Roland Flinn

Roland Flinn

Co. I       16th U.S. Inft.

       Known Actions
July 2, 1898-Santiago, Cuba

From the July 11, 1898 issue of The Elgin Evening Dial
     Roland Flinn, is an Elgin boy, who not only got to Cuba, but got into the thickest of the fight.   He took part in the big battle before Santiago, July 2.   He is a member of Co. I, 16th U. S. infantry under General Kents.
     The subject of this sketch was in Texas, when he was employed as a conductor when the war broke out.   He resigned his position and joined the regular army so he could go to the front immediately.
     Roland Flinn is 22 years old.   He is a son of John H. Flinn and was born and reared in Elgin.   He first attended the Mill street school and later, went to the Kimball street and then the high school.   About three years ago his father moved to Chicago and he went to Texas.
     Nothing has been heard from Roland since the battle, , but it is hoped he escaped injury.

Excerpt from the Aug. 3, 1898 issue of the Elgin Daily Courier.

     Roland Flinn of Co. I, 16th U.S. Infantry is writing to his parents from Camp, in front of Santiago, under date of July 14,Says: “After landing we marched through the rain and mud and at night slept in water.   The harbor is full of the bodies of dead Spaniards killed or drowned in the battle of the ***** all the way from the sea to where we are camped are graves of American soldiers who were killed in battle.   The Spaniards lie where the (sic) fell and are eaten by buzzards.   The United States are encamped on the mountains just back of the entanglements.   The shriek of shell and whistle of bullets makes it very exciting.   I have at least six dead Spaniards to my credit that I am sure of but am in doubt about the last one as he fell back into the trench.   We get all we want to eat, including coconuts.
     When he wrote a flag of truce was flying but Santiago had not then fallen.

From the U.S. Army, Register of Enlistments 1798 – 1914
Name – Roland L. Flinn
Born – 1875
Birthplace – Illinois, United States
Enlistment Age – 23 years
Date enlisted – May 30, 1898
Pvt. Co. I, 16th Inft. Reg.
He was discharged Dec, 2, 1898
Buried in Hillcrest Cemetery
     Deer Lodge, Powell county, Montana March 24, 1875 – May 27, 1945
From the 1920 Federal Census
Roland L. Flinn
Age – 44 y
Birth Year – 1876
Birthplace – Illinois
Home in 1920 – Frenchtown, Mineral, Montana
Condition – White . Male
Married to Azora Flinn
Occupation – Conductor, R.R.
Own his home – Free
Read – Yes     Write – Yes
Household members;
     Roland L. - 44y
     Azora – 30y
     Nellie E. - 8y
     Charlotte – 0

From the 1930 Federal Census
Roland L. Flinn
Age in 1930 – 54y
Birthyear – 1876
Condition – Male / White
Born in – Illinois
Home in 1930 – Deer Lodge, Powell county, Montana
Street Address – Clark street
Ward of City – I
Block – 214
House # in cities of towns – 22
Dwelling # - 99
Family # - 99
Home Value – 2,600
Radio Set – Yes
Lives on Farm – No
Rea & Write – Yes
Fathers Birthplace – Canada
Mothers Birthplace – Illinois
Speaks – English
Occupation – Freight Conductor
Industry – Steam Railroad
Class of Worker – Wage or Salary
Employment – Yes
Veteran – Yes
War – Sp
Household Members;
     Roland L. - 54
     Azora – 42

     Nellie B. - 18
     Charlette H. - 10