Diary 74-05: May, 1898 - preliminary transcript

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Monday May 2

Cloudy & cool -- same work -- down town short time in evening -- Commodore Dewey's fleet engaged the Spanish fleet at Manila yesterday and after severe engagement with both it and the forts completely conquered the fleet -- with great loss of ships and men -- Then he summoned the Spanish Captain General to surrender, and on refusal commenced vigorous bombardment -- doing great and speedy damage -- After a while a flag of truce was displayed and in the evening Manila surrendered & was taken possession of by US marines -- Capt Terrence J Tally died at his home at Virginia yesterday morning of pneumonia -- after only 2 days sickness -- Native of County Tyrone Ireland aged 62 -- Formerly chief of Police and always prominent in Va & Storey County --

44 -- 5,000 Pacific Coast Troops for the Phillipines A Rich Capture -- Cable Cut -- Maine Wreck Destroyed Dewey the Big Hero -- California Lecture

Tuesday May 3

Same -- Finished writing up to date -- 5,000 troops to be sent to Phillipine Islands from Pacific coast -- The Cruiser Nashville this morning, off Key West captured Spanish steamer Argonaut, carrying Spanish soldiers & provisions -- One of the richest prizes yet taken -- Dewey is the hero now and is to be promoted from Commodore to Admiral -- for his gallant service at Manila -- Bed 12 -- Miss Helen Kelleker gave an illustrated

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lecture on "California" -- 200 colored stereopticon views of California scenery, towns, cities, mines, etc -- under auspices of State University -- Patriotic music, singing etc -- admittance 25 & 35 cts -- full house -- The SF Examiner publishes the following special telegram, dated Washington May 1: The State Department learned today through secret agents that the wreck of the battleship Maine now lying in Havana harbor, has been destroyed by Spanish authorities, it is suppoed to prevent the raising of the wreck after the capture of Havana.

White Frost -- Cavalry Enlistment at Carson -- 1898 Manila War News -- Martial Law in Madrid Chas M Shortridge -- Shortridge

Wednesday May 4

Clear & pleasant -- White frost last night -- not sufficient to do material damage -- Bowels checked and improving -- Enlistment of cavalrymen going on lively at Carson, from here and the Comstock, etc -- The Pacific Mail steamship, City of Peking has been purchased or chartered by Gov't, to take 1,000 troops and military supplies to Manila as soon as possible -- 5,000 to be sent -- other ships being negotiated for -- The 30,000 insurgents at Manila put themselves under Commodore Dewey's command and at his service -- Devil to pay to Madrid, Spaniards terribly excited over the Manila defeat, and quarreling with each other -- riot and revolution threatened -- Martial law proclaimed -- Charles M Shortridge of the San Jose Mercury,

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and formerly of the SF Call has been at Carson for the last 5 or 6 weeks -- Today's S.F. Examiner tells this on him: ((clipping here))

46 -- Shortridge in Reno -- Cavalry Enlistments Merrick Booth -- Dewey's Manila Report -- Dewey Good

Thursday May 5

Same -- Odd jobs about home -- Chas M Shortridge was in Reno today -- 28 volunteers for Nevada cavalry arrived from Elko county this morning and went on up to Carson on PM local -- Merrick Booth one of them -- Met him & we had quite an old time chat together -- his mother and sister Lily (Mrs Getchell) are living at Seattle Commodore Dewey's report received, is reported to say that he lost 50 men and 100 wounded in his big battle at Manila -- Two of his ships badly damaged -- wants a hospital ship and 2,000 soldiers immediately -- He will get them and more too -- Twenty three cavalry recruits from the Comstock went to Carson yesterday, and 16 from here for enlistment in the cavalry quota -- Big crowd at the Virginia depot saw the boys off for Carson -- band of music and enthusiastic cheering --

French Ship Lafayette Captured and Released -- 1898 Jeffries whips Sharkey -- Dewey's Official Report!!! Grand Celebration of the Grandest Victory

Friday May 6

Same -- odd jobs -- sewing, etc -- A French ship was captured last evening trying to run the blockade into Havana -- Her name was Lafayette -- Evening

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Sharkey and Jeffries fought -- 20 rounds at Woodward's Pavilion, S.F. Jeffries was declared winner at the end of the 20th round -- Pretty even sort of a fight -- Bed 12 -- (The French ship captured was released next day.)

Saturday May 7

Same -- Official report from Dewey received at Washington this morning -- That of Thursday was hasty or premature -- (see opposite page) He reports that he cut the telegraphic cable to Hong Kong for a starter, then went into Manila harbor and totally destroyed the Spanish war fleet, of 11 vessels and silenced the land batteries -- Spaniards loss, 150 men and 300 or 400 wounded -- No American loss -- half a dozen wounded -- no ship damaged -- He is in full command of the situation and calls for troops to help him hold it -- They will commence going to him from San F next week probably -- Great rejoicing throughout the whole country today, San Francisco, the Comstock, Carson etc -- At Va, the flags & decorations went up -- Band paraded during the PM, and great military parade in evening, procession, torchlight, music, etc -- Here in Reno it was like the 4th of July in flags

48 -- Reno's Dewey Celebration Inter-collegiate Athletic Contest Adolph Sutro -- a Hopeless Imbecile

& decorations -- Evening the University cadets and Company C, NNG, paraded the streets with band, and there was big meeting at crossing of Virginia and Third streets -- President Stubbs of the University presided & made speech --

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also Dr Patterson, Hon S Summerfield, Judge Cheney and Rev Mr Hudleson -- big bonfires on the Plaza and dynamite shooting -- Cannon at University fired national salute -- Much cheering and singing of national songs -- Everybody felt proud that he was an American -- Greatest victory the world ever saw -- Bed 12 -- University field day -- Athletic sports contest between the Stanfords of Cal and our Nevada University boys -- Inter-collegiate contest -- The Stanfords had the best of it, generally -- Was held at the race track -- Adolph Sutro was removed from his home by the sea to that of his daughter and Guardian, Dr Emma Merritt in San F, for better and more convenient care and treatment day before yesterday -- taken on a litter in an ambulance -- Hopelessly imbecile -- His younger daughter, Clara Sutro, raised big row over removal -- threaten to appeal to the law, etc.

50 -- Rewriting Journal of 1896 Expected Naval Battle -- Dewey's Miracle Confirmed Dewey Made Rear Admiral and Thanked by Congress Reno -- Volunteers on Furlough

Sunday May 8

Same -- AM down town -- PM I commenced writing or re-writing Journal Book No 72 -- 1896 -- the whole year with my regulation size book like this one -- No later war news -- Spanish war fleet reported to have arrived at Puerto Rico, and Sampson's fleet headed that way -- a collision is expected in a day or two -- Dewey's official report fully confirmed -- Greatest naval victory and achievement ever known in the world -- Seems like a miracle

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