The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-11-29
P. G. oaLEsRY,s CASE.
BE Writes Letter to His Sister Ex-
planning the Circumstances


Miss Julia Oglesby, sister of Pierre c.
Oglesby, now in prison on a charge of as
saulting an officer in Havana, has written
her letter giving an account of the cir
cumstances surrounding his arrest.
The letter covers the ground already
given, but more in detail. He says
/ haven't written you earlier because
didnOt wish to distress You with the
news of my misfortune, and it is no easy
task to write ones family of being in
prison, no matter how unjust the cause
of Imprisonment, besides. | had no money
with which to procure writing materials
but this morning | was fortunate enough
to sell my last neCktie to a Chinaman for
a sufficient amount with which to post
this letter. The facts connected with my
arrest and detention would seem almost
incredible in thegUnited States and are
as follows
arrived in Havana Oct "A. I spent
the evening Of Oct. y at, the Inglaterra
hotel in conversation with some American
gentlemen. About 8 o'clock | started to
my hotel. Not being familiar with the
city lost my way. Meeting soldier of
the order publica military police asked
him if he would kindly direct me to the
Hotel Roma. He replied very politely
that he would go with me part of the
way. When we had proceeded two or
three blocks we were joined by another
soldier. After going a short distance
further we crossed some streets which
recognized, and knew we were not going
in the right direction l spoke to the sol
diers about it. They replied it was all
right, we were going the most direct
route.
After telling how he was led away into
back alley and robbed by the soldiers,
his hands bound behind his back, then
taken sbefore an alcalde or justice
and forced to sign a charge after protest
ing and writing a denial of it before his
signature, and taken to jail. he says:
Only after arriving here did ] realize
the predicament into which ! had fallen.
| found that ! stood charged with striking
a soldier. This offense is tried in Cuba
by cOurt-martial and punished with
almost Incredible rigor. BY virtue of the
treaty between Spain and the United
States American citizens are not tried by
court martial, but their cases are trans
ferred to the civil authorities. Unless
very energetic measures are used it is fire.
quently months before a case involving an
American is tried at all. If l can only
get fair trial have no fear as to the re
suit. About an hour after arriving al the
prison l was visited by young Spaniard
who representa- himself as clerk of the
American consulate. He took down my
statement. LOOK DOSSGSSlOu bl NV pass
ports, .andleft. | haven't seen him since
and have only heard from the consulate
twice since, once when an old gentleman
who stated that he was connected
with the consulate visited me and
advised me to retain a lawyer, and yes
terday when the same old gentleman
brought me your letter As day after day
passed and heard nothing from the
consul, | became impatient. When ! first
arrived here ] was confident of being re-
leased within day or TWO and spent the
few cents the robbers left me for food. /
found myself after the lapse of a week
and half still a prisoner, with no idea
how the case against me stood; without
writing materials or the means to pro
cure them. Smarting under the indigni-
ties to which / had been subjected and
thinking the consul had been inexcusably
negligent in the premises / managed to
procure paper and stamps and wrote two
letters, one to the New York World and
one to President Prescott OF the Inter
national Typographical Union. In the
letter to the World | told as fully as
could On the little paper which ! had
I what had happened yesterday.
I Concluding he says: ! was. indeed.
gratifed to learn through your letter of
the active steps being taken in my native
state in my behalf 1t is beyond my power
to express my gratitude to those who
have so kindly aided me ia this time 0
peril and need. Tender my sincere thanks
to them all, and especially to the news
paper fraternity, upon whom ! chiefly
rely, it being in their power to show up
this outrage in the manner il deserves.
and to demand justice for one Of their
members,
Miss OglesbY has also received a letter
from the department of state. saying tina
u telegram had been received from tn,
vice consul general al Havana, date.
Nov. %, stating that the case would b
taken to the Guadalupe district cOur
Nov. "a The letter states further tina
in its power to secure for Mr.. Oglesby
speedy trial.