The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1894-01-05

and is rather delicate Of physique
Manuel bears a strong resemblance to
him although he has only a moustache.
The two brothers secured a man
named Roberto Rodriguez to assist them
in the forgery. Gabriel, with his knowl.
edge Of the firms business, gave the
numbers and vouchers, 50 hat every
bogus check presented to the bank,
being properly numbered, was cashed
without suspicion. In due time the
forgeries were discovered, and the accu-
rate knowledge of the firms affairs
which they displayed directed suspicion
go strongly toward the Lugos that an
anonymous letter, now known to have
been written by Rodriguez, was sent to
Hellmund & Co., as follows:
Gentlemen; The forgeries by which
you have been victimized were COM
mitted by q foreigner, who came to Ven
ezuela and invested his money. He lost
it all, and, hoping to recoup his losses,
forged your name. / am the unfortunate
man. Farewell. When you receive this
l shall be far at sea-"
In spite of this the Lugos were ar
rested. They had hidden Rodriguez
away, and without his testimony the
police we're powerless to convict. A few
days before Christmas the Lugo broth
ers called on Rodriguez in his place of
hiding. The latter said he wanted to
give himself up and confess everything.
The Lugos pleaded with him. They i'm
plored him to think of the great disgrace
it would be to their disting rushed family.
The Lugos asked him at last il he would
leave the country. Rodriguez consent
ed il they would make all the prepara-
tions.
A few days later they again called on
Rodrigues and told him that the prepar-
atoms for his departure had been de-
layed, and the police were on his track.
They advised him to change his place of
living. They drove their transporting
tool in a carriage to a house they had
bought in the outskirts. On arriving at
the empty house Manuel stopped with
Rodriguez in the hall, while Gabriel
Lugo went inside. They locked the
outer door. Rodriguez heard Gabriel's
voice in conversation, and became sus
picious.
"Who is speaking to Gabriel?" he ask
ed, %nervously.
"Only my uncle" answered Manuel.
The uncle's name was Francisco Lugo.
He had been more or less a gambler for
twenty years. Rodriguez, who knew
the uncle's character, grew suspicious.
Manuel, to allay his fears, gave him two
revolvers, and said, "See, we are not
armed"
Rodriguez laughed at his own fear, and
put the pistols in his pocket. There was
a bottle Of brandy on the table and
four glasses. Gabriel filed them and
then the uncle came into the room.
This scene was taking place in a back
room.
Drink to the safe escape Of Rod
riguez," the three cried. When the glass
reached Rodriguez's lips he smelt prussic
acid. Dashing the glass to the floor, he
faced the Lugos. When Francisco saw
the poison had failed, he jumped over
the table and aimed a dagger blow at
Rodriguez's chest.
Then a fearful struggle began. Ca
briel held Rodriguez while Manuel and
the uncle tried to stab him. The only
light in the room, a candle, was ex-
tinguished. In the darkness the four
fought or. Rodriguez was stabbed
many times. He succeeded in freeing
himself, and broke out Of the room He
then ran into the par)or and fred three
shots while running, as an alarm. On
reaching the parlor he saw something
in the darkness; he fred and hit Man
uel in the arm. Then he broke the win
dow. He was very weak from loss of
blood, and called out gaspingly, "Help;
the thieves OF the bank are killing me-"
Then he fell from exhaustion, just as
a policeman, attracted by the shots,
burst in the door.
Before the officer could reach him the
uncle made a final thrust and gave Rod,
rigueZ his severest wound. The gen
d'arme went there. and found Gabriel in
the custody of the HORSEPOWER. He
had escaped from the rear, climbed oy er
a wall, entered the next house and was
trying to wash off the blood in the water
cooler when the proprietor found and
held him.
The police searched the empty house.
In the rear yard they found an open
grave. nearly dug. BY it's open mouth
lay shovel, ropes and all the things nee
essary for the hasty burial Of Rodriguez
when he had been killed.
Rodriguez WAS taken to the hospital
where he was still in a critical condition
when the steamer sailed, but he had re-
covered sufficiently to confess all. Many
of the other relatives of the Lugos have
been arrested. so highly wrought is pub
lie opinion, though there are no charges
against them.
DR.. Lugo has four other children, two
boys and two girls. Manuel married a
wealthy m some years ago, and
business on her money. He
s~quanderded it, and has since been living
by his wits. Gabriel and the uncle are
also married.