The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-03-28
WITH THE ITATA.
Welz's Narrow Escapes in
Chile and Peru.
STUNNED A DRUNKEN GUARD,
An Ex-0fficer of the Famous Itata
Talks of His Adventures in
the South.

Charles Well, who was second officer OF
the famous s'eamer Itata up to the time
that vessel was seized by the Chilean in
surgeu.s, has been in California for the past
TWO months, unbeknOwn TO his friends in
Chile, who have been making anxious in
Quiry for him.
Mr. Welz's adventures subsequent to his
resignation from the service of the South
American Steam Navigation Company are
lar more interesting than the story OF his
life during the time he served aboard the
little steamer which so successfully eluded
the customs officials at San Diego and gave
the cruiser Charleston such long chase.
Tho gentleman is stopping with friends in
East Oakland, and readily furnished THE
CALL representative yesterday with the de-
tails of his trials and fluctuations since he
went cut of the steamship business. he
said:
81 started from Valparaiso on August %.
CT two days after the famous battle of
PIaclls, with the Intention of coming to
California.
II was accompanied north to lquique by
Ignacl Vicuns, nephew of Claudio Veuna,
who was proclaimed President OF Chile by
Balmaceda and ousted by Pedro Mont.
young Vicuna was wanted by the Bal
mscedanS, as he was in opposition 10 his
uncle anu Tue DlCthtoL anu NAu BULLY UC-
fore led party of reyolutionists against tie
town Of Port Corral, in South Chile, the
port of entry for the beautiful city OF V al
diva.
his fortune in the United States, and 1
agreed 10 accompany him to this city. l
never saw the young man again, however,
till | reached Panama, nearly one year later.
He was then on board of the Pacific Mail
steamer City of New York, bound for Cali
I 4 nh 4
was travelling steerage He arrived IN San
Francisco without g cent and could not
speak r word of English.
He lived somewhere on Sixth street for
nearly two months. and during that time
would certainly have starved to death but
for ina kindness of an Irish family, with
whom he resided.
Finally IgnaciO was pardoned through
the Influence of Don Walker Martinez re-
eetved money from home and shipped
quietly back to Chile without having at
tTacted public notice in San Francisco.
MY troubles with the Peruvian Govern
ment over the killing of a guard in self
defense at Callao were published in detail
In the New York Herald and are not news,
but the story Of my having been spirited
away to an inland prison, fed on stale
crackers, beans and water for nearly three
months without being allowed TO communi-
cate with the German Consul has never
been in print.
hours OF misery l suffered in my miserable
dungeon. My food was passed in to me
through grating, and 1 was allowed only
fifteen minutes each day in which 10 walk,
under guard. about the prison grounds.
"0nly those who have tasted of the mis-
cries of solitary confinement can appreciate
the fervor with which l looked forward 20
those precious moments of sunshine and
fresh air.
Zone day, during one of these breathing
aDalla I nOfiPAd a n q tive CiFl m q Einu
signs to me. Tbs next day l wrote letter,
concealed it In the rim of my lat and when
the guard was not looking / dropped it on
the ground in front of the sen0Iita.
''She picked II up. 1t was addressed to
the German Consul a Lima and reached its
destination safely. Twenty-fours later |
was released. profuse apologies were ten
dered me and indemnity promised.
''At Payta, thirty days later, an attempt
was made to assasslnate ME, but | ESCAPED
and boarded afOreign steamer IN the hgrbor
and went to Panama"
''Wers you on board the ltata when she
was seized by the Insurgents ?" was asked.
Yes" replied Mr. Welz, 81 was standing
near the pilot-hOuse when the soldiers
came aboard. Our captain asked them
what they wanted, and they replied, We
want the vessel aud want 1t now
Two hours later she was manned by
picked crew and most all OF her old officers
and crew were sent ashore.
After leaving the Itata, l witnessed
plumber of battles in South Chile. At CO.
quimbo / hid in the hills for five days to
avoid eOmminglng with the insurgent
troops, which were landing for an attack
upon Valparaiso. II had been rumored
that had deserted at Iquique to go to
Santiago 10 give information 10 Bamaceda,
ana as a number of the officers in mand
of The congressionaist trOoDs were person.
ally acquainted with me, thought 1t safest
10 keep out of the way.
AT Taltal | was once arrested as q spy,
but escaped from my prison late at night,
when two OF my guards had fallen asleep,
and third got so full of brandy as to be
unfit for duty. l hit this fellow over the
head with q cOffee-pot, stunning him
momentarIly when he came 10 he gave
the alarm, and soon the soldiers were
searching the surrounding country for me.
1 hid Ia a friends house, and two DAYS
alterward succeeded in getting Cd board of
an English brig bound for Payta Peru"
Mr.. Well witnessed a skirmsh line
armed with Winchester rifles and using
smokeless cartridges in action.
THE smokeess cartridge" he said,
'creates curious vapor like thick haze.
This seems to hang over the firing columns
for a few minutes and gradually disappears
This vapor does not render objects close to
the ground dimly visible, but, instead
rises to a considerable height and does not
in any way interfere with the vision on the
battle field as Is the case with the old-style
explosives"
Mr.. Well intends to spend several months
tends taking up his residence in San Diego,
Erf ttnh offr In fs hfrfHI