Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1886-05-16

How American Citizens are semetImes
Treated In the "Land Of God
and Liberty"
experiences of a wen-Known M Paso Man
In the City Of Chihuahua--ciad 10
kecross the Rio Grande
Special 70 tho e.,e,,,


Special 10 the Gazette.
III PAso, Tsx., May l5.-Mr. II. L.
liatey, well and iavorably known In this
city, and for the past four or tve years
uoing business in the city OF chihuahua,
Mex, arrived here yesterday. Having
become Disguised with Mexico he dis.
posed OF his property there with the IN.
tention OF residing permanently IN Texas.
Below we give an interview had with Mr..
l.atey In regard to his experience with
our Mexican neighbers.
mr.. Latey, how long have you been
In Mexico?
Five years. went into Mexico al Pass
del Norte with the Mexican Central rail.
road when they commenced building.
and supplied the company and contractor
with beef during the years 1881 ana 1852
What business have you been carving
ON since that time?
In September, 1882, l bought a livery
stable In the city Of Chihuahua from an
American named Broadwell, which bust.
ness | have carried on since that time.
Have you experienced any trouble or
difficulty In the carrying on of business in
Mexico?
Yes. In April, 1883, | was summoned
Dsiore the agent of the Mexican govern.
mentin Chlhuahua, and notified by him that
would be required to furnish within
twenty-four hours proofs that all the car
riages, omnibusses, horses and other
properly IN my possession had paid the
regular duties.
Was It possible for you to comply with
this order?
No, The business was already estab-
iished when | bought 1t, and accord
ing TO Mexican custom all custom-house
documents had to be returned to the office
Issuing them, under a penalty, so that in
the short time given me compliance was
impossible.
Did they contiscate your property
An officer was ordered to seize II, but |
was told could give bond OF $4,000
and retain the property time enough for
me to get the proofs needed.
Was 1t possible for you TO give the
bond?
Scarcely. But Mexican gentleman
protesting forcibly against the injustice
being done me offered to 90 ON my bond,
which he did.
Dlu TINS emu the natter
BY no means. procured from the
Mexican custom-house at Paso del Nortt
certificates that the property in question
had been regularly passed and the regu
lar duties paid.
This OF course finally settled the mat,
teri
No. The official at chihuahua ex
pressed himself as not satisfied
and as there was no further pros
pect of money for him, turned the
matter over to the federal courts, which,
after two years Of loss, time, trouble and
money to fne, decided that there never had
been any case against me.
Was the bond IN force all this time?
Yes; and though wishing TO leave the
country | was prohibited by the terms of
the bond from disposing of any part Of
the property.
How were the courts finally induced to
decide your case?
] solicited the aid of the governor OF
the state. He kindly interested himself
in the matter and induced the federal
officers to render decision.
understand you have since disposed
of your business?
Yes, sold II to the first man who
offered me anything for It,
Since disposing of your business have
you experienced any further trouble2
Yes; having settled up my business /
was prepared to leave Chihuahua on the
evening Of the Sth of May, but Just be-
fore train time / was served with a per-
emptory order from one of the courts not
TO leave the city, but, attend on the fol-
lowing morning criminal investigation
under the severest penalties of the law.
Did you know the nature Of the
charges9
No. took the summons to the Judge
who issued it and asked for informal
ton. He told me would find out in the
morning.
Did you appear In the morning2
No. had had all the experience with
Mexican courts desired, and sending my
baggage and personal effects through by
a friend came through TO I'll Paso as one
might who was escaping from bandits or
Indians, not even advising my friends In
Chihuahua OF my intended departure.
DO you intend returning TO Mexico2
No, as according to their laws | am
subject to arrest for having. dlsobeyed an
order Of one of their courts.
What do you think was the object OF
the last proceedings against your
have every reason to believe II was
the commencement OF another conspiracy
to rob me of what little had been able
to save from the sale of my property.
How did you get through to this placer
/ travelled concealed in the train to a
point about two miles south OF Paso Del
Norte, whore left the train unobserved,
and walked abOnt five miles across the
sandhllls to point opposite Fort Bliss,
where crossed the Rio Grande IN ski6
10 American soil.