One night while the sailors slept in fancied security, some powerful engine of destruction demolished the vessel and ended the lives of some 266 American seamen.
A board of inquiry was sent by the United States Government to the scene of the disaster, and, after a careful investigation of a most thorough character, decided that the explosion was not internal and accidental but external and by design.

This finding made war between the United States and Spain practically inevitable.
While the whole nation was in the throes of war excitement, a terrible tragedy occurred.

President McKinley had appointed Mr.Felix A.Cook, a colored man of ability, culture and refinement as postmaster of Lake City, South Carolina.

The white citizens of this place made no protest against the appointment and all was deemed satisfactory.
One morning the country awoke to be horrified with the news that Mr.
Cook's home had been assaulted at night by a mob of white demons in human form.

The mob set fire to the house while the occupants slept, and when Mr.Cook with his family endeavored to escape from the flames he was riddled with bullets and killed, and his wife and children were wounded.