Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-03-13
killed I Spanish COLONEL.
The Thrilling Narrative Of a Recently
Arrived Guam Rufugee.
Entrapped by Spaniards, He Shoots
an officer and Saves His Sweet
heart-Captured and Threatened
With Torture - He Finally Bs-
capped to This Country.

Philadelphia, Pa, March IA
thrilling story of the war in Cuba is
told by Edward Mccullough, a refugee
in this city. Mccullough is about 3S
years of age, and highly educated. He
was born and educated not far from
London. Eng, but has spent the greater
part Of his life on the island of Cuba.
Mccullough joined the Cuban army
at the outbreak of the rebellion, and
soon afterward was appointed an Off
Ger on Gen. Maxine Gomez's staff. His
excellent English education made him
of special value to the Cubans, who
showered upon him many favors. Nc
Collough took part in many campaigns,
and. according to his own modestly told
story. won distinction. He was half
owner of a large sugar plantation not
far from MatanZas.
Finding that it was necessary for him
to return to the plantation to attend
TO certain urgent affairs connected with
the estate. Mccullough set out for Mat
anzas on the 23d of last month, with an
escort Of twelve men. The plantation
being not far distant ne was not long
in arriving there. When within sight of
the plantation he observed several
Spanish soldiers on the grounds. 1t
instantly flashed across his mind that
the plantation was in possession Of
Spanish troops, and this surmise
proved correct. Hastily telling his es-
corts to hide in such places as to readily
reply to any sudden summons that
might be given, he rode on into the
plantation.
"As rode into the yard of the plan
tation. four or five Spanish sOl1iers
came toward me, but they did not offer
me personal violence, nor did they, at
first, lay hands on me. As my tiancee
was in the house a guest of the family
residing there | was. Of course, much
alarmed for her safety. ! rushed up
the stairs. and on the second floor l
found the girl in the presence Of a Span
ish officer. The man was none other
than the notorious COls Silensius. He
insulted the girl in the most frightful
manner. and used language that would
chill the heart Of the lowest Of Great
ures.
"I was beside myself with fury and
sprang at the wretch with all the power
that l could comand. We rolled to the
floor and there struggled as only two
desperate men can, each seeking to take
the others life. He was much stronger
than l and was soon getting the best
of the fight. | tore myself loose and
leaped to my feet, drawing my revolver
as | did so. The Spaniard whipped his
pistol from his pocket. We both fred
at the same instant. and the colonel
fell to the floor a corpse, while | stood
Unharmed. l looked around the smoke
filled room for my fiancee. She lay
soutstretched upon the floor in
tsWOOn.
The firing had attracted the Span
iards below, and also of my brave little
escort hidden within hearing distance.
All rushed pell nell into the house and
up to the room. The sight of their
leader lying dead on the floor madden
ed the Spaniards. and they sprang at
me with all the ferOcity of their nature.
My men, coming upon them at that
moment. they were forced to turn and
give them battle I quickly picked ND
my insensible fiancee and carried her
into an adjoining room. I then hasten
ed down stairs and over to tho Office
of the plantation, where I was able TO
Obtain some money.
Quickly mounting my horse I sped
away But my escape was not to be
so easily made. l had not gone far
when my horse was shot under me bv
a Spanish straceler who was hanging
about the outskirts Of the plantation
/ was uninjured by the fall of my horse.
but being unarmed. having lost nv mis-
tol In my fight from the house. I could
make no fight.Consequently was can
tured and taken back TO the house
Upon arriving there I found that nv
little escort had been overcome bv the
Spaniards, who greatly exceeded them
in numbers.
The soldiers wanted 10 hang or shoot
me at once. But one OF their men who
assumed leadership. said that il would
afford them more amusement to tor
ture me. I was bound and placed in
care OF a SDaniard. who. fortunately for
me had known many years. and who
though a rOyalist i'm every nerve and
fibre. was still a warm friend of mine.
] was taken to one of the Outbuildings
for safe keeping. ] knew that every
attempt would he made by him to guard
the honor and life OF my poor fancee
whom he had also known for a long
time. Luckily I had some Spanish
money about me. This I gave to- him
with the understands that he should
allow me 10 escane. and that he would
do all that lay i'm his power to protect
my intended wife and the other wo-
men Of the plantation I obtained
these assurances from him and ran TO
the river by a circUitous route.
Arriving there. I FASTENED aboard
one Of the steam launches used to con-
vey sugar to Matanzas. The vessel
was quickly started down the river
and in the course O time 7 reached Mat
anzas. Upon reaching there I obtain
ed passage on a sailing vessel. and ar
rived at Norfolk Fearing the presence
of Spanish agents az Norfolk. / fed 10
Petersburg Va. and thence 10 this city.
with the intention Of making my way
to New York where ! viii be able 10
find many warm sympathizers. shall
then make an attempt TO secure imme-
diate passage back to Cuba. The gen
eral opinion prevails in Cuba that the
United States is thoroughly friendly 10
the island. and that il is a question OF
but a short time when belligerent rights
will be granted her.