Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1888-08-17
CUBAN BANDITS
The Sufferings of a Wealthy Cuban
Who Was Held For Ransom.
Every American Should Rejoice That
Cuba Does Not Belong to the
United States.

Ssnor Lsuzan Is q living proof that
despite MsrIn's martial law and CspSe.
pon's new enthusiastically worded measures,
orlSandaSe stlll thrives in Cubs. His
cousin having paid the ransom demanded,
Lauzsn returned on Thursday to his fam
ny, SICK, bleeding and half fsmished
The news OF Senior Lsuzan's capture by
tne osndits ten days seo greatly surprised
the town, for 1t wss known that for q long
ume past Lsuzsn had never ven:ursd out
OF his house, as the sad experience of his
townsmen, Seniors Nicolas Rodriguez
Pens, Gonzalez Aguiar and D. Valentine
Cruz, while in the power of the bandits.
hao determined him not to expose him
self to their clutches. To his family and
to the friends who gathered to greet him
on his return, he recounted the details of
his kidnapping and captivity.
While seated one evening at the win
dow that opens out upon the piazza of
his house at San Antonio de 10. Bsnos.
Two nelghoors called 20 purchase from
MIN tobacco plantation situated a short
distance away. An engagement was made
for the following day at the estate in
question, and at early dawn Senior Lsuzsn
started from his bone to meet the in
tending buyers at the appointed place.
lie was travelling at a brisk rate along the
highway, when two men approached him
and asked him if his name was LauZsu.
YES" said he. What is it You wishY"
Follow u.s." they said
"Gentlemen," said Lsuzen. d;vining
their purpose, sis it money you wantY /
have plenty about me. l will give it to
you, and more too; bat let me pass.
Follow US, and keep silent" said one
of the strangers. ave overheard your
conversation at the window last night.
You are afraid of US, are you? What have
We done to you that you should so vio-
iently upbraid US, you sneaking cowardP
Why have you refused to contribute to
our support, you sordid old rascal? Do
you think it is everybody's fortune to
nave rich father and inherit plantations,
like your If you have no feeling for
your poorer fellow creatures, we'll teach
you to be more humane. Now, follow us;
open your umbrella snd hold it so close
to your head that your eyes can see moth
ing but the ground; look neither to the
right or left, and not sound or you will
pay dearly for it. Now forws rdr'
They kept up their marsh till evening,
boldly crossing through plantations, and,
IN many instances following the high
roads to save time. When night came
the bandits put up hsmmocks for them
selves, and left Senior Lausen, feeble
man, "a years of age, to sleep on the
ground. By the flicksring glare of the
campfire Senior LauZan wrote a few lines
to his family explaining his situation and
asking for $1,000 with which to buy his
freedom. 1t is believed that the sum
paid was i'll reality much larger, but on
this point Senior Bauzen is somewhat
reticent.
During his captivity, Lauzan was obi
ged TO do do all sorts of menial offices
for she bandits. He was deprived of food
If ne so much as raised his eyes from the
ground, and for hours ut time, with eyes
bllndfolded, he had to keep up with the
bandits, rapid pace. In these tramps he
frequeRtly fell and cut his face. hands
ard knees against the sharp rocks. His
pain and bruises excited only their laugh
ter, and if he Jagged behind cuff and
threats of terrible punishment il case of
dlsobedience to orders inspired him to
superhuman efforts.
When his release was announced to
him, Senior Lauzan says his brain was so
weak from exhaustion and hunger that
he scarcely comprehended the meaning
of that long expected phrase. The ban
ditts placed him on a horse and again
blindfolded him. Then with q man on
either side to keep him in position, the
group kept up a pretty lively pace for
the greatest part of the day. At about
8 o'clock that evening they halted. The
bandits took Lauzsn from the horse and
warned him not to take the bandage from
his eyes or take a step ill he heard the
order. The signal having been given, he
was to go forward in a straight line with
outlooking back on pain of being shot.
That night Senior Lsuzan walked un-
ceasingIy, in the hope of getting to his
home as soon as possible. Some time
after midnight he reached the well known
road house, Saportas, where he intended
to pass the night; but too weak to even
rap at the door, Lauzan sank exhausted
on the door step, where he was found in
the early hours of the morning by ths
inn keeper. The latter after serving
him with something to eat and dressing
his bruises conducted Lauzan to his
home.