The San Francisco call., 1895-07-19
CRUELTY TO AMERICANS,
The Crew of the Star of Free
dom BarbarouSIy Treated
in Mexico.
Even Captain Johnson, Owner of
the Schooner, Was Imprisoned
in La Paz Jail.

in La Paz Jail.
A story of almost incredible cruelty to
American sailors was brought from La
Paz, Lower California, by Mexican gen.
tleman who arrived in this City few days
ago, and if the case is pressed by the vic
tins it is of such nature that an interna-
tional difficulty is likely to arise between
the United States and Mexico. The suf-
ferers were all connected with the schooner
Star of Freedom, which was stolen from
Oakland Creek five months ago and taken
to Mexico by Oscar Bartels.
After all the trouble and hardships the
schooner has been abandoned by her
owner, Captain Johnson. The Star of
Freedom was seized by Mexican
officials at La Paz, and then the case
got tangled up in the red tape of the
Attorney-GeneraPs office in an attempt to
have Bartels and his companions extra
dicted. Johnson went to Mexico thinking
he could take possession of his vessel, but
found that the expenses and port charges
were so exorbitant as to be more than the
schooner was worth. This fact, in addi-
ton to the barbarous treatment given Bar
tells and his crew, and later Captain john
son, by Mexican military authorities in
Lower California, it is believed, will stir
up the high officials at Washington, for
Bartels, his seaman and the cabin-boy
were maItreated in a savage manner, and
Johnson himself, an American seeking
justice in Mexico, was thrown into filthy
jail as common criminal.
When Oscar Bartels sailed away with
his prize from this port he headed the Star
of Freedom for Mexico, and never there
after did he draw in sail until off the
sleepy port of San Jose del Cabo, near
Russian sailor and a small boy, II years of
age, whom he picked up in San Francisco,
and who were ignorant of the fact that
their master had stolen the schooner. On
arriving at San Jose del Cabo Bartels was
surprised to learn that his coming was
watched. He was detained until detach-
ment of twenty-three Rurales arrived from
La Paz, a distance of over $50 miles. These
soldiers were under command of an officer
named Machorro whose title or rank was
"Jefe de los Rurales." MachoIro promptly
arrested Bartels, the sailor and cabin-b boy
and locked them up in a one-room filthy
prison at San Jose del Cabo, where they
were kept for night and two days. Mean
while, according to the story told by the
La Paz merchant, the Rurales Jefe became
intoxicated.
Next morning the three prisoners were
ordered out. They were not allowed to
take blankets or change of clothes
from the schooner. Mules were saddled
and the prisoners. after having their arms
tied behind their backs from elbow to
elbow, were hoisted upon the mules and
started off for La PaZ, $50 miles away.
All through that weary march. which
lasted four days, the prisoners were not
released. They were tortured by gnats and
clouds of pestiferous insects, blistered by
the torrid sun and beswitched by brambles
flying in their unprotected faces along the
route, but never once were the cords
loosened that bound their arms to their
sides. The path lay over most terrific hills,
barren and burning hot. The boy cried all
along the way, but had to endure the tor
lures with the other two prisoners. He
cried for water, which was denied him.
Their faces were eaten by insects and they
were hungry and thirsty as well as over
come by heat and the torture of being tied
to the mules and bound with ropes.
Even at night the bonds were not re-
moved and the poor wretches were COM
PEELED to lie upon the floor of some filthy
Jail or upon the ground without covering.
The La Paz authorities did not trust the
Rurales and selected three merchants of
San Jose del Cabo to accompany the pris-
oners. These gentlemen were Louis Cas-
tro, Salomon Veyo and f. Viya. Moved
To COMPASSION LOT Cne lieu anu UOIIuTeu
men they gave them water and some food,
and On arriving at La Paz they caused the
arrest of Jefe Machorro, whose punish
ment it was then stated would be ten
years imprisonment, but the authorities
failed to take action and Machorro went
free.
The boy was discharged at La Paz after
an investigation, but although the Russian
sailor, who spoke Spanish fuently, had as
serted his and the boys innocence, they
received no consideration from the cruel
Rurales. He was thrown into prison with
Bartels and they were there two weeks
ago. Captain Johnson arrived on the next
steamer and he, too, was placed under ar
rest, though he had gone to La Paz to re-
gain possession of his schooner.
The people of San Jose and La Paz were
indignant over the brutality which the
Rurales showed the unfortunate prisoners
and they were the first to make it known.
They notified the Federal Government of
Mexico and expect that an investigation
will be ordered from the City of Mexico,