Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-09-12

Started for Brazil Hidden In . Cask. In,
Came Back . Very Rich MAJ.

Started for Brazil Hidden In . Cask. and
Came Back . Very Rich MAJ.
From the Chicago Daily News.
Edusrd B. kaeese, a commercial king Of San
Paulo. Brazil. told the story OF his life at the
Palmer House last evening. and his sister. Mira
Lily kneese-Earee Of l,2s9 Wilcox avenue in
this city. Was u witness TO the veracity Of the
greater part Of the tale. Mr.. Kneese 10 q WELL
preserved. mi6die-aged man. He said he had
travelled thousands Of miles to see again the
sister he had left twenty years ago in their
home in New Orleans.
"Thirty-one years ago" he began. Il entered
college in New Orleans. Father was q cotton
merchant, but an ardent abolitionist When
entered college fell in with crowd of young
southerners, and soon became imbued with
the spirit that governed my companions
when war was declared Joined the Crescent
troop with the rest of my college chums and went
to the front That was the beginning of the
trouble of my family. Father, mother. broth
ers and sisters, all except Lily here" casting a
glance OF affection at the woman beside him.
whose eyes filled with tears at the remem-
brance. turned against me- and even NV let
tiers were returned unopened.
Near the close OF the war I was taken pris-
oner and was confined seven months. When
peace WAS declared i was turned upon the
streets Of Baltimore without cen. OF money
days lived with scarcely bite To eat South
erners were not wanted. and was thrust from
every ones door. 1 was none too strong and
was nearly in despair. when boarded a vessel
bound for Brazil and secreted myself in a cssk
about one-third tu!l Of water. A day and
night remained there aud was nearly dead
when discovered The officers treated me
brutaily. for the skipper q norsherner aud
had no sympathy with 4 southern rtowaway.
Upon arriving at Brazil 1 started in to make
my fortune. resolved &c stay there until | wac
wealthy. Naturally l had a severe time. a. L
was unacquainied with the people. the customs
or the language of the country; but at last an
Old English carpenter gave me place TO work
and from then on had a much easier time
spent a few years with the Englishman and
then, having some money saved up, 1 patented
Q machine for coffee cleaning that had in
vented and started for the interior 20 sell it,
got up into tho diamond country and while
there had an adventure that nearly cost me
my life.
Il was putting mp a machine for o planter
upon the banks OF a little stream, and while
not busy wandered down the brook and gath
cred up stones. An Old negroes who waited
upon me saw the specimens in my room and
presented me with three pieces Of beautiful
crystal left there a few days later and failed
to pack all OF the specimens leaving one Of tie
crystals In my room. Inc planter discovered
IL and thought II was a diamond, and the
negress confirmed his suspicious by say
ing that l mad found that one and two
more. The planter thought had a priceless
treasure IN my possession, and Was trying to
escape with it, Consequently he notified the
police and searchers We're sent out all over the
country. A reward was offered for me. dead or
alive As II happened. | was hunting in the
forest and heard nothing of il until a week
later, when returned to the CITY. when q DO
liceman ordered me to throw up my hands. A
bullet whizzed by my ear the next instant and
obeyed and gave myself up. OF course was
gies.
Il love the land have adopted" concluded
Mr.. kneese. Il am successful now and shall
return to Brazil after a short visit with my
sister"