The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-02-17
THE KEY WEST TRAGEDY.
The Death of Castanon and II1ow It Came
About:

A correspondent, writing from Key West,
gives detailed account Of the tragedy at that
place, the 3lst of last month, resulting in the
death of Gonzales Castanon, editor of the Span
sh paper La yoz de Cuba, published at Havana:
Castanon, IL appears, with four other Span
ards, arrived at Key West on the morning OF
the 29th, being expected on that day, the edt-
tor of the Cuban paper there, the Republican,
having accepted challenge from him to fight.
The party was met on the steamer by two Gu
bans, representing themselves - .hc seconds
of the Republican editor The former then
came on shore and put up at the Russell House.
Castanon soon found out that the editor of the
Republican, who had accepted the duel, was q
He is man about fifty years old, quite
small In size, half blind, and his name is
Juan Mary Reyes. Two hours after they
had been In the Russell House, Castanon
and party sent for Juan Mary Reyes, and
when the little old Cuban appeared before Cas-
beat the poor oldSman. Some parties inter-
fered and he was soon parted from him.
On the 30th, another Cuban called on Casta-
non, and q duel was arranged to take place,
but the parties were arrested and held to ball
in the sum of 5000 each. Various measures
were again resortcd to in order to bring about
q fight, and 1t was announced that one would
Clhc pldCC, uuL ucAI usty Luc Spduai uo pic
pared to leave on the steamer. About half
past IL p. NJ, two Cuban gentlemen repaired
to the Russell House and inquired for Casta-
non. 4 few minutes AFTER Castanon and two
more Spaniards-big, stout fellows, one his
doctor and the other commander OF Spanish
voluntecrs-came down stairs. One of the two
Cubans who had called and were waiting for
them had revolver, the other had no weapon
at ALL Once down stairs in the front parlor, the
unarmed Cuban told Castanon he wanted to
arrange matters for the duel. Castanon
he had slapped the face of Cuban and felt
satisfied. The Cuban then called him ID
coward. Castanon raised his hand and hit the
Cuban His friend drew the revolver he had
In his hand, and the unarmed Cuban snatched
it from his hand. While this was going on
Castanon took two steps backward, drew his
revolver and fired at the Cuban without effect.
The Cuban then fired his first shot, and Casta-
non, who was standing by an iron safe, fell on
time. The Cuban then fired again and brought
Castanon fiat on the ground, where he received
two more shots. AS soon as the firing COM
mcnced, Castanon's two friends abandoned
him and fed to the stairs, firing as they re-
tired. One of them in his haste fell and hurt
his shin. think the other is badly wounded.
The Cuban who had killed Castalon In the
contest came to the street with firm counte-
nance, and, brandishing his revolver, said,
''Cubans, you are revenged. VSUG Guod, horeI
The instigator for the murder Of all Cuoans Is
dead" ~,
The following Cubans were soon after tne
tragedy arrested j. Botella and brother, Y:
MoTelra, F. Aceituno, j. Barces, L; 0roreS ano
A. Aguero. The three last named nave peen
released. Several houses have been searcneu.-
A colored man has also been arresIeo.