Providence County Military News
 

SOLDIER’S BODY ARRIVES HOME

Remains of Frank J. MEROW, JR., Who Died in Cuba Last Spring, Brought to This City 

There is sorrow mingled with joy at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Frank J. Merow, who reside at 98 Conant street, this city.  It is on account of the arrival home of the remains of their son, Frank, Jr., who died when fighting for his country’s flag at Havana, Cuba, April 26 of last year.  There is extreme sorrow as the arrival of the remains freshens the sadness of the death among the members of the family to which the deceased belonged; still there is joy over the arrival of the remains, as ever since the death of the mother, brothers and sisters have been ill at ease as they feared that the body did not receive proper burial.  Now that they know that the remains will be properly interred in their own family lot they are relieved of this feeling.

Merow died from typhoid malaria, and ever since his death his parents have exerted every effort to have the body shipped to their home in this city.  As he died in warm weather the government refused to allow the body to be transferred to America, but since the coming on of winter the parents have been persistent and were eventually rewarded by securing the remains.  Communications were sent to Washington and the following letter, dated Jan. 25, was received from Quartermaster W. T. Patton relative to the arrival of the body.

“Replying to your communication of Jan. 19, I am directed by the quartermaster general, to inform you that, upon arrival at New York city the remains of Frank Merow, late private, Battery B, 2^nd U. S. Artillery, who died April 26, 1899, at Havana, Cuba, of typhoid, unless otherwise instructed, shipment will be made to you at your address in Pawtucket, R. I., by express, at government expense, and notice at that time sent to you by telegraph.

“It is thought the work of disinterment in Cuba will be finished by the close of winter.”

Last evening Mrs. Merow received a telegram notifying her that the body had been shipped from New York and would arrive this morning.

A delegation from the family with the undertaker met the remains at the depot this morning and they were escorted to the home of the deceased.

If Merow had lived he would have been 30 years of age.  Merow was 29 years of age and a painter by trade.  When the war broke out he was living with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank J. Merow, at their home then, 21 Cronin court.  In September, 1898, he decided to enlist in the regular army and was sworn in at Providence, being immediately attached to Battery L, 2d Artillery, then located at Newport.  There he remained until Thanksgiving, drilling, studying and learning to be a soldier.  About Thanksgiving time it was decided to send the battery at Newport to Cuba, and with his comrades young Merow went to Camp Onward, Savannah, Ga., where he remained until Dec. 28, starting then for Cuba on the transport Manitoba.

It was not all smooth sailing, that trip that Merow and his fellow artillerymen made to Havana.  The Manitoba was for 24 hours aground on a sandbar 10 miles from Florida Keys.  Then she continued her trip, and on the first day of the year folled slowly into Havana harbor, ust in time to see the gaudy standard of Spain sink and Old Glory climb to the top of the flagstaff on Morrow Castle.

Merow wrote a description of this inspiring sight, and followed this missive with other letters and some curiosities that he picked up, until Jan. 25.  Then his letters ceased.

Finally there came a letter from Levi Boudreau, a comrade.  He wrote that Merow was seriously ill, that he had been seized ust after he had received a furlough to come home for a visit, and that he was unable to write.  From time to time, at irregular intervals word was received from the son by his parents.  His illness was yellow fever, but his good constitution withstood the ravages of the disease, and the time came when he was declared convalescent.  Then before he had recovered sufficiently to write himself, he was attacked by typhoid malaria, and he had three relapses.  Word of his condition reached his family now and then from his companion Boudreau and once, when they wrote to him and addressed the letter to his regiment it came back indorsed by his Captain to the effect that he was in the hospital quite ill, but with a probability of recovery.

On May 2, 1899, Mr. Merow received the following letter at his home in this city: 

Battery B., 2d Artillery

Muestran??, Havana, Cuba

April 27, 1899 

Mrs. Mary Merow, 21 Cronin Court, Pawtucket, R. I. 

My Dear Madam – It becomes my duty to convey to you the sad intelligence of the death of your son, Frank J. Merow, which took place at Hospital No. 1, Havana, Cuba, at 2 o’clock yesterday morning.  I have expected the result for some days, when I heard that he had suffered another relapse.  Please inform me at your earliest convenience what disposition you desire be made of his effects, which are held subject to your orders.  Permit me to extend to you my sympathy in your hour of bereavement.

Very respectfully,

A. C. Taylor, Captain 2d Artillery, Commanding Battery B.

By the same mail came a letter from Priv. Boudreau, saying that it was proposed to sell Merow’s effects at auction and send the money, together with the pay due him, to his family.

The Levi Beaudreau referred to was at the house this morning when the remains of his deceased comrade arrived.  He said that when he died the remains were interred in Christobel Colon Cemetery, Havana.

He spoke highly of his comrade and felt as grieved as the members of the stricken family over the loss of his friend. 

The casket was of quartered oak and silver mounted.

The funeral will be held tomorrow from St. John’s Church.  [Pawtucket Times, Feb. 20, 1900, Submitted by Karen Seeman]

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