Letter from Howard E. Ames to C. H. Davis
Subject(s): Buildings--Earthquake effects, Cuba--Guantánamo Bay Naval Base, Discrimination in medical care, Earthquake damage, Earthquake relief, Evans, Robley D. (Robley Dunglison), 1846-1912, Gleeson, Matthew C. (Matthew Carlin), 1870-1927, Indiana (Battleship : BB-1), International relations, Jamaica--Kingston, Jesuits, Medical care, Natural disasters--Social aspects, Sisters of Mercy, Swettenham, James Alexander, 1846-1933, United States. Navy, Whipple (Destroyer)
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Navy Medical Inspector Ames writes a narrative to Admiral Davis relating the events that unfolded when he arrived in Kingston, Jamaica, to provide medical relief after the earthquake. Ames found the city of Kingston to be absolutely demolished, and the populace to be in a “dazed, frightened, and nervous condition.” When Ames offers medical assistance and advice to Governor James Alexander Swettenham, the assistance is refused, and the suggestions denied, with the exception of some limited supplies for which the governor is thankful. Because both Ames and Davis, among others, found that the official city response was lacking, Davis informed Governor Swettenham that the naval medical officers would establish an independent hospital that would serve everyone “irrespective of age, sex, creed, or nationality.” The Jesuit fathers gave their cottage in Winchester Park as the site of the hospital, and they were able to treat many injured people with the help of the Sisters of Mercy. Ames offers comments on the casualties and destruction caused by the earthquake.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1907-01-20
Creator(s)
Recipient
Davis, C. H. (Charles Henry), 1845-1921
Language
English
Period
U.S. President – 2nd Term (March 1905-February 1909)
Repository
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Page Count
8
Production Method
Record Type
Multi-image
Resource Type
Rights
These images are presented through a cooperative effort between the Library of Congress and Dickinson State University. No known restrictions on publication.
Citation
Cite this Record
Chicago:
Letter from Howard E. Ames to C. H. Davis. [January 20, 1907]. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o55340. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Ames, Howard E., 1851-1918. Letter from Howard E. Ames to C. H. Davis. [20 Jan. 1907]. Multi-image.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. January 30, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o55340.
APA:
Ames, Howard E., 1851-1918., [1907, January 20]. Letter from Howard E. Ames to C. H. Davis.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o55340.
Cite this Collection
Chicago:
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. January 30, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division.
APA:
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division.
