The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-11-05
UNDERHILL WANTS 100000,
AND BE rs SUING GEN. HERNANDEZ
OF VENEZUELA ron 1T


Prisoner in His Own House withou,
Cause and Forced Him TO Sell the water
Works at Ciud.d bolivar for Much Les,
than They Were worth-een. Herman.
dez Gives Bail and Sails for Homo.
Gen. jose Manuel Hernandez Of Venezuela.
after paying his bill at the Hotel Victoria yes.
terday morning and preparing to 60 on board
the steamship which was to take him home.
was arrested by two Sherifrs deputies on an
order issued In civil suit for 500. 900 dam
ages This suit for 100000 damages was
brought In the Supreme Court OF Kings county
on Friday by Mr.. and Mrs. George +. Under
hill OF 260 Forty-nith street. Brooklyn. AL
though the events upon which the suit is
founded occurred more than year ago. their
story has mover before been published.
Mr.. Underhill first went to Venezuela as su-
perintendent Of the famous IL Callao gold
mine. In 1884 President Cleveland appointed
him United States Consul at Ciudad Bolivar.
At the expiration OF four years Mr.. Underhill
resigned his Office and obtained from the Ven
ezuelan Government permission to enter Into
contract with the city Of Bolivar to supply 1t
with water. He built an extensive system OF
water works. which. with pumps. pipes. and
buildings, cost him $4,000 in United States
money. The venture was great success. and
$4,000 and afforded revenue OF $4,000 u
year. Mr.. Underhill leased q house in Bolivar.
fitted 1t UP in comfortable style. bought a fine
mule. hired servants. and made all arrange
ments for a long sojourn in that city.
Then came the revolution OF 1892 Gen.
Hernandez WAS second in command Of the In.
surgent force under Gen. Crespo He had or
Ranized an army Of followers in the province
OF Bolivar. and in August he marched toward
Ciudad Bolivar. the capital On Aug. he de-
feated the Government troops under Gen. Sam
tos Carrera near Bolivar. and on Aug - he
took possession OF the city. Mr.. Underhill
claims that on that day Gen. Hernandez or
dered him and his wife to be made prisoners In
their house. An armed forcv was kept around
the building, and cannon were placed in the
street pointing toward the house.
Mr.. Underhill says that no asked Gen. Her
nandez through his agents for permission for
himself and his wife to leave Venezuela, but
that. in spite OF this request. they were kept
prisoners until Oct l. During all this time
his supply Of provisions and fuel was reduced
and often held back entirely BY the guard that
surrounded the ihouse. He and his wife were
subjected to all kinds OF indignities. in conse-
auence OF which he became seriously Ill. On
Sept. H. at tho risk OF his life. he went In per-
son to Gen. Hernandez and demanded to be
released. Gen. Hernandez refused and sent
him back to his house under guard. On ono
occasion he was allowed TO leave his house to
make an examination OF tho steamer So
corro which was lying in the harbor. but an
armed guard accompanied him.
During all this time. Mr.. Underhl says.
agents OF Hernandez were constantly APP
preaching him to induce him to sell the water
works. At first they offered him 1000 pesos.
but after he had Indignantly refused this, they
raised their Otler to 5000 about
$4,000 In United States money. They gave
him to understand that unless he sold thss
have no hope Of being reieased For six w ees
he steadily refused to, sell tho proberty. but
main prisoner until he consented to sell out,
he finally gaye H. and on oct transferred %
The next day he and his vile we're allowed to
leave Bolivar.
seetsd o TIE 1Ha
Gen. Hernandez was elected Senator from the
province Of Bolivar and soon attained prom.
went by. however. and Mr.. Underhi did not
bring suit against the new Goyernment for tbs
About three months ago Gen. Hernandez
went to Europe to rest A week ago yester-
On the whch
to sail at l O'Clock yesterday a'ternoon. and
spent the week in seeing the sights Whether
Mr.. Underhill waited until the last moment as
a matter of policy. or whether he did not know
before Of Gen; Hernandez's presence in town
~ 10 ~ ehy. ~ any lhlc Ou TTluaJ
$4,000 damages fer tLe loss Of tho Bolivar
and indienities. At the same time Mrs TN
derhill brought suit for $4,000 for personal
Gpon A Nr. Underhill;s affidavit that Gen.
Hernandez was about to leave the city. Justice
Cullen granted an order OF arrest. fixing the
Armed with this order, sherifrsc Deputies
nsndeH at the the vietolia He,s He immedateIy
sent word to tho firm OF ROultDn. Bliss * Dali
lett merchants at 1875 Front street. who do q
large business in the markets of yopszue!a.
and to CadenaS Co. exporters at oS william
street. The situation was explained to them
so quickly; and they took action so quickly. that
the Sherii's office lawyer from Coudert Broth
ers' office appeared with certified check for
endorsed by Cadenns 4 Co., Hi these prscnu-
lions having been taken Gen. Hernandez was
Before going on board the Caracas ho said
through an interpreter:
There is a great deal in this affair. and. at
The trouble all grew out OF Mr.; Cnderhill's in;
reference in local affairs. lie sympathized
we occupied the city he shut of the water sup sup
ply, looked ny. his contract with the town
authorites; and found IN. that he was eompelIed
party was In rnwer. and simply enforced this
contrast.
his wife. and did not force him to sell the |
works for less than their value: Mr.. Under
NIL. remember. comDlalneu nj the time that |
he had been treated unfairly. Tho matter was |
brought into the courts of Bolivar. and there |
was eXonerated from all blame.
when the United States ship kearsarge mr. |
rived the matter was brought before Capt.
Crowninshield. He made report. which you |
will find in Washington. exonerating me COM
pletely
=" thought that Mr.: Underhill had dropped
tho matter entirely. lie apOlogiZed to mo no. |
fore he eft Venezuela. and expressed his re-
greet at having caused mo 40 much trouble. |
always believed that he went away with only
friendly feelings toward me"
AS soon as tho matter Of tail had been set |
tied Cen. Hernandez and his AdIutunt got into
Q hack and hurried on board tho ship. Mr.. |
Frederic Coulsrt said he supposed that |
Gen. Hernandsz's answer would be that he |
was the repressntative OF tho Government. and
that he acted in an official capacity In all that
he did, Gen. Hernandez sailed at | O'clock. |
He will probably not return to New York, but |
will file his answer through his counsel.