New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-01-19
A WILLING PRISONER.

THE Seller OF THE STOLEN MURILIO TAKEN TO
SPAIN WITH HIS OWN CONSENT.
Much interest was stirred in the art circles
OF NawYork By the circumstances OF the recovery OF
the stolen part OF Murlo's painting OF Saint Anthony
OF Padua which was taken from the Cathedral In
Seville spaln In October last The ruuored kidnapping
and transfer to Spain OF the man who sod the frag-
meut Of tie painting in this city, attracted much atten
ton yesterday. TAe Spanish ConsulGeneral at this
port sehor Hipp Otto O. UriaFte, has written long
letter on these subjects to the Spanish Minister at
Washington.
The Incidents connected with the purchase OF the
fraction Of the painting Ivy Er. schaus have already
been given in The TRIBUNE. SChor Uriarte states that
he has shipped 1t TO Havana to tne GOvernOrGenerl Of
Cuba in order that It may he transmitted TO Spain. 10
regard tho arrest aud sending to Spain OF Garcia
who sold the stolen fragment to Mr. Schans the Con-
sui makes statement OF watch the following is trans
latlon:
The negotiation OF purchase having been accom-
psed for the Of $780, and an hour liked when those
having for would call upon Mr.. srhauS
for their paynieBt requested person in whom had
conf ence 70 be Present and observe inc men and see
with whom they communicated after receiving the
money, assuming that tue seller not the thief
believed he was. would 60 to tue thief at once, II
In this city. had been previously advised that uuder
the laws OF NewGOrk, the seller OF the painting could
Indicted aud punished IN his State " he stole B In
Span and brought II into this city, and that one could
perhaps be indicted anu punished who felDnousy re-
ccived II here kno "lng II 10 nave been i0relxn
country. NV object in directing tile seller to be OBJ
decide what steps 10 take. ~ o slort tlne the
person whom had thus directed informed me that he
had tho seller and Ills companion To room In a
MOTEL that the seller denied mat lac stole 'De paint
ing but n HIS expenses were paid he would 90 to Spain
aud satisfy the authorities as 10 the persons who
engaged Ia the ROBBERY. 10 make certain that this
the fact sent careful clerk from the Consulate ana
aterward went myse 70 see the seller and ascertain II
suou was really IFS Cesire and found that lie stu
his wsD IL bis expenses were pail 10 at once 20
back to Spain from which no said he had Just COME
directed reply to be made tn MIN that wOdd NOT ad
the money TO send MIN unless ne put MS request
or satement in writing in his own hand. This be die,
aud inclose IA copy.
After this directed that he b, kindly provided for at
the hote, aud sent him 10 Cu0a III tue steamer
lYta CRUZ Sich carried the painting and which sailed
from tai, city the N inst. accompanied by person
Who couli Inform the GOvernotGcnera or all the facts
In the CopsuPs letter was Enclosed the declaration
made by Garcia. of which tho following translation
order prove that am Innocent in the robbery Of
tho picture from the Cathedral of Seville. ana that
have been made victim OF those who have commit
ted IT, declare ffeey and spontaneously hat have no
objection spain for purpose OF helping tho
arrest ana punishment Of the culprs provided all nv
travelling aud other expenses are PAID, as am myself
without pecunIary Resources Tie whole OF this de-
clare freely ana spontaneously, 10 New-YOrk, on the
8th day OF January, 1916 FERNANDO GARCIA.
William S'baus tue picture dealer who bought the
part OF painting which brought to this country
to TRIBUNE reporter very full statement Of the
circumstances connected with the purchase He said
that spanard who offered the painting sale gave
hts name jose Gomez. and accompanied by o
called souarika, who acted interpreter. He
added From his conversation through the interpreter
Judged that Com, e. he then called himself. was
sort OF pedder deuer IN old pictures coins aud brio
Rbrac Spain. TdeSe dealers travel through Europe,
aud pick many strange Things. believe that De was
only agent Tor the sale Of tlis picture ana Lad no
hand In stealing IT..
When Com after his first visit returned 10 my store.
ho offered 500 Tor the picture After bargaining for
time no at length agieed 10 take $3.50, ana the sum
was promptly paid To him lie signed the receipt which
was Interpreted To him by S0maTikt with his assuDsd
name. joe Gomez" He thrust the nioUey into nis
breast went out OF tue store understand that no
agents vi tue Spanish Consul General and hurried iuto
a carriage, which was rapidly driven away.