CLYDE OWEN FRANCE
B. 9 Mar 1876
D. 11 June 1902 - Cebu, Philippine Islands
Click here to view his FindAGrave memorial.
B. 9 Mar 1876
D. 11 June 1902 - Cebu, Philippine Islands
Click here to view his FindAGrave memorial.
CAPTURED BY NATIVES------
Berea Teacher Among Those Lost in the Philippines
WASHINGTON, June 28. - The war department today made public the names and home address of the four teachers who have been missing from Cebu, Island of Cebu, Philippine Islands, since June 10, 1902, as follows:
Clyde O. France, Berea, O.
Ernest Heger, No. 114 North Fortieth street, Philadelphia.
L.A. Thomas, No. 209 Montgomery avenue, Provindence, R.I.
John E. Wells, No. 209 Montgomery avenue, Providence, R.I.
An associated press report, dated June 27, said that members of the native constabulary who killed a man for resisting arrest, found on his person the revolver, watch and chain which had belonged to Mr. Thomas, one of the missing teachers.
(Cleveland Plain Dealer (Ohio), 29 June 1902, page 1)
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MAY STILL BE ALIVE
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Governor of the Philippines is Trying to Find Out About Missing School Teachers
WASHINGTON, July 3. - Secretary Root has received the following cablegram from Acting Governor Wright of the Philippines in response to the war department's inquiry concerning the four school teachers reported captured by Filipinos in Cebu.
"Referring to telegram from your office of 1st inst., constabulary using every effort to recapture school teachers. Have killed and captured several of the gang. Latter claim school teachers still alive as late as June 26. Will furnish further information as soon as received."
The names of the teachers are Clyde France, Ernst Heger, Louis A. Thomas and John E. Wells.
Clyde O. France, one of the missing teachers, is an Ohio boy, having made his home near Alliance. He has relatives residing in Berea who have been very much alarmed over the absence of news from his party.
(Cleveland Plain Dealer (Ohio), 4 July 1902, page 6)
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DEAD TEACHERS AVENGED
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Ladrones Who Murdered Ohio Teachers in the Philippines Killed or Captured
WASHINGTON, July 23. - The war department today received the following telegram regarding the school teachers who have been missing from Cebu since June 10:
"John E. Wells, No. 209 Montgomery avenue, Providence, R.I., and his cousin, Louis A. Thomas, same address; Ernst Heger, No. 1413 Vine street, Cincinnati, O.; Clyde A. [sic] France, Berea, O., missing Cebu, murdered by Ladrones, bodies recovered. Leader murderers killed, eight other captured by the constabulary."
Ernest [sic] Heger left Cincinnati Feb. 26, 1902, to become a teacher in the Philippine Islands. He was a graduate of the Cincinnati university, class of 1899. His father, Carl Heger, was today notified by the war department of his son's death. Only one hour before he received the message from the war department he had received a letter from Jessie France of Berea, O., who is a cousin of Louis S. Thomas, reported killed with Heger, saying that Thomas was safe in Japan. She had received a letter from him from Japan dated June 6. Heger will forward this letter to the war department.
(Cleveland Plain Dealer (Ohio), 24 July 1902, page 5)
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Berea Teacher Among Those Lost in the Philippines
WASHINGTON, June 28. - The war department today made public the names and home address of the four teachers who have been missing from Cebu, Island of Cebu, Philippine Islands, since June 10, 1902, as follows:
Clyde O. France, Berea, O.
Ernest Heger, No. 114 North Fortieth street, Philadelphia.
L.A. Thomas, No. 209 Montgomery avenue, Provindence, R.I.
John E. Wells, No. 209 Montgomery avenue, Providence, R.I.
An associated press report, dated June 27, said that members of the native constabulary who killed a man for resisting arrest, found on his person the revolver, watch and chain which had belonged to Mr. Thomas, one of the missing teachers.
(Cleveland Plain Dealer (Ohio), 29 June 1902, page 1)
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MAY STILL BE ALIVE
------
Governor of the Philippines is Trying to Find Out About Missing School Teachers
WASHINGTON, July 3. - Secretary Root has received the following cablegram from Acting Governor Wright of the Philippines in response to the war department's inquiry concerning the four school teachers reported captured by Filipinos in Cebu.
"Referring to telegram from your office of 1st inst., constabulary using every effort to recapture school teachers. Have killed and captured several of the gang. Latter claim school teachers still alive as late as June 26. Will furnish further information as soon as received."
The names of the teachers are Clyde France, Ernst Heger, Louis A. Thomas and John E. Wells.
Clyde O. France, one of the missing teachers, is an Ohio boy, having made his home near Alliance. He has relatives residing in Berea who have been very much alarmed over the absence of news from his party.
(Cleveland Plain Dealer (Ohio), 4 July 1902, page 6)
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DEAD TEACHERS AVENGED
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Ladrones Who Murdered Ohio Teachers in the Philippines Killed or Captured
WASHINGTON, July 23. - The war department today received the following telegram regarding the school teachers who have been missing from Cebu since June 10:
"John E. Wells, No. 209 Montgomery avenue, Providence, R.I., and his cousin, Louis A. Thomas, same address; Ernst Heger, No. 1413 Vine street, Cincinnati, O.; Clyde A. [sic] France, Berea, O., missing Cebu, murdered by Ladrones, bodies recovered. Leader murderers killed, eight other captured by the constabulary."
Ernest [sic] Heger left Cincinnati Feb. 26, 1902, to become a teacher in the Philippine Islands. He was a graduate of the Cincinnati university, class of 1899. His father, Carl Heger, was today notified by the war department of his son's death. Only one hour before he received the message from the war department he had received a letter from Jessie France of Berea, O., who is a cousin of Louis S. Thomas, reported killed with Heger, saying that Thomas was safe in Japan. She had received a letter from him from Japan dated June 6. Heger will forward this letter to the war department.
(Cleveland Plain Dealer (Ohio), 24 July 1902, page 5)
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CLYDE O. FRANCE
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A Brother of a Berea Teacher Disappears in the Philippines
Miss Jessie France, a teacher in the Berea Public Schools, received a cable on Thursday from the Philippine Islands bearing the unwelcome news that her brother, Clyde O. France, was lost in the Philippines. It read as follows: "Clyde O. France and three teachers disappeared in the mountains June 11. Little hopes. Brown"
Mr. Brown and France were college chums, having been graduated with the class of 1900 of Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware. They in company with several other teachers, left this country in February, and soon after their arrival in Manilla, ten of the teachers, including France and Brown were sent to the island of Cebu, 200 miles south of Luzon.
In a recent letter to his relatives, France, writing from the town of Cebu, referred to a day's outing in the mountains which was contemplated by the teachers, and it is thought by his relatives here that it was on this occasion that his disappearance occurred.
Efforts are now being made to ascertain the identity of the companions of France who are also reported missing. Miss France entertains the brightest hopes possible under the circumstances, believing that Mr. Brown will do all in his power to locate the whereabouts of her brother.
Mr. France is twenty-seven years of age. Shortly after his departure for the Philippines his mother and younger sister, Miss Ruth, came from their home in Stark county to Berea to reside.
A later dispatch from Manila, dated June 30, says: There is a possibility that the four American teachers of Cebu, who have been missing since June 10, are alive. A native who was made prisoner by the constabulary of Cebu says the four teachers were prisoners in the mountains of the island June 26.
(Berea Advertiser (Ohio), 4 July 1902, page 3)
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CLYDE O. FRANCE
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Murdered by Ladrones
It is now definitely known that Clyde O. France and three companions were murdered by native Ladrones in the Philippines. The murderers were pursued by American Soldiers and the leader of the treacherous band of outlaws was killed, three others captured. The government will secure the remains and send them home.
Clyde O. France was born on Mar. 9, 1876. He graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware. On Feb. 23 he left for the Philippines. With him there was a Mr. Brown and it was through his efforts that his body was recovered. He was sent to Cebu to teach. A party of teachers went to the mountains on a picnic excursion and he was captured by natives on June 10. The family of young France, consisting of his mother, brother, and two sisters, have lived in Berea during the past year, one of the sisters being a teacher in the Public Schools. Their home is in Ladies' Hall on the South side.
Later.
A despatch from Manila in this morning's paper says: - The bodies of four school teachers, who have been missing since June 10, have been found in the mountains near Cebu, Island Cebu, where their captors had murdered them. The police killed the leader of the band and captured eight other alleged participants in the crime. One of them escaped. Neither the circumstances surrounding the death of the teachers nor the date of the murders is known. The bodies were taken into Cebu and buried.
(Berea Advertiser, 25 July 1902)
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A Brother of a Berea Teacher Disappears in the Philippines
Miss Jessie France, a teacher in the Berea Public Schools, received a cable on Thursday from the Philippine Islands bearing the unwelcome news that her brother, Clyde O. France, was lost in the Philippines. It read as follows: "Clyde O. France and three teachers disappeared in the mountains June 11. Little hopes. Brown"
Mr. Brown and France were college chums, having been graduated with the class of 1900 of Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware. They in company with several other teachers, left this country in February, and soon after their arrival in Manilla, ten of the teachers, including France and Brown were sent to the island of Cebu, 200 miles south of Luzon.
In a recent letter to his relatives, France, writing from the town of Cebu, referred to a day's outing in the mountains which was contemplated by the teachers, and it is thought by his relatives here that it was on this occasion that his disappearance occurred.
Efforts are now being made to ascertain the identity of the companions of France who are also reported missing. Miss France entertains the brightest hopes possible under the circumstances, believing that Mr. Brown will do all in his power to locate the whereabouts of her brother.
Mr. France is twenty-seven years of age. Shortly after his departure for the Philippines his mother and younger sister, Miss Ruth, came from their home in Stark county to Berea to reside.
A later dispatch from Manila, dated June 30, says: There is a possibility that the four American teachers of Cebu, who have been missing since June 10, are alive. A native who was made prisoner by the constabulary of Cebu says the four teachers were prisoners in the mountains of the island June 26.
(Berea Advertiser (Ohio), 4 July 1902, page 3)
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CLYDE O. FRANCE
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Murdered by Ladrones
It is now definitely known that Clyde O. France and three companions were murdered by native Ladrones in the Philippines. The murderers were pursued by American Soldiers and the leader of the treacherous band of outlaws was killed, three others captured. The government will secure the remains and send them home.
Clyde O. France was born on Mar. 9, 1876. He graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware. On Feb. 23 he left for the Philippines. With him there was a Mr. Brown and it was through his efforts that his body was recovered. He was sent to Cebu to teach. A party of teachers went to the mountains on a picnic excursion and he was captured by natives on June 10. The family of young France, consisting of his mother, brother, and two sisters, have lived in Berea during the past year, one of the sisters being a teacher in the Public Schools. Their home is in Ladies' Hall on the South side.
Later.
A despatch from Manila in this morning's paper says: - The bodies of four school teachers, who have been missing since June 10, have been found in the mountains near Cebu, Island Cebu, where their captors had murdered them. The police killed the leader of the band and captured eight other alleged participants in the crime. One of them escaped. Neither the circumstances surrounding the death of the teachers nor the date of the murders is known. The bodies were taken into Cebu and buried.
(Berea Advertiser, 25 July 1902)
TO RECAPTURE TEACHERS
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Troops in the Philippines After Natives That Caught the Party.
WASHINGTON, D.C., July 3 -- Secretary Root has received the following cablegram from Acting Governor Weight, of the Philippines, in response to the war departments inquiry concerning the four school teachers reported captured by Filipinos in Cebu:
"Referring to telegram from your office of 1st instant. Constabulary using every effort to recapture school teachers. Have killed and captured several of the gang. Latter claim school teachers still alive as late as June 26. Will furnish further information as soon as received."
The names of the teachers are: Clyde France, Ernest P. Eger, Louis A. Thomas and John E. Wells.
(The St. Paul Globe, Minn., 4 July 1902)
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Troops in the Philippines After Natives That Caught the Party.
WASHINGTON, D.C., July 3 -- Secretary Root has received the following cablegram from Acting Governor Weight, of the Philippines, in response to the war departments inquiry concerning the four school teachers reported captured by Filipinos in Cebu:
"Referring to telegram from your office of 1st instant. Constabulary using every effort to recapture school teachers. Have killed and captured several of the gang. Latter claim school teachers still alive as late as June 26. Will furnish further information as soon as received."
The names of the teachers are: Clyde France, Ernest P. Eger, Louis A. Thomas and John E. Wells.
(The St. Paul Globe, Minn., 4 July 1902)
MISSING AMERICANS KILLED
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Bodies of Victims of Philippine Ladrones Recovered
The War Department received this morning the following cablegram from Acting Governor Wright at Manila:
"John E. Wells, 209 Montgomery avenue, Providence, R.I., and his cousin, Louis A. Thomas, same address; Ernest Heger, 1413 Vine street, Cincinnati, O.; Clyde A. [sic] France, Berea, O.; missing Cebu, murdered by ladrones and their bodies have been recovered. Leader of the murders was killed; eight others captured by the constabulary."
Clyde O. France was a cousin of C. W. Taylor, assistant chief, division of appointments, Post Office Department. Mr. France was a graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University, class of 1901. He served with the 4th Ohio Volunteers in the Spanish-American war and sailed for Manila February 22 last.
Greay anxiety has been felt regarding these missing Americans. They disappeared early in June and every effort was made to rescue them. Varying reports were received regarding their condition and lively hopes were entertained that they would be recovered. The War Department has been unremitting in its exertions in behalf of the unfortunate persons. The latest report has however extinguished all hope.
(Evening Star, Washington DC, 23 July 1902)
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Bodies of Victims of Philippine Ladrones Recovered
The War Department received this morning the following cablegram from Acting Governor Wright at Manila:
"John E. Wells, 209 Montgomery avenue, Providence, R.I., and his cousin, Louis A. Thomas, same address; Ernest Heger, 1413 Vine street, Cincinnati, O.; Clyde A. [sic] France, Berea, O.; missing Cebu, murdered by ladrones and their bodies have been recovered. Leader of the murders was killed; eight others captured by the constabulary."
Clyde O. France was a cousin of C. W. Taylor, assistant chief, division of appointments, Post Office Department. Mr. France was a graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University, class of 1901. He served with the 4th Ohio Volunteers in the Spanish-American war and sailed for Manila February 22 last.
Greay anxiety has been felt regarding these missing Americans. They disappeared early in June and every effort was made to rescue them. Varying reports were received regarding their condition and lively hopes were entertained that they would be recovered. The War Department has been unremitting in its exertions in behalf of the unfortunate persons. The latest report has however extinguished all hope.
(Evening Star, Washington DC, 23 July 1902)
SLAIN BY LADRONES
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Bodies of the Missing School Teachers Found
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Leader of the Murderers Killed and Wight Others Captured
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Washington, July 24 -- The war department has received the following cablegram regarding the school teachers who have been missing from Cebu since June 1:
"John E. Wells, 209 Montgomery avenue, Providence, R.I., and his cousin, Louis A. Thomas, same address; Ernest Heger, 1413 Vine street, Cincinnati, O.; Clyde A. [sic] France, Berea, O.; missing Cebu, murdered by Ladrones, bodies recovered. Leader murders killed; eight others captured by constabulary."
(Paducah Sun, KY, 24 July 1902)
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Bodies of the Missing School Teachers Found
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Leader of the Murderers Killed and Wight Others Captured
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Washington, July 24 -- The war department has received the following cablegram regarding the school teachers who have been missing from Cebu since June 1:
"John E. Wells, 209 Montgomery avenue, Providence, R.I., and his cousin, Louis A. Thomas, same address; Ernest Heger, 1413 Vine street, Cincinnati, O.; Clyde A. [sic] France, Berea, O.; missing Cebu, murdered by Ladrones, bodies recovered. Leader murders killed; eight others captured by constabulary."
(Paducah Sun, KY, 24 July 1902)
All Murdered
The war department has received a cablegram from Manila announcing that John Wells and Louis Thomas of Providence, R. I., Ernest Heger of Cincinnati, and Clyde France of Berea, Ohio, school teachers who have been missing in Cebu, were murdered by Ladrones and their bodies have been recovered. The leaders of the murderers were killed and eight others captured.
(The Arizona Sentinal, Yuma, Ariz., 30 July 1902)
The war department has received a cablegram from Manila announcing that John Wells and Louis Thomas of Providence, R. I., Ernest Heger of Cincinnati, and Clyde France of Berea, Ohio, school teachers who have been missing in Cebu, were murdered by Ladrones and their bodies have been recovered. The leaders of the murderers were killed and eight others captured.
(The Arizona Sentinal, Yuma, Ariz., 30 July 1902)
SETBACK TO EDUCATION
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Horrible Murder of Four American School Teachers in the Filipines
San Francisco, Sept. 20.-- The first deatils of the murder of Ernest Heger, Lewis Thomas, Clyde O. France and John E. Wells, American school teachers, at Cebu, P.I., on June 11, have just been received by mail. Mateo Luga, formerly an insurgent general, but now a lieutenant in the United States constabulary, has confirmed the news.
He pretended to be a deserter, and made his way to the camp of the bandit, Tabotadan. Luga found the latter, but the leader suspected him, and a quarrel he drew a silver mounted revolver that Luga identified as belonging to Wells. Luga rushed at him, and escaping the bandit's fire shot Tabotadan dead.
Luga found a gold watch, field glasses and other articles belonging to the missing teachers. He also brought in a native who told of the murder, and led searchers to the graves.
It seems that eight Ladrones captured the teachers, stripped them and then actually made them dig their own graves. Heger and Thomas were made to stand by the graves and were shot, falling into the holes.
Wells and France tried to run, but were shot sown and tumbled into the graves withe their companions,
Three men in the Ladrones party were captured by the Americans and made to carry their victims' bodies to Cebu. Heger was from Cincinnati and France was from the northern part of Ohio.
(Ocala Evening Star, Florida, 20 Sept 1902)
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Horrible Murder of Four American School Teachers in the Filipines
San Francisco, Sept. 20.-- The first deatils of the murder of Ernest Heger, Lewis Thomas, Clyde O. France and John E. Wells, American school teachers, at Cebu, P.I., on June 11, have just been received by mail. Mateo Luga, formerly an insurgent general, but now a lieutenant in the United States constabulary, has confirmed the news.
He pretended to be a deserter, and made his way to the camp of the bandit, Tabotadan. Luga found the latter, but the leader suspected him, and a quarrel he drew a silver mounted revolver that Luga identified as belonging to Wells. Luga rushed at him, and escaping the bandit's fire shot Tabotadan dead.
Luga found a gold watch, field glasses and other articles belonging to the missing teachers. He also brought in a native who told of the murder, and led searchers to the graves.
It seems that eight Ladrones captured the teachers, stripped them and then actually made them dig their own graves. Heger and Thomas were made to stand by the graves and were shot, falling into the holes.
Wells and France tried to run, but were shot sown and tumbled into the graves withe their companions,
Three men in the Ladrones party were captured by the Americans and made to carry their victims' bodies to Cebu. Heger was from Cincinnati and France was from the northern part of Ohio.
(Ocala Evening Star, Florida, 20 Sept 1902)
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WOULDN'T LOOK FOR THE MISSING
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Ohio Boy Writes of Civil Government in Philippines
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Made Search Himself for Teachers Killed by Natives
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The fate of several American school teachers who were killed in the Philippines is brought vividly to view by a letter from H.H. Brown, a nephew of Dr. and MRs. Campbell, who is a teacher in the island possessions and who left Orrville one year ago to cast his fortunes with affairs in the far east, says the Orrville (O.) Crescent. The letter was written at Malabuyoc, Isla De Cebu, P.I., Sunday, July 21, 1902. The Mr. France mentioned in the letter, who was killed, was an Ohio boy, and raised at Minerva, Stark county. His mother and sisters now live at Berea. The letter in part follows:
"My Dear Aunt: Your kind letter, dated the 10th of May, reached me two weeks ago while still in the city of Cebu. As you see from the letterhead I have once again changed my quarters like a nomad of the desert and have moved a little nearer the equator. The parrallel of 10 degrees north runs through my town and Caracus, Venezuela, is on the same parallel, so you can easily see how much farther south I am than you are.
"I wrote to you in the first week of June, having landed in Cebu from Manila on Decoration day. That letter was written in the house which was then called our home by six Americans whose purposes in the Philippines were the same. That was then a happy home, whose members I had introduced to you. In a few short days how all was changed. The peace and happiness and friendship had gone forever and the home was a ruin, haunted by the specters of sorrow and grief and a terrible experience. I should have written you ere this, but there was nothing definite and all was suspense. You have likely read the news in the papers and I suppose Mrs. France has written to you about the sad occurrence, as I cabled to her three weeks ago. On the morning of the 11th of June Mr. France, Mr. Wells, Mr. Thomas and Mr. Heger left for a trip to the mountains, only three miles distant from the city, and have never been seen since. We had made several visits to the mountains and had never seen anything suspicious or anything that would warrant fear. We were not warned or informed concerning desperate "ladrones" in the mountains, as the Manila papers stated. In our visits then the people had appeared very friendly and we had no reason to doubt our safety. We had planned this trip upon this day the week before as being the last visit we could make together in the hills, as the institute was held the following week and after that we would set out for our respective stations, likely in different parts of the island. On the Monday previous to the fatal Wednesday I had an attack of malaria or dengue fever and that night and Tuesday I filled myself with quinine, consequently on Wednesday morning my head was ringing, although I felt fairly well otherwise. I debated with myself whether I should go or not, but finally decided considering my condition I had better not attempt mountain climbing that day. The boys hurried to get off early so as to reach the top of the mountains before the heat of the day.
France and I were lying on our blankets talking when one of the boys came to the door and seeing France not ready said, "Aren't you going, France?" And I shall ever remember his words for now they ring in my ears like the tolling of a curfew. "No. I'll stay with Brown," and I said, "No. I'm not sick, you go, for Holmes is not going and he will be here." He arose put on his coat and hat, took his camera and started out. I went to the window to see them off. As Clyde reached the street he called back wanted to know if I wished a picture from the mountains. I replied if he wished and he came back, I gave him two plates and he joined his companions in the street. I watched them turn up the way leading to the mountains and have never seen them since.
That farewell look as they faded out of sight will never fade from my memory. It is a moment never to be forgotten, as the days of anguish and suspense since. Mr. Holmes had been to the mountains the Sunday before so he did not care to go. This left him and myself at home. Had it not been for that little attack of malaria I would surely have been in the crowd and perhaps Holmes also. Had there been six this terrible affair might not have happened, for these men are afraid of Americans and never attack a large crowd. In every other visit there were six of us and always three revolvers, while upon the fatal day there were only four with one revolver.
The boys did not return at supper time and after waiting some time we ate. It was nearing sunset and I began to grow uneasy. I walked out to the environs but could not see them and returned to the house. In a little while it began to rain very hard and continued for several hours. At 8:30 we went through the rain and reported it to the guard's office at the soldiers' quarters and ha happening to be Capt. Woodward telephoned to constabulary headquarters. So the matter was reported promptly to the police and authorities. The boys failed to appear that night and I went up to police headquarters and informed them myself. Bodies of men were sent into the mountains, but most people at that time thought they had only got lost and would soon return. I never for a moment entertained that theory and felt sure they had met with violence of some sort. I knew the boys too well to have them tell me that they were wandering around viewing the sights and would return. Some of the officers told me they should have had more sense than to go there and several of us had several wrangles at different times when I informed them they were treating the matter too lightly and that urgent measures should be taken.
The next day after their disappearance Holmes and myself wished to go in search of them. Although that constabulary scoffed at the idea of violence they would not give us arms with which to go into the field. Finally they gave us permission to head a body of eight native policemen. We went into the mountains and hunted all that day, only finding one trace and that was a mile from town, where they had bought mangoes and bananas on their way to the mountains. Nothing more than that evidence was discovered for more than two weeks. We were forbidden by the constabulary and our superintendent, H.E. Bard, to go in search of the missing boys. On the eleventh day after their disappearance eight school teachers, fully armed, went out in search of them. We searched the mountains again without avail and on our return met a squad of police sent out to arrest us. They did not serve the papers as we were coming home. I endeavored to get the co-operation of the military but since the island has passed from military to civil government the military has no "say" until called upon to act by the civil authorities in cases of extreme necessity. There is a clash in the Philippine islands between the civil and military authorities and although the military wanted to aid they could not; thus the greatest aid was not secured. The people will not give evidence against their brothers. The military forced it from them and of course the civil cannot. On their way to the mountains the boys passed at least two dozen houses. In only one house could we or any of the authorities get anyone to say that the teachers had been seen, and yet any American could not pass one of those houses without being "craned at" by at least half a dozen. They will look at you for five minutes without winking in opened eyed amazement. These are some of the difficulties we have met with. A little over two weeks ago a "ladrone" robber was killed in the mountains by the constabulary with the revolver carried by Mr. Wells and the watch of Mr. Thomas on his person. I identified the revolver and the watch. This establishes without a doubt the fact that they fell into the hands of "ladrones," whether killed or held as prisoners no one knows. A constabulary officer told me the night before I left for my present station that he would say unofficially that the boys were alive and that they would soon be with us. I do not believe it, for he has lied too often to me that I place no confidence in him whatever. The superintendent was to inform me by telegraph if anything worth while was discovered. I have received nothing more. We were compelled to leave for our stations the 28th of June and the superintendent would not grant me any leave of absence from my station. Mr. Holmes took sick and I had to nurse him until they took him to the hospital, so we remained in Cebu until the 3rd of July. I then closed up the house and came to my present situation on boat. This is the whole of the sad, sad story."
(Cleveland Plain Dealer (Ohio), 12 Oct 1902, page 43)
WOULDN'T LOOK FOR THE MISSING
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Ohio Boy Writes of Civil Government in Philippines
-----
Made Search Himself for Teachers Killed by Natives
-----
The fate of several American school teachers who were killed in the Philippines is brought vividly to view by a letter from H.H. Brown, a nephew of Dr. and MRs. Campbell, who is a teacher in the island possessions and who left Orrville one year ago to cast his fortunes with affairs in the far east, says the Orrville (O.) Crescent. The letter was written at Malabuyoc, Isla De Cebu, P.I., Sunday, July 21, 1902. The Mr. France mentioned in the letter, who was killed, was an Ohio boy, and raised at Minerva, Stark county. His mother and sisters now live at Berea. The letter in part follows:
"My Dear Aunt: Your kind letter, dated the 10th of May, reached me two weeks ago while still in the city of Cebu. As you see from the letterhead I have once again changed my quarters like a nomad of the desert and have moved a little nearer the equator. The parrallel of 10 degrees north runs through my town and Caracus, Venezuela, is on the same parallel, so you can easily see how much farther south I am than you are.
"I wrote to you in the first week of June, having landed in Cebu from Manila on Decoration day. That letter was written in the house which was then called our home by six Americans whose purposes in the Philippines were the same. That was then a happy home, whose members I had introduced to you. In a few short days how all was changed. The peace and happiness and friendship had gone forever and the home was a ruin, haunted by the specters of sorrow and grief and a terrible experience. I should have written you ere this, but there was nothing definite and all was suspense. You have likely read the news in the papers and I suppose Mrs. France has written to you about the sad occurrence, as I cabled to her three weeks ago. On the morning of the 11th of June Mr. France, Mr. Wells, Mr. Thomas and Mr. Heger left for a trip to the mountains, only three miles distant from the city, and have never been seen since. We had made several visits to the mountains and had never seen anything suspicious or anything that would warrant fear. We were not warned or informed concerning desperate "ladrones" in the mountains, as the Manila papers stated. In our visits then the people had appeared very friendly and we had no reason to doubt our safety. We had planned this trip upon this day the week before as being the last visit we could make together in the hills, as the institute was held the following week and after that we would set out for our respective stations, likely in different parts of the island. On the Monday previous to the fatal Wednesday I had an attack of malaria or dengue fever and that night and Tuesday I filled myself with quinine, consequently on Wednesday morning my head was ringing, although I felt fairly well otherwise. I debated with myself whether I should go or not, but finally decided considering my condition I had better not attempt mountain climbing that day. The boys hurried to get off early so as to reach the top of the mountains before the heat of the day.
France and I were lying on our blankets talking when one of the boys came to the door and seeing France not ready said, "Aren't you going, France?" And I shall ever remember his words for now they ring in my ears like the tolling of a curfew. "No. I'll stay with Brown," and I said, "No. I'm not sick, you go, for Holmes is not going and he will be here." He arose put on his coat and hat, took his camera and started out. I went to the window to see them off. As Clyde reached the street he called back wanted to know if I wished a picture from the mountains. I replied if he wished and he came back, I gave him two plates and he joined his companions in the street. I watched them turn up the way leading to the mountains and have never seen them since.
That farewell look as they faded out of sight will never fade from my memory. It is a moment never to be forgotten, as the days of anguish and suspense since. Mr. Holmes had been to the mountains the Sunday before so he did not care to go. This left him and myself at home. Had it not been for that little attack of malaria I would surely have been in the crowd and perhaps Holmes also. Had there been six this terrible affair might not have happened, for these men are afraid of Americans and never attack a large crowd. In every other visit there were six of us and always three revolvers, while upon the fatal day there were only four with one revolver.
The boys did not return at supper time and after waiting some time we ate. It was nearing sunset and I began to grow uneasy. I walked out to the environs but could not see them and returned to the house. In a little while it began to rain very hard and continued for several hours. At 8:30 we went through the rain and reported it to the guard's office at the soldiers' quarters and ha happening to be Capt. Woodward telephoned to constabulary headquarters. So the matter was reported promptly to the police and authorities. The boys failed to appear that night and I went up to police headquarters and informed them myself. Bodies of men were sent into the mountains, but most people at that time thought they had only got lost and would soon return. I never for a moment entertained that theory and felt sure they had met with violence of some sort. I knew the boys too well to have them tell me that they were wandering around viewing the sights and would return. Some of the officers told me they should have had more sense than to go there and several of us had several wrangles at different times when I informed them they were treating the matter too lightly and that urgent measures should be taken.
The next day after their disappearance Holmes and myself wished to go in search of them. Although that constabulary scoffed at the idea of violence they would not give us arms with which to go into the field. Finally they gave us permission to head a body of eight native policemen. We went into the mountains and hunted all that day, only finding one trace and that was a mile from town, where they had bought mangoes and bananas on their way to the mountains. Nothing more than that evidence was discovered for more than two weeks. We were forbidden by the constabulary and our superintendent, H.E. Bard, to go in search of the missing boys. On the eleventh day after their disappearance eight school teachers, fully armed, went out in search of them. We searched the mountains again without avail and on our return met a squad of police sent out to arrest us. They did not serve the papers as we were coming home. I endeavored to get the co-operation of the military but since the island has passed from military to civil government the military has no "say" until called upon to act by the civil authorities in cases of extreme necessity. There is a clash in the Philippine islands between the civil and military authorities and although the military wanted to aid they could not; thus the greatest aid was not secured. The people will not give evidence against their brothers. The military forced it from them and of course the civil cannot. On their way to the mountains the boys passed at least two dozen houses. In only one house could we or any of the authorities get anyone to say that the teachers had been seen, and yet any American could not pass one of those houses without being "craned at" by at least half a dozen. They will look at you for five minutes without winking in opened eyed amazement. These are some of the difficulties we have met with. A little over two weeks ago a "ladrone" robber was killed in the mountains by the constabulary with the revolver carried by Mr. Wells and the watch of Mr. Thomas on his person. I identified the revolver and the watch. This establishes without a doubt the fact that they fell into the hands of "ladrones," whether killed or held as prisoners no one knows. A constabulary officer told me the night before I left for my present station that he would say unofficially that the boys were alive and that they would soon be with us. I do not believe it, for he has lied too often to me that I place no confidence in him whatever. The superintendent was to inform me by telegraph if anything worth while was discovered. I have received nothing more. We were compelled to leave for our stations the 28th of June and the superintendent would not grant me any leave of absence from my station. Mr. Holmes took sick and I had to nurse him until they took him to the hospital, so we remained in Cebu until the 3rd of July. I then closed up the house and came to my present situation on boat. This is the whole of the sad, sad story."
(Cleveland Plain Dealer (Ohio), 12 Oct 1902, page 43)
MURDERED TEACHER'S BODY ON WAY HOME
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Burial of Clyde O. France Will Take Place at Marlboro
Alliance, O., March 14 -- The body of Clyde O. France, one of the American teachers murdered in the Philippine Islands, has been shipped from San Francisco to Alliance. The mother of the young man has arrived from Berea and will remain here until the body arrives, when it will be taken to Marlboro, the former home, for burial.
(Stark County Democrat, Canton, Ohio, 17 March 1903)
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Burial of Clyde O. France Will Take Place at Marlboro
Alliance, O., March 14 -- The body of Clyde O. France, one of the American teachers murdered in the Philippine Islands, has been shipped from San Francisco to Alliance. The mother of the young man has arrived from Berea and will remain here until the body arrives, when it will be taken to Marlboro, the former home, for burial.
(Stark County Democrat, Canton, Ohio, 17 March 1903)
From "The Ohio Wesleyan Transcript" -
DEATH OF CLYDE FRANCE
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A.E. Chenoweth, '01, our missionary at Balinag, Bulacan, Philippine Islands, sends greetings to the Transcript, and a brief account of the death of Clyde France:
April 21 last, Clyde O. France, '01, and H.H. Brown, '01, landed in Mannila, coming as teachers. I happened to meet them on the street the day they landed. They were appinted to teach on the island of Cebu, and, after remaining in Manila about a month, they left for their station.
About a month after they reached Cebu, France, with three other teachers, went into the mountains on a hunting trip. They did not return when expected, and fears at once arose that they had been captured or killed by a band of ladrones that was known to be in the mountains. Searching parties were at once sent out, and three weeks after their disappearance, the bodies of all four were found. They were brought to the town of Cebu and buried with appropriate public service.
A.E. Chenoweth.
France came from Marlboro, Stark co., Ohio. It will be remembered that he served in Co. K, of the 4th Ohio in Porto Rico, during the Spanish-American war, and before going to the Philippines, had been superintendent of schools in Adelphi, Ohio.
Clippings from one of the Manila dailies give further details of his tragic death:
"More complete details in connection with the murder of the four American school teachers in Cebu, have been given by a well-known army officer, who has just arrived from the scene of the tragedy.
The unfortunate men were ambushed while following along a trail in the mountains about twelve miles from Cebu. Two men were killed at the first fire, one was shot in the back while running away, and the fourth in his endeavor to escape, was captured, and, while on his knees, begging fro mercy, was shot through the chest. There is a strong suspicion, however, that one of the victims was buried while yet alive, as it is thought, from the location of his wound, that he could not have died within the interval between the time he was shot and the time he was buried.
Two of the bodies, when found, were deep enough below the ground's surface to be fairly well preserved, but the earth from over the other two had been scratched away by dogs, and they had devoured the flesh of the vistims - nothing remaing but their skeletons.
It was inspector Enrique Calderon, of the constabulary, who found the bodies. Inspector Luga had succeeded in running down and killing the two noted ladrone leaders, Adoy and Tabalada, and on the person of the latter was found a watch and other articles belonging to one of the murdered men. This was the first clew, and it was then that Inspector Calderon, with a few of the men of the constabulary, struck into the mountains to trace the missing men. He and his party represented themselves to the natives as deserters from the constabulary, and by working upon their confidence and following up every possible clew, finally succeeded in locating the bodies and apprehending most of the fiends who took part in the dastardly crime.
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DEATH OF CLYDE FRANCE
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A.E. Chenoweth, '01, our missionary at Balinag, Bulacan, Philippine Islands, sends greetings to the Transcript, and a brief account of the death of Clyde France:
April 21 last, Clyde O. France, '01, and H.H. Brown, '01, landed in Mannila, coming as teachers. I happened to meet them on the street the day they landed. They were appinted to teach on the island of Cebu, and, after remaining in Manila about a month, they left for their station.
About a month after they reached Cebu, France, with three other teachers, went into the mountains on a hunting trip. They did not return when expected, and fears at once arose that they had been captured or killed by a band of ladrones that was known to be in the mountains. Searching parties were at once sent out, and three weeks after their disappearance, the bodies of all four were found. They were brought to the town of Cebu and buried with appropriate public service.
A.E. Chenoweth.
France came from Marlboro, Stark co., Ohio. It will be remembered that he served in Co. K, of the 4th Ohio in Porto Rico, during the Spanish-American war, and before going to the Philippines, had been superintendent of schools in Adelphi, Ohio.
Clippings from one of the Manila dailies give further details of his tragic death:
"More complete details in connection with the murder of the four American school teachers in Cebu, have been given by a well-known army officer, who has just arrived from the scene of the tragedy.
The unfortunate men were ambushed while following along a trail in the mountains about twelve miles from Cebu. Two men were killed at the first fire, one was shot in the back while running away, and the fourth in his endeavor to escape, was captured, and, while on his knees, begging fro mercy, was shot through the chest. There is a strong suspicion, however, that one of the victims was buried while yet alive, as it is thought, from the location of his wound, that he could not have died within the interval between the time he was shot and the time he was buried.
Two of the bodies, when found, were deep enough below the ground's surface to be fairly well preserved, but the earth from over the other two had been scratched away by dogs, and they had devoured the flesh of the vistims - nothing remaing but their skeletons.
It was inspector Enrique Calderon, of the constabulary, who found the bodies. Inspector Luga had succeeded in running down and killing the two noted ladrone leaders, Adoy and Tabalada, and on the person of the latter was found a watch and other articles belonging to one of the murdered men. This was the first clew, and it was then that Inspector Calderon, with a few of the men of the constabulary, struck into the mountains to trace the missing men. He and his party represented themselves to the natives as deserters from the constabulary, and by working upon their confidence and following up every possible clew, finally succeeded in locating the bodies and apprehending most of the fiends who took part in the dastardly crime.
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(From the Report of the Philippine Commission:
"On July 22 Inspectors Poggi and Calderon, with 12 men and the two prisoners, Roberto Capoli and Apolonio Caballero, proceeded to Busing, the place where the bodies of the teachers were interred. The bodies were recovered and brought to Cebu on the evening of July 22 and turned over to the provincial supervisor, Mr. J. G. Holcombe.
On the morning of July 23 and autopsy was held under the direction of Capt. Henry A. Shaw, assistant surgeon, U.S. Army, at which were present Drs. Mascalina, Hartsook, Reynolds, and Hill. On the afternoon of the same day, a funeral was held in the courtyard of the palace. Episcopal service was read by the Rev. John A. Staunton, jr., and the bodies were interred in a piece of the government's land near Guadaloupe road, north of Cebu. The coffins in which they were interred were secured from the quartermaster, U.S. Army, and were marked as follows:
In each coffin was placed also a sealed bottle in which the name and address, written on linen, was placed.
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"On July 22 Inspectors Poggi and Calderon, with 12 men and the two prisoners, Roberto Capoli and Apolonio Caballero, proceeded to Busing, the place where the bodies of the teachers were interred. The bodies were recovered and brought to Cebu on the evening of July 22 and turned over to the provincial supervisor, Mr. J. G. Holcombe.
On the morning of July 23 and autopsy was held under the direction of Capt. Henry A. Shaw, assistant surgeon, U.S. Army, at which were present Drs. Mascalina, Hartsook, Reynolds, and Hill. On the afternoon of the same day, a funeral was held in the courtyard of the palace. Episcopal service was read by the Rev. John A. Staunton, jr., and the bodies were interred in a piece of the government's land near Guadaloupe road, north of Cebu. The coffins in which they were interred were secured from the quartermaster, U.S. Army, and were marked as follows:
- That marked with one brass tack contains the remains of Ernst Heger.
- That marked with two brass tacks contains the remains of Louis A. Thomas.
- That marked with three brass tacks contains the remains Clyde O. France.
- That marked with four brass tacks contains the remains of John E. Wells.
In each coffin was placed also a sealed bottle in which the name and address, written on linen, was placed.
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