The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-09-05
THE ASSASSINATION OF oTAsA.
Particulars OF the Killing OF an American Citi-
Een By Npnniab hoIdIers.

Particulars OF the Killing OF an American Citi-
Ecn by spanish Soldiers.
Through information furnished by a former
American Consul at Havana, Mr.. HenriQuez.
1t has been learned that Edusrd otasa. an
American citizen and brother Of DIR. Joaquin
otnsa of 1877 West Thirty -eighth street. was re-
comfy taken from his plantation In Guayabal,
Cuba, and killed by a body Of Spanish soldiers.
Otasa was n Span!ard by birth and at one time
lived In New York with his wife and nve
children.
Guaysbal Is a small village In the province OF
Santa Clara. II Is not accessible by rail from
Cicnfuegos. the nearest large town. 1t can DO
reached only by horse, tho dchles between the
two places being so narrow as to render tho
passage of "A wagon or ordinary stage coach Inn
possible. Here II was. In tho heart of a thinly
populated village, that Otasa and his family
made their home. lie had amassed q considers
bic fortune during His stay on the island.
According TO the Consul's story Otasa was
awakened ono midnight by q loud rap at tho
door. Drawing on a few garments. he went
down and found confronting him four soldiers
in Spanish uniform headed by their Sergeant.
They had como to drag him Off to the head
quarters OF the commander. who. 1t was ex-
planned. desired to sec him on q matter of bust
ness. Despite all explanations and promises to
be on hand In the morning. he was ordered to
dress and to proceed under escort to head
quarters.
This was the last night his wife saw him alive.
Hour after hour during the following day she
awaited his return. Another day elapsed. an.
other and another, but still no new from her
husband. She then started out on foot TO tho
quarters Of the commander. To him she OK
planned the circumstances attending tho visit
OF the soldiers, tho nature OF their mission, and
OF their order to her husband to accompany
them.
May I see himi T. she said Mt length.
Indeed, madam. ! know nothing about him."
Why. did you not send for him =
Never" responded the commanders: IT did
not know the man. | believe your story. how.
ever, and will promise you that an investigation
shall be made before niRhtfall."
Two weeks later Mrs. Otasa received tho fol.
lowing note:
Come at once to the woods opposite the house.
Important"
and addressed to Mrs. Eduard Otasa. Accom-
panied by three OF her children, Mrs. Otasa won't
TO the woods. and there found to her surprise a
neighborinE planter seated on a fallen tree in
front OF her husbands dead body. The body
had been dug up by two OF the planters dogs.
The above facts were then brought to the at
presented them to Consul-Gcneral Lee. who re-
ported the matter TO Gen. Weyler and also to
the department at Washington.
In the papers now In the hands of Secretary
Of State Sherman u full statement Of the caso
has been given, together with a description OF
the solricrs who callet at Otasa's house. From
what the Consul.General could learn, the mo-
tive Or the crime was revenge. There had been
the hittercst cnnity bet Otasa and the
Mayor OF Guayabal, and 1t is the opinion Of OK.
Consul Hcnriqucz. who IL intimately acquainted
with the Mayor and the O;asa family. that tho
murder was done under ~ direct order OF the
Mayor. Since the affair took place the widow OF
her two houses. and, according to the last ac-
count, she was stopping at Cardenas.