The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-11-10
PORTLANDERS In CUBA.
The "English Weasel and His Maine
Origin.

origin.
Captain Ficlkett's Recorlections of Henry
ID. Goeld and His Early Days on Gu
ban Sugar Estates.
The fate of the Cuban leader, Ri lngle-
sito, continues to be matter of solicit
tude to his relatives In this city. 1t was
reported several weeks ago that he had
been killed by guerillas at San Nicholas,
but as such reports are potoriously un-
reliable his relatives here have hopes
that he may still be alive and doing
good service in the patriot army.
He has been reported killed on several
OCCASIONS, but as many times has turned
up alive, so that his relatives have good
ground for hope. The real name Of this
daring insurgent leader is Alfred Goold,
whose father was citizen of Portland In
the days of 1861. The PRESS. desiring
to ascertain if possible the truth Of the
statements published, as also to get more
facts concerning the parentage of this
brave young leader, sent reporter to
interview an aunt of the young man,
Mrs. George W. Sholes, residing on
Spruce street in this city.
The interview developed the fact that
Henry D. Goold, who had for a number
of years prior to 1851 been a resident of
Portland, and carpenter by trade. had
taken passage with q MIR. Rand, con-
tsacting carpenter, with whom he went
Do Eo 70 of 10
being identified a number of years in
Cuban interests. and having become ac-
quainted In San Christabel. Havana and
Bolondorn. province of Matanzas. he
became what is known as an administers
tor In charge Of several large sugar plan
tations, q position which gave man
much Influence and won for him the re-
spsot and esteem of the people of the
province.
Mr.. Goold returned to America for
brief time on a visit, but on his return
to Cuba married Cuban lady of high
rank. By this union several children
weru horn to them, of which number
surRs1t army.
Alfred is 2 young man of 80 years, and
il the owner of blacksmithery and
eeoperaRe business; but at the outbreak
of the Cuban revolt he. with his brother,
Joined tho insurgent army, then in
command Of Antonio Maceo.
He has proven himself to BIZ a mau of
energy and skill. He has given the
Spaniards endless trouble. and has been
called the "English weasel. He has ris-
en- in rank In thelarmy. but reports from
Cuba are mea gre indeed, SO that his
present rank is unknown, II he be alive.
Several attempts have been made by his
relatives here to correspond with him,
but their efforts have been in vain. ow-
ing to lack of facilities. They have also
hoped that definite statement could be
obtained as to the truth of the reports of
his death. The only information that
the relatives in this city of the father
and sons, have secured up to the present
time is from friend who has sbeen in
Cuba.
Efforts. however, will be made to as
certain through the American consul at
Havana as to the welfare of the father
and his gallant soldier sons.
Captain Pickett, Of the U. S. Barge
Office, rememb ers very well the father
Of Alfred Goold. who was Henry D.
Goold. 81 was in Cuba about three
years." says Captain Fiokett, "and was
for time on the sugar plantation San
Domingo with Mr.. Goold. This estate
WAS owned by Senior Don Miguel de Ala
mo. millionaire, who also owned TO mr.
other rich plantations. His estates yield
cd yearly five Thousand barrels of re-
fired sugar, which was shipped to Eu-
rope. Tho estates were named the Santa
Rosa. Santa Domingo, San Jose and
Conception. All were equipped with the
latest improvements for the manufac-
ture Of sugar. Senior Don Miguel was
born an the Island, and although the son
of Spaniard. was very patriotic Gu
ban. He even would refuse to employ
Spaniards on his plantation. Those
were fourishing days on the Island.
There were about fourteen Yankees on
the Santa Domingo estate. including
Mr.. Goold and myself. We received all
our pay in gold. was foreman on one
Of the estates until an accident rendered
ny return to the States necessary. If
remember rightly Mr.. 6sold was fore
man of the estate called Conception.
"Senor Don Miguel was fine gentle
man, who could converse with equal
fuency in Spanish or English. He was
patriot and wished to see Cuba free.
He spared neither money nor effort in
behalf of his country. The government
became suspicious of him later, and
broke into his private residence at Ha-
vana, taking $sO0,0oo and demolishipg
the furniture. Those in tho house took
refuge in secret hiding place. His
estates. valued at about s7,00O.0O0, were
contiscated by the government, but with
his family and about fifty other patriots,
he escaped to New York. This was
about fifteen years ago. Don Miguel
died shortly after, a broken hearted man,