The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1896-04-01
Sold Out to Spain.
Fireman Owens on the Com
modOre Peaches"

Charleston, March 26.--Edward
Owens, late fireman on the 6liouster-
ing steamer Commodore, went before
the Spanish consul here to-day and
made statement regarding the much
talked of trip of the Commodore He
was mad because the officers of the
boat would not pay him more money
and he had been drinking besides He
admitted that be always knew where
the boat really was going, but he
claimed to have been "shapghaied,"
that is, shipped to 60 to one port and
then taken to another, and he swears
be will prosecute the officers Of the
Commodore. He cold the consul to-day
that the Commodore went straight to
Cuba when she left here on the 18th.
She tried to lsud at night, and failing
at that, she came boldly up to the
Cuban coast and put her men and arms
ashore. There were 80 men, he said,
among whom we're General DeSoto,
and six boat loads of rifles, nacbetes
and ammunition. he said the land
Jog was made just around cape which
was, be thought, in the province of
Santa Anna (Clara y. The men 90
board we're mostly Americans Of Cuban
extraction, General DeSoto being the
only man of note among them. They
did not drill while on board the Com.
modore, but when they landed they
all put 90 caps with Cuban flags 90
them.
The Spanish consul said that be
could take no part in the matter until
official recognition of Owens state
meut had been taken If Owens
wished to prosecute the officers or libel
the boat, the Spanish government would
help all it could after the case had been
made and if the United States district
attorney would start proceedings Spain
would help to push the matter by get
ting witnesses, etc. Owens saw law
yer this afternoon and a libel suit
against the vessel will be brought to-
morrow.
THE BUTCHERY BEGINS.
Habana, March 26.-It is officially
reported that combination of rebel
bands, taking advantage of the fact
that only small force of Spanish troops
was stationed 10 the city Of Santa,
Clara, marched upon that place on the
night of March % aud penetrated to
the centre Of the town, where they
made an attempt to capture the arsenal.
Gen. Bazan, in command of the troops
iu the city, accompanied only BY his
staff personally inspected the points Of
danger and SO disposed the garrison as
to save the city. The rebel leader
Lconcio Vidal was killed in front Of
the arsenal, opposite the plaza, and his
body remained on the ground exposed
to public view 10 the morning for seve-
raj hours The total losses as the re.
suit of the fight are not known.
The Spanish column uuder Col
Segura has captured large insurgent
camp at Siguanea, in the province Of
Santa Clara He reports that the cap
ture OF the rebel stronghold was accom-.
pli.hed only after several engagements
we're fought, resulting iu the killing of
four of the enemy and wounding a large
number. Col. Segura destroyed the
camp and captured the rebel hospital,
which contained 1875 wounded insur.
gents, among them the rebel leader
Rego. A large quantity of medicine
and number of documents were also
captured The plantation on which
camp was situated was desolated and
the valley which the insurgents
believed to be inpreguable is occupied
by the government troops
Col Pavia repoftes having had an
encounter of FIVE hours duration With
the rebel leader Lacret at the head Of
1000 men, in which the reoels lost
Is killed and many wounded. The
Spanish had one soldier wounded.
The prisoners who we're condemned
to death for the crime of rebellion
against the government we're shot in
the Cabanas fortress this morning.
Murder Near Florence.