This article originally appeared in 2016. It connects to our latest exhibit, titled Park City Loves A Parade!, on display now through March 2027. In the late 1800s, the United States was testing its imperialist might, and Spain was struggling to hold onto its declining empire. Both had vested in terests in the Caribbean islands and as the century came to a close, conflict arose. If you can recall learning the iconic phrase “Remember the Maine!” from your history classes, then you might recall what came to pass when these two world powers came to a head over the fate of Cuba: the Spanish-American War, fought from April to August 1898.  Despite the exhaustive diplomatic efforts of President McKinley, public support for war with Spain was widespread and extremely vocal. In part stirred to a frenzy by exaggerated reports in newspapers owned and run by William Randolph Hearst (whose father, George Hearst, made his fortune in part from our own Ontario Mine), the American people cried out for justice for the people of Cuba. The sinking of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor in February 1898 was a turning point. By March, nearly all remaining opposition aside from President McKinley himself had been silenced, and by April, war was imminent. The official declaration came on April 25, 1898. The Spanish-American War was fought in two theaters: the Caribbean and the Pacific. Spain had colonial holdings in the Philippines and other Pacific islands. The United States, under the guise of promised liberation, sent its naval vessels there as well as to Cuba. Recruiters from the armed forces were wildly successful in getting volunteers, including many from Utah, to fight in the war. Thirteen-year-old Bobby Donohue of Park City was swept up by the excitement. Motivated by such local headlines as “Maine will be avenged and Cuba will be free,” “Johnny get your gun,” “Manila now at mercy of Dewey,” and “Great battle expected tomorrow,” Bobby tried unsuccessfully to enlist. Undaunted by his failure, Bobby ran away from Park City to San Francisco and stowed aboard a ship bound for the Philippines.  Bobby neglected to inform his family of his whereabouts. During the fall of 1898, newspapers throughout Utah published missing notices. Guessing he’d gone to Heber, his mother, Bridget, made every effort to find him. She “is very anxious to get tidings,” The Park Record reported. To the great surprise of many, when he returned a year later, it was with the Utah battery, soldiers from home with whom he’d connected in Manila. Referred to as the battery’s “mascot,” Donohue was recorded as the youngest veteran of the war.  In 1899, he called upon Governor Wells. Bobby had been denied a medal of honor (reserved for regular volunteers), but upon meeting the boy, Wells was touched. “We’ll see what we can do for you, my boy,” he reportedly said. “I think you are entitled to one.” He did eventually get that medal.  Donohue had “won the hearts of Parkites” and Utahns with his boyish bravery. Over the next few years, he was featured in parades and celebrations lauding the victories of American forces. He usually led the parades, continuing in his mascot role for the soldiers. Bobby is featured in “Park City Loves A Parade!” in the Museum’s Tozer Gallery. The post Way We Were: Parading Bobby Donohue, boy and veteran appeared first on Park Record. ...read more read less