The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1896-04-01
"Just as I Shoot You, Sc
Would I Shoot the Amer
lean Consul"
Habana Cor. N. Y. Herald.


Dr.. Delgardo, who is slowly gaining
strength. though be is not yet out of
danger, completed bis deposition before
the Uuited States consul general on
Thursday His story, as sworn TO-,
was identical 10 all essential particulars
with that told by his father, as publish
ed 10 last Sundays Herald. The cap
tain of volunteers who conducted the
prisoners before General Melquiso was
Captain Augusta Villaueuva, Of the
Jaruco squadron. The informal de-
position of Dr.. De!gardo describes the
shooting in these words:
"When We arrived in the presence of
the brigadier general, Melquzo. |
showed him my American passport and
letter from the United States consul
about our horses I also told him my
father and myself we're neutral~ and
peaceful. had 90 sooner said these
words than be became enraged. and,
mounted as be was, struck me three
times on the head aud face With mis-
bands. knocking off my hat Al the
same time be said: Just as | will
shoot you so | would shoot the Amer-
lean consul. | care nothing for all
these papers of American citizenship
"All this be said with the greatest
contempt. aud calling Captain Villain
ueva, ordered him with IL men to take
the prisoners to the rear. The captain
took US about 50 yards to the rear,
while the Spanish column went on in
the direction of Bainoa.
Captain Villanueya ordered US to be
tied together with a rope, placed us
against a stone fence backed by bushes
and told bis men to cut US down with
their macbetes. 10 the struggle the
rope was broken. He then ordered his
men to IRE volley at US.
WITH BULLETS AND MACHErE.
At the FIRST volley | threw myself
face dowoward, Stimulating death, but
retaining full Consciousness At the
second volley I was struck in the right
loiu by bullet. 1t was found In my
underwear when my clothing was cut
from me afterward They then struck
me With machete on the right side
of the face, but the force of the blow
was broken by the weapon striking the
stone fence and the bushes. breaking
the blade Of the knife. In one of the
volleys bullet grazed the crown of my
head.
81 lay perfectly still and rigid to
appear dead. | was then turned over
on my back, my pockets we're searched
for money and one of the volunteers
poticed by the movement Of my vest
that | was still breathing. [ heard him
say: He has some color 10 bis face.
He is alive, Give him another ID machete.
They gave me another terrible
blow. | then lost consciousness.
Wheo regaiued my senses | found
myself in my room iu our dwelling
house. I was told that myself and
Veparcio Peno were the only ones who
revived, the other six having been rid.
died with balls and cut to pieces With
machete wounds.
The DOCTORS statement vas given 10
detail aod supplemented by the certi-
6cate as to the character Of the wounds
by Or. Daniel NJ. Burgess, sanitary in
svector for the United States IN Ha-
bana, and the official medical attache OF
the Consulate.
When | saw Dr.. Delgado he asked
me eagerly whether | thought the
United States government would take
any interest in his case. | assure him
that the facts were by this time we'll
S'ss11 aspugb the local press were not