Trending
The Spanish-American War in 1898 was a conflict between the United States and Spain that ended Spanish colonial rule in the Americas and resulted in U.S. acquisition of territories in the Western Pacific and Latin America. The war originated in the Cuban struggle for independence from Spain, which began in 1895. The growing popular demand for U.S. intervention increased after the sinking of the battleship USS Maine in the Havana harbor.
The U.S. Congress issues resolutions that declared Cuba's right to independence and demanded the withdrawal of Spain's armed forces from the island. Spain declared war on the United States on April 24, 1898, followed by a U.S. declaration of war. On May 1, 1898, Admiral George Dewey led a U.S. naval squadron into Manilla Bay in the Philippines and destroyed the anchored Spanish fleet in the morning engagement.
A story in the News Messenger of Lyon County on May 6, 1898, states that Marshall celebrated Admiral Dewey's naval victory over the Spanish fleet. "There was general rejoicing all through the day, and news bulletins were watched for with increasing eagerness. When evening came, everyone seemed to be anticipating some sort of demonstration, and the streets were filled with people. At about half past seven, the Grand Army drum corps came out in uniform. Patriotic songs burst forth and continued cheering rent the air, the bonfire grew larger, colored fires were burned, fireworks were hunted up and fire arms were brought out, and the whistles and bells gathered force."
The photograph featured this week from the Lyon County Museum's collection shows three men standing in front of a wagon with "The Lonesome Three Spanish American War Vets" on the side. They are identified as John Stanke, Arthur P. Rose, and Joe Whitney. The photograph was taken circa 1930s. Rose and Whitney are buried in the Marshall Cemetery and Stanke is buried at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.
The Lyon County Historical Society (LCHS) is a nonprofit, member-supported organization. LCHS operates the Lyon County Museum at 301 West Lyon Street in Marshall. The Lyon County Museum is open year-round to visitors. To contact us, visit our website: www.lyoncomuseum.org, call: 507-537-6580, email: director@lyoncomuseum.org, or on our Facebook page.