Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1896-12-18
Claim Maceo was Assassinated.

NEW YORK. Dec. 15.-The Cuban junta
in this city is in receipt of trustworthy in
formation confirming the reports of the
death of General Antonio Maceo and as
serting positively that the great patriot
leader was foully assassinated-the victim
of the most cowardly and treacherous plot
in the annals of modern warfare.
The facts as received by the junta are
substantially these;
Early in November Maceo received a
mysterious message which appeared to
come from the Marquis of Ahumada, with
full authority from General Weyler, as the
messenger carried safe conduct issued by
Weyler personally. Nothing was written,
the message was only verbal The messen-
ger stated that he came to offer an inter
view with the Marquis of Ahumada to ar
range the terms for the evacuation Of the
island by the Spanish troops.
At this conference only Brigadier Miro,
chief of the staff of Maceo, was present
well, answered Maceo, "go and tell
the Marquis of Ahumada that will con-
slider the thing and give him an answer. "
Maceo Immediately gathered his staff,
and, explaining the situation, asked the
opinion Of his subordinates-
Brigadier Miro expressed his belief that
the whole thing was a scheme of the Span
iards to catch Maceo in a trap. But Dr.
Maxine Zertucha tried to convince the
Cuban leader that it was wise to meet the
Marquis of Ahumada, as the financial sit
uation Of Spain clearly indicated that the
Spanish army would soon have to abandon
the hght Though Maceo was satisfied that
the situation of Spain indicated a coming
crisis he accepted the views of Miro and
resolved to wait, thinking 1t strange that
l. -.
made to him and not to General Gomez.
Maoeo was a very modest and unambitious
man. and as brave as he was faithful to
his superiors without first knowing the
opinion of General Gomez he would never
enter into any kind of treaty.
When this first attempt of the Spanish
failed, Weyler returned to Havana to con-
fer with the Marquis Of Ahumada. This is
the explanation of the sudden return of
the butcher to the capital after he started
to Pinar del Rio to take personal COM
mand of the Spanish forces with the prom
Use that before his return the revolution
should be crushed.
The First Plot Failed.
When Maceo invaded the province Of Pi-
mar del Rio for the second time, the sec
ond attempt at his assassination was plan
ned, and Maxine Zertucha, the surgeon,
was found as the traitor TO carry out the
crime. First Barrera, the chief of police,
succeeded in communicating with Ter
tuoha. Afterward the traitor had eommu-
nications with the Marquis of Ahumada,
through Colonel Tort who before the war
was an intimate friend Of zertuoha. and
10 whom. as arranged previously, the
traitor surrendered In San Felipe He was
subsequently given his freedom, and un-
| questionably received the reward, which
is said to have been $50, 600, for his treaoh-
/ cry.
Colonel Tort, who is a very bloodthirsty
spanish officer. recommended Zertucha to
The Marquis Ahumada as the very man
needed to attract Maceo a given place
and to inform the Spaniards Of all the Gu
ban leaders movements Wsyler agreed,
and, after promising zertucha, through
Tort, monetary reward, with which he
,ould live safely in Spain, started again to
Pinar del Rio with more forces still TO
compel Maceo to make desperate effort
which Weyler hoped would bring him into
ihe desired trap.
Led 1ntO Trap.
Maceo had received adyices from Gomez
hat the commander Ia chief was prepar-