- ica
", ing as he said it. Feeling vexed at r,
0 his manner I asked him if there was sar
anything about us to excite his mirth. ifo
"No," said he, "you are good looking ne,
e l[ads but I smile at all those foolish ob'
f enough to walk into a trap as I did. of
Mn Misery likes company." By this time wt
re we began to feel that American citi- m
- zenship counted fft little in Nica-in
- ragua and were fully convinced of
e- that fact soon after for as we ap
ly proached the plaza on our return a
iS I mounted officer came galloping to
- I ward us waving his hand for us to
nhalt. "Are you the five men who re
fused to obey an order to fall in and
)I-be enrolled while on the boat today?"
S- said he. "Well here is an order from S
no General Walker for you to take the A
a- boat that leaves for San Carlos short
rs ly and report to Captain Linton. The S
gf only Louisiana men here are those A
a- of that company and I presume you
wid will feel more at home with them
than with the Californians. Take
da this order and go down to the land
?nt ing."
re We told the officer that we were
;he not taking orders just then as we had
mft not enlisted but he replied that we
:he had been dratted and had better obey
orders. "Unless you proceed at once
to the landing I'll send you under beria
guard," said he. t
"We will appeal to the American -
minister," I told him.
"American minister? Why he is
Walker's righthand man. Obey or
ders, boys, and keep out of trouble.
Move on or I'll call for a detail of
men to move you."
Protesting against such tyranny,
and disregard of our rights as Amer- :
ican citizens, we went to the steam
er, but just before she shoved off the no
[same officer appeared with an order *"
for me to report to the office of the
newspaper. That I refused flatly to
obey until the officer called a squad
of soldiers on duty at the landing *
who made a prisoner of and marched
me back to the plaza and to the print
Iing shop.
Thus did I become a private of the
First Rifles on detail duty.
a (To be continued.)
_0
- FORGETTING THE YEARS.
(Florence Riddick Boys).
n So long as my quick pulses thrill,
e And my fierce heart will not be still,
t Nor grow blase and cold;
ie So long as I have eager joy,
'e And loves' emotions do not cloy,-
'u I am not old! *
C< So long as enthusiasm springs, 4
Ad- nd laughter leaps, and hope has
wiPes
re dd enterprise far-flung,
ad So lbug as I dream, dare, and do,
e IAnd pin my faith to what is new,-
ey I still am young! i
Fuqua Hardware
Company, Ltd.
Headquarters for
BASEBALL GOODS
TENNIS RACKETS AND BALLS
ICY-IIOT BOTTLES
FISHING TACKLE
RIFLES and GUNS
LOADED SHELLS
FLASH LIGHTS
HUNTING KNIVES
Our Prices Are Always Right
I U
WISE HOUSEWIVES KNOW
, ,....... .. ..
'' *· s ~- P *··
s 't,, ,,, FUL GROCERY,:..i Y ` p., ., L'r °'"*
4i .i·~ 6·.t 1 .
PRCSEUAITVWIGHCRCEYC. •ACSNDRA
Is General Headquarters
e e ro oYoet
We"-', E l ;", roei F r oi .olr - io r o t R t r
ý, -"ý^"sý> x "Fýý . , a`ý,A~ý3 c ; .f°,.'. -+ý7w> _ A 'i s" ýt , 'ý zf
;;h . t. 1ýý>b+h( . .,` r,~. : , ity r)ý3xx'rr fý, ý -'
4 a
:, f' I V
"~r
THAT OR NOTH ST
PRICES,
SERV CEITYCO.,FUL WEGHT ROCRY TD. AC ONROA
IsGnra edqatr
WeExhag Or roeie FrYor olas-f o Ae otStifidReere h Pocm
o O
Automotive
o0
1 Equipment U
We carry everything for the Automobile
U Bumpers, Motor Meters, Springs, Piston Rings, Bulbs, 6
Spark Plugs, Coils, Carbon Brushes, Wool Dusters Re
liners, Timkin New Departure and Hoyt Bearings, and all
o of the sulililies for the automobile. O
C. Capital City Auto Co., Inc. N
d 0 1111 North Blvd. 120-24-28 Third St. 0
f
- pr' 01 O, ,.. O .'[0.,,...r O=O-.0 0 .0i
"Japan is anxious to get out of Si
beria," says Viscount Ishii, and not
on the funny page, either.
your family wash f
is giving you trou- .:
"ble let us help you.
See our plans onl
' page four telephone A
b1)ook. " '
iFlexibleI
". Laundry Company
as Family wash exclusively
Phone 131
L, $°i·fe*;;* ,
