The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-04-07
w AS IN A MEXICAN PRISON.
FRANK bellew, Who Was Reported Missing.
Turns Up

d. Frank Bellew, who all indications a
lew days ago pointed to as a missing man.
arrived In the city from Ell Paso Yesterday
evening on the $50 o'clock Santa Fe train,
ai.er very unpleasant. though some
what romantic experience.
Ii VIII be remembered that the first in
.inaClon OF his unaccountable disappear
ahce, was received here about Friday noon,
last, when his wife received telegram
from Mr.. Hite, his partner at Galveston,
asking his whereabouts. The news was
terrible shock to Mrs. BeIlew, and the
many friends OF the missing man were
thrown into state of anxiety regarding
his safety.
As stated in the telegram from Mr..
Hite, Mr.. Bellew left Galveston Sunday
morning, the 22nd inst, for a visit to his
family here. He had business at various
places between Galveston and FL Paso.
and did not arrive in the latter place
until the 24th. Here he got into converse
ZION with conductor on one of the rail-
ROADS In that part of the state. who also
belonged to the order Of knights of
Fythlas The conductor proposed that
they go over to Paso del Norte, Just
across the river, and purchase some
mexican curiosities, in which Mr.
Bellew acquiesced. They went into a
snop, purchased what articles they wanted,
and rendered American money in pay
ment. In making change the Mexican
Jailed to allow for the difference between
the American and Mexican coins, and a
dispute arose between the conductor and
tne Mexican. The Mexican became very
lnsolent over the matter and in the course
OF the quarrel, called the conductor a liar,
which so enraged the latter that he re-
sented the uncalled for insult by grabbing
the greaser by the hair, hauling him
across the counter and administering
rather rough handling This OF course
created the usual amount of excitement,
and several of the soldiers, who Mr. Bellew
says are very numerous there when an
American gets into trouble, were
fast accommodating and as Bellew and the
conductor turned to leave the place, they
arrested them at the door
Then commenced what was destined to
be term of hardships. Life in a Mexican
prison is something akin to existence in
the prison pens of old. And Mexican
authorities seem to take particular trouble
IN this kind of case to let day after day
go by without bringing their prisoner be-
fore the bar for trial.
Bellew and the conductor were taken to
"prison"-a little, dirty, dark pen, 1Ox12
feet, called an ''adobe," which has but one
small window and door which was
guarded by soldiers.
They managed to conceal their money.
bellHw in hair nd
the conductor hiding his in his
undertaking, until after being
searched, when they buried it in
the dirt floor of the prison. All the papers
they had were taken from them and
destroyed, with the exception of some pen
sion papers which Bellew had, and as they
bore the L. S. seal the Mexican's knew
they would be tramping on Uncle Sams's
feelings by destroying Bellew had a
great many contracts with different par
ties over the state. These contracts were
for county rights which he had sold to
parties to sell the cider of the California
Ounce Cider company, a patent article.
The authorities destroyed these valuable
papers. as well as many more important
things in writing which he had with him.
Then the men had to languish for twelve
long days in a hovel. sleeping upon
the dirt floor at nights, with only
one thin blanket for bedding,
and eating food such as the Greaser lives
upon-of Mexican make. Mr.. Bellew
says that one who has never had to eat
what is called high living among the Mex
leans cannot fully appreciate how rich and
palatable piece of corn bread or of pork
is. They had to live, though, and the
brute force of Mexican soldiers, under the
guise of law, kept them from getting any
thing else.
They were then subjected to indignities
unbecoming a civilized country to give.
Not only were their papers destroyed, but
the letters which Mr.. Bellew addressed TO
his wife were torn up before his very eyes.
He also gave the officials a telegram to
send his wife but that never reached its
destination.
The men were finally brought to trial.
The conductor was fined S. and costs,
which amounted TO $40, while the pitiable
excuse for keeping Mr.. Bellew prisoner for
so long was that he was wanted as wit
ness.
The two obtained their freedom last
Saturday after being kept prisoners for
nearly two weeks Mr.. Bellew at once
started for home, and arrived here as
stated above, yesterday evening. He called
at the EAGLE office and gave the facts here
stated He was kept busy from the time
he set foot in the city until be could make
his way home to secure rest, shaking
hands with the many friends who were
overjoyed to see him back. The story of
their incarceration reads like a romance,
but as Mr. Bellows integrity and veracity
has never been doubted in the least, the
truthfulness of the narration is apparent.