Evening star., 1896-12-21
ZERTUCHA'S STORY iNDETAlL
He Relates Circumstances Surrounding
Haceo's Death.
Expresses Surprise That He In Re-
sardcd as q Traftor-Is He
Playing a Partf

One of the most interesting stories that
have come from Cuba for some time has
been sent by the New York Herald corre-
spcndent from Havana, and embraces the
first complete narrative of Maceo's death
as Zertuch:t his physician, saw it, After
the correspondent had told him of the sus-
picion against him. and he had expressed
his surprise, the correspondent asked:
what did yol do after you left Maceo's
dead body?'
Il jumped on my horse and rejoined
Pedro Diaz, who was in command of the
other portion of Maceo's force"
why did you do that?'
"To tell him rat Maceo and Gomez were
dead. 1t was then he sent twenty-five men
back to the spot 1 indicated as the place
where Msceo fell to get the bodies. AS
they approached the bodies three guerrillas,
in the act of rifling them, fled precipitately.
and the insurgents carried of the bodies.
And where were you at this time?
Where was I?' repeated the doctor, as
if to gain time. why, was with Diaz."
You were not Ill or wounded, or poor, or
had not charged your mind about the JUS
tice of the Cuban cause?"
Then why did you return to the Spanish
ranks and give yourself up?"
That is something cannot tell you" re-
piled Zertucha, emphatically. MY position
is delicate one.
you have heard nothing about the Span
ish government having paid you draft of
$50. .OO0?"
Such question is an insult" said Ter
tucha, but with little spirit.
Il am not here to insult YOU the corre-
spondent replied. but to cover the facts"
Very well. 1 will write them out for
YOU" said Zertucha."
them to the Herald over your signature.
But now want to telegraph tonight. Sure
ly you are not afraid to answer few ques-
tions?"
"Oh, no." bracing himself for the ordeal
'How far were you from Maceo when ne
was shot?'
Il was sitting on my horse at his side.
He had just placed his hand on my shoul-
der and remarked, Things are going well,'
meaning he was contented with the pro-
gress of the fight.
He had hardly uttered the words when a
Mauser ball struck him in the jaw, and he
fell from his horse. He lay on his back as
l approached him, writhing in agony
Did he speak after being shot?''
HE could not; the carotid artery was
pierced and he was choking with the blood
that poured down his throat. / tried to re-
lieve his sufferings, but in few moments
he was dead
explain not being shot yourself?' the
respondent asked, relentlessly. although the
doctor was telling his story with every ap-
pearance of honesty.
was riding on the other side of Maceo, just
before he was shot. had also been wounded
Not being shot myself was pure good
fortune. suppose my position kneeling
over Maceo's body behind my horse pro-
tected me somewhat"
And where was Gomez all this time?
When did he learn of Maceo's death, and
when cid he find time to write the alleged
note found on him? Was he with your
After moments thought the doctor
pulled himself together and said:
No; Gomez was not with us when Ma
Geo fell. While l was bending over the
body Gomez rode up, with his right arm
shattered by rifle ball
My God. Is that Maceos body?' he
cried. leaping from his horse. Satisfied that
Maceo was dead he helped me throw Ma
ceos corpse over the saddle of Maceos
horse, but at the moment the Spaniards
made another dart toward us, firing a vol
ley.
"A ball pierced Gomez's side, breaking
his other arm. l aprang on Maceo's horse,
saying, The general is dead, and tried to
lift Gomez up in front of me-
NO, Will stay with Maceo,' he replied
sinking back on the ground Argument was
useless, and putting spurs to Maceos horse
1 fled. with the Spaniards almost upon me-
I'VE We're in an inclosure surrounded by
fence, but l rode through gate and joined
DiaZ, as 1 have said.
Finding no one to fight, the Spanards
rode off, and believe when Gomez saw the
three guerrilas approaching he killed him
self with the knife mentioned as Maceo's.
but which really belonged to him. l infer
this from the fact that when the detach-
n'ent sent by DiaZ brought back the bodies
| examined that of Gomez and found a
knife thrust through his chest"
You do not know where the bodies were
buried?''
No; but Pedro Diaz does, and so do his
officers"
According to Zertucha, Miro, Bermudez
and Nodarz were all wounded during the
acticn. From map of the scene of ac-
ton which he drew and from his state
ment, Cirujeda had about 500 men and
Maceo 500. Maceo, with his staff was to
the right, facing the Spanish force which
consisted of infantry behind a stone wall,
with cavalry on either side. Diaz was in
command of the detachment to the left
He suffered little, the whole attack being
directed against Maceo, who, according to
Zertucha, was trying to surround $40 men
There is the doctors story in it's entirety
Zertucha says he has his passport, and
is going to Spain by the first steamer OF
the French line, and will disembark at
are strongly fortified in Pinar del Rio, and
that there are at least 10000 insurgents
there we'll armed.
One thing the correspondent believes is
certain either Zertucha betrayed Maceo or
he is Maceo's agent, commissioned by him
to go to New York or Paris. He says that
he has told the Spanish government that
he has in no way changed his opinions
since ne joined the insurgents. He well
says that his position is a delicate one
He says his passport for his return to
Spain has already been granted him.
From another source the correspondent
learns he will not be allowed to leave the
island. 1t is regarded as significant that
a presentario who gave himself up yes
terday, after the death of Maceo, was a
Spaniard. who, Cubans believe, made the
deal with Zertucha.
The. Pp1ucefou Gloo Cluhs