abilities and zeal in commercial life to her . . . . His fine face, so full of the blended dignity and sweetness of the soul within, has been a familiar sight at our Diocesan Conventions . . . . since 1846, and he has represented us with honor in the General Convention of the Church . . . . His memory will be enshrined with loving gratitude in the past history of the parish for all time to come . . . ."
During Mr. Brooks' rectorate, for the second time in Christ Church history, parochial life was overshadowed by a greater interest when the Cuban war broke out in the spring of 1898. Call for troops came to Springfield and the first boys marched away April 16 of that year. "The detail marched to the Union Station at about 8:30 a. m., and took the 9 o'clock train for New York receiving an ovation as it passed through Main Street, and again at the station as the train pulled out." Springfield is justly proud of the fact that as far as known the old Company K was the first in the country to be mustered into the United Sates service. The general opinion seemed to be that the war would amount to very little. Some even believed the companies would never reach Cuba.
The story of the war is too recent and too well told by Mr. Walter W. Ward to be dwelt on at length, at this time. Too well remembered is the return of those gallant soldiers who suffered so much more from the ravages of climate and fevers, than from shot and shell. Among the Cuban War veterans, who, as boys, were connected with Christ Church were Lieut. Edward W. Sawtelle, brother of Mrs. Walter S. Clark and Miss Cynthia Sawtelle, loyal Christ Church members, Lieut. Paul Hawkins, Corporal John B. Fulton, Corporal Bert F. Nichols, Arthur H. Strong, John Bryson, William Ferrier, James Ferrier, Clarence B. Ross, George Hillyer, Frank P. Jones, Harry J. Symonds and D. Harris Brewer. Miss Josephine Brooks, daughter of Mr. John Cotton Brooks, writing of those days makes very real for us Mr. Brooks' human sympathy, resolute energy and constructive activity during those tense months. She writes: "Father went twice to meet the
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