The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1860-03-06
A CUBAN ROBBER.

ing from Trinidad, Cuba, gives the following ac-
count of notorious murderer and robber:
ave have heard many stories of robberies and
murders on the island which are less frequent than
formerly, though in Havana and its neighborhood
there is danger in being out late at night and
alone A friend has favored us with the transla-
ton of the confession of robber Few years since
which was given to him by the priest who attend
ed him 1t has never been published, and is so
fearful record of crime that send it to you.
CONFESSION OF CUBAN RoBBER-In the
year, Francis Xavier Lazo, aged %, was con-
signed to the criminal ward of the Hospital San
uan de Dios, in Havana to receive surgical aid
for severe musket shot wound in the shoulder
few nights after his arrival in the hospital, he
was supposed to be dying, and priest was hastily
summoned to administer the "Oleds," according
to the rites of the Roman Catholic Church; but on
feeling the prisoners pulse, the priest declared
that the man was under the influence of some
narcotic, and proper remedies being used by
physician the priests opinion was fully confirmed
On removing Lazo to another bed, letter. addressed
to the Captain General, was found under his pillow
written Just previous to his taking the dose of
laudanum. with which he had intended to kill
himself. 1t may be doubted if the annals of crime
bear record of greater atrocities having been
mitted by any individual than those confessed
by Lazo in the following paper:
To HIS Ercellency the Captain General.
SIR: Being on the point Of death, I desire to
make known to your Excellency the guilty acts
which | have committed in this island, in order
that the individual now in prison, under suspicion
of being the author Of these crimes perpetrated by
myself, may not suffer unjustly, and also that by
making full confession of my misdeeds, [ may be
somewhat relieved ofthe load ofsinwhich Expresses
my soul:
I !, - r T,,l G..
robbery committed in the town of Buaymo, where
stole some articles of great value, for which was
confined in cell, from whence | made my escape
to Puerto Principe, where. in company with
colorel man named joaquin, broke into jewelers.
store and carried away an entire case of jewclry
1t was taken from me, the road to las Funas, by
a Commssionary of Police, from whom I made my
escape but soon afterwards returned and robbed
the same police officer In Sancti Espiritu,
committed similar robbery of jewelry, and the
same night broke into two other stores. | then
went to Trinidad, and broke into the house of an
Englshman, and took about $4,000 worth of
jewelry and other property. L was arrested upon
suspicion, but made my escape leaving in the hands
of the authorities trunk of clothes and pass,
which obtained from the alcade of Sancti Espritu
under the assumed name of Prudenco Belet. In
Matanzas, | robbed several houses, from one of
which | took an immense amount of jewery, bat
being pursued, | threw the GREATER part away,
behind the Jail. | succeeded in escaping but soor
returned to that city, where | perpetrated many
atrocities In the village of Guanagos broke
into the house ola Eiscaino, from whom | took a
large sum of money and other effects.
In the village of Guanabacoa, | committed great
excuses and first among the number killed man
the hill called '.Jooguin." | also killed
Commissionary of Police named Martinez, and
Lieut.. DC Taraco. In the city of Havana i'll
Andrade street. murdered police officer named
Maranto and his wife. | had been for sometime
contemplating this crime. nasmuch as that Maranto
was the most energetic police officer in the service
of the Government, and the one who had been
most active in his pursuit of me; but as he lived
in an upper story il was difficult to get at him;
however, awaited myself of frghtful thunder
storm, with wind and rain, and with ladder and
instruments for forcing the windows, at midnig
| proceeded to the residence of Maranto and soon
accomplished my purpose. [ killed him and his
wife as they lay in bed. The same night and in
the same street, | killed old man; and the next
morning, L went to look at the body, as it lay
stretched at the gate of the Jail for recognition
day or two after, early in the morning, [ killed
a Frenchman in Campanilla street, outside the
walls of the city. Near to the Factory, (now the
Hospital Military and also in the vicinity of the
Baracoons, | have rerpetrated great atrocities of
the above nature. Near Matanzas, towards dark.
at place called OjO de Aqua, met man, from
whom took watch and large sum of money.
and then murdered him. On the road to La Mocha,
met gentleman and lady, whom l ordered to
stOp the gentleman made 4 move if about to
draw pistol; but before he had time to use it, |
shot him dead with my musket. | dragged the
body into the bushes; and after forcing the lady,
killed her also, to prevent discovery. | then fed
from Matanzas, large reward was offered by
the authorities, to take ne dead or alive [ then
went to-" San 1"tonio, where perpctrated various
excuses. Returning again to Havana, | broke
into the house of the Captain of Artillery Don
Jose Solear, and carried off large sum of money.
| remained sometime in Havana, robbing, among
Others the house ofthe merchant Was. Compelled
again to fly from Havana, proceeded to Guiana jas,
where | captured by the officer of the district,
who caused me to be tightly bound with cords,
and with escort of fourteen men sent me to
Havana; but at stopping place on the way, |
managed to get my hands loose, and Selling
machete, belonging to the chief of my guards,
made an attempt to escape. L was holly pursued
by several of my captOrS, one of whom had severely
wounded me by musket shot in the shoulder,
and finding myself about to fall from loss of blood,
turned round to meet my pursuers killing the
first one that came up, the chief, with his own
sword. | was, however, soon overpowered and
conveyed to this city, where | am now lying at the
point of death, having swallowed a dose Of
laudanum.
My strength is rapidly falling, and have given
your Exceency but an incomplete statement Of the
dreadful crimes which now heavily weigh upon
my soul. As we'll as | can remember, have
during my shameful career of sin and
wick edneSS unwards of tWenty-three innocent