Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-12
THE DEATH OF MACE0
DIR. ZERTUCHA INSISTS on THE
CORRECTNESS OF HIS STORY.
THE REMAINS NOT POUND
No Result Yet from investigation OF
Habuna Ncwspr pcr-Nen-Rejoicing
I'm the Cuban Capital over the In
surScnt Leaders Demise.

HABANA, December u.-Dr. Maxine
Zertucha. formerly the physician Of Anto-
MO Naceo who. after the death of Maceo,
surrendered to General Tort, At san
Felipe has been interviewed by a re-
porter OF La Lucha, one OF the leading
newspapers OF this city. Dr. Zertucha
saws that Maceo intended to attempt to
cross the trocha on December 81, but was
prevented by sickness from doing so. On
the next day. however, it was announced,
that he would not march across the
trocha with his men. but would go by
water around the end of the trocha, anu
meet an insurgent force on the Haoaha
side of the line. Two boats were ac-
cordingly painted black. and the oars
were mufied. At night. Maceo and
twenty-six men embarked in the boats,
and passed in front OF the town Of Marlel
at the northern extremity Of the western
trocha. without being seen by any or
the Spanish sentres. Tne rebel leader
Miro and several other commanders OF
rebel bands, accompanied Maceo. Inc
rebel party landed at the point selected
without being discovered.
when. on December 4th, the engage
ment took place between the rebels and
Major Cirujeda's command, Maceo was
encamped with 2.OO0 men. When the
Spanish force appeared Maceo DIVIDED
his men into two wings, his intention pc
ing 10 surround the Spanish column. lie
remained alone with his stan for q mo-
ment. watching the fighting, ana eA-
claimed, This goes WELL
shortly afterwards he was hit by two
bullets. one striking him on the chlh'
breaking his Jaw, and passing out at lhe
Junction Of the neck and shoulder anu
the other striking him in the abdomen.
Either wound would have causeu MS
death. and the rebel leader expired IN
short time.
The rebels. who were fighting despe-
rately against the Spanish attack, were
pauic-stricken when they heard OF the
death Of their chief They fed in DIS
order. not making any attempt then 10
take Maceo's body with them
The Spaniards returned to Punta Bravo
with their dead and wounded when the
field was clear some of the rebels re-
turned. and carried AIaeeo's body of with
them.
BODY NOT FOUND.
DIR. Zertucha says that he does not
know where the remains were buried. ana
thus far the search for them made by
the Spaniards has proved frutless.
The deputation of correspondents ana
reporters Of local newspapers VINO went
10 Hoyo Colorado to search for the oody
are continuing their Investigations. but
nothing concerning the result OF their IN
quiry is as yet known mere.
There is a good deal of quiet rejoicing
In Habana over Maceo's death, but as
M GenOn-
strations. such as have occurred in Spain.
The press of Habana continues to treat
the subject in leading articles, all eX-
pressing satisfaction at. the fact of the
insurgent leaders, death.
IL is reported upon semi-ohicial au-
thority that Dr. Zertucha has stated that
Miro. Alberto Nodarz. Gordon. an Amerl-
can, Ramon AhuIaadn, Alfredo Justiz.
and other leaders. who We're followers OF
Maceo. were more or less severely
wounded, and that the leader Bermudez
was very seriously wounded in the
stomach in the fight with General lnclan,
which took place in the Gobernadora
Hills.
All that Is publicly known here of the
movements of Captaln-General Weyler,
whose return from the province Of Pinar
del Rio was noted in the dispatches last
night. is that he was to-day at Rincon,
a town about twenty miles from Habana.
LITTLE DOUBT OF DEATH.
PHILADELPHIA. PA, December H.
Very little doubt remains in Cuban cir
cles in this city of the death Of An
tonic Alaceo, the Cuban leader. News
came 10 hand to-day from private
sources. which acknowledged that no
further doubt Of Maceo's death can ex-
ist This information comes directly
from the Cuban agents on the island
and acknowledges that no further doubt
of Alaceo's death can exist. 1t Is IN
tended to finish the uncertainty IN the
minds of the Cuban residents mere IL
was characterized as being absolutely
authentic. and as making an end Of any
nossibilitv that the accounts of the Gene
rails tragic end could be untrue.