Los Angeles herald., 1892-05-25
Armand La Pierce in a New
Role.
He Announces His True Name
and Condition.
A Large Inheritance Awaiting His
Claim.
His Story One Full of Romantic
Detail.
Proud OF His Efforts to Earn His Living
whsle Poor-The War In Cuba De-
prived Him Of His Income-His Father
Leaves an Immense Property, Of
which His Share VIII Be Very Large.
His story as Related by Himself.

which His Share VIII Be Very Large.
His story as Related by Himself.
Yesterday in the superior court an
application was filed by Mr.. Armand
La Pierce, asking that he be permitted
to assume the name of Manuel Garcia
Montes de Oca. This application covers
most romantic story.
Mr.. La Pierce was formerly steward of
the California club of this city, and
when he married Mrs. Wallace Wood
worth Of this city, few years ago, the
affair created considerable excitement.
Mrs. Woodworth is very wealthy
woman, and society was pleased to criti-
cize her action. Mr.. La Pierce through
out his whole career in this city has
preserved the demeanor of gentleman,
and his entire record is one to command
respect and regard. Because he earned
his living by the best means available
at the time when he was without re-
sources, he was not warmly received by
society at his marriage, but his story
shows that he has been an honorable,
consistent gentleman through all his
varying career, and that he belongs to q
sangre azul Spanish family with pedi-
gree as long as royalty can boast, and
which has been established in Cuba
since 1885.
More than this, he has come into q
large inheritance, and fortune at last be-
slows upon him her most liberal favors.
This will be pleasant news to those who
have known Mr.. de Oca for what he is,
q well-bred, pleasant. accomplished
gentleman. His story as related by him
self to HERALD reporter yesterday ID
ss follows:
II was born in the city of Manzanillo,
Cuba, on July %, 1S49, and was pap
tized as Manuel Garcia Monies de Oca,
as you can see by my baptismal certif.
cate which have here. My fathers
name was Jose Manuel Garcia Napoles.
My mothers name was Marcelina
Monies de Oca. Hence, under Spanish
Jurisdiction my name is Oca. My
father and mother were large slave own
ers, and were also proprietors of an ex-
tensive sugar plantation, which was
called after my father, San Jose. They
also owned q large hacienda, and q
great deal Of city real estate. spent
my boyhood on this well known planta-
tion, surrounded with every comfort and
luxury. At the age of IA, after having
already had all the advantages of a good
school, was sent to college at Habana,
remaining there for sometime, together
with my brother. Both of us were
then sent to the United States
to complete our education and to learn
q trade or profession. We landed in
New York November 26, 1866, some
twenty-six years ago. We were placed
in charge Of G. Sprague & Co., having
an allowance of $400 monthly in Spanish
gold. We were then sent to Middle
town, Conn.,, there to engage in study
ng the English language, and were
afterwards transferred to the firm of
Guild & Garrison, Williamsburg, N. Y,
for the purpose of enabling us to become
machinists. Everything went along
smoothly until war broke out in Cuba,
and owing to the difficulties which for
the time being surrounded all business
pursuits in that island, we no longer re-
.ceived our remittances. My brother at
tempted to return to Cuba, but the
vessel upon which he took passage, the
steamer Missouri, was burned at sea.
concluded TO remain in this country and
make my own living as best could.
II, like many others similarly stu
ated, have followed great variety Of
pursuits in order to acquire an honest
livelihood. taught Spanish, Italian
and French in New York; have been
house painter, have worked on farm
in Illinois, mined in Virginia City, have
kept hotels and restaurants, have been
steward and caterer in some of the
finest places in the land. am proud
of my exertions and would not hesitate
to do the work over again if the same
circumstances surrounded me.
"My mother died September 81, 1861,
leaving two daughters and five sons, OF
which four only are living: Dof1a Do
lores Garcia de Hernandez, who lives in
Barcelona, Spain Don Eduardo Garcia
Monies de Oca, q planter, living at
Garcia de Sandoval. residing in Habana,
and myself. My father died in 1878,
leaving very large estate, and accord,
AhS w Vic OoPy Va uAiO Will AOW III uy
possession, my share of the property ID
quite extensive. My family owned very
large estates which were coniscated by
the Spanish government some sixty
years ago.
"My grandfather on my fathers side
was Don Miguel Garcia de Veraga
Count del Prado, and my grandmother
was Dofia Maria Teresa Napoles, Count
ess del Prado, from Puerto Principe
Cuba. On my mothers side my grand
father was Don Narciso Monies de Oca
OF ancient and honorable ancestry, nv
grandmother was Dof1a Maria Yne,
Cardenas Monies de Oca. Nv ancesto]
on my mothers side came to Cnba OF
June II, 1886. At present Count ant
Countess del Prado are living in Spain
as also is my sister, Dolores. who re
sides, as I have stated, in Barcelona.
have not seen her for nearly thirt,
years. although and my wife were il
Barcelona two years ago, and did no
know that my sister was there until WI
returned to Los Angeles.
II have been in. correspondence with
the judicial administrator in Cuba, an,
also with my sister in Barcelona and th
house of Perea Brothers, New York
and have been most successful in OBJ
tanning all important and valuable docu
ments with reference to this matter
such as the will of my mother an,