The morning times., 1897-03-11
MRS. RUIZ IN WASHINGTON
She Seeks Redress for the Muir.
der of Her Husband.
WILL ASK AN INVESTIGATION
The Widow Finds Friends Here
Who Once Lived in Cuba-Five
Children Share Her Grief-The
Preliminary Details of the In-
qUiry to Be Arranged Here.

| can citizen, who was killed in his prison
cell at Guanabacoa, arrived in the city
yesterday morning from New York; and,
with her family OF five children, S sta ying
west. This lady, in whom the people of
the United States feel a pathetic interes {
by reason Of her claim to citizenship in
this country and because of the shocking
| manner III which her husband was put to
death, has come here To seek satisfaction,
SO Far as possible, for the wrongs done her
aud her husband 10y the Spanish officials,
through the friendly offices Of this Govern
ment and the best possible legal ASST stance.
This case is understood to be one not
Capable OF prompt settlement, and VIII
involve interviews with the Secretary OF
State, the gathering and putting in shape
OF the documentary evidence to sub
Stantiate her claim and that OF her hus-
band to the protection OF this country, and
proof that her husband W as Murdered, which
VIII disprove the Spanish account of the
tragedy, that the unfortunate man com
United suicide to escape merited punish-
nIent.
The full name of this interesting visitor
Is Mrs Rita Lescade de Ruiz. The choice
OF place of residence in Washington was
made at No. 1714 Corcoran street, be-
cause the wife Of the proprietor of that
home is Cuban, whU lived at one time
near the Ruiz family in Cuba. The proprie-
tor is not a Cuban. but owns property On
the island AT this house Mrs. Ruiz was
given a hearty welcome, and it is under
stood that she and her family Will remain
there until the proceedings which can only
he had here have been commenced.
Airs. Ruiz is a lady of about thirty
five or thirty-six years OF age When
seen last night by representative OF The
Times she was dressed OF course, in deep
mourning, as were the two eldest mem
herS OF her family the girls, Mercedes,
aged thirteen; and EvangeIine, aged eleven,
lie other cEilJgen are Hcardto, nine
years old: Rene, se zen years old, and Gloria,
child OF three 7 he two girls. who are
old enough 10 feel and sylurathizc with
the sufferingS OF their mother are evi-
IDENTIFY affectionate and Intelligent chill
drea.
The younger OF these two Is Il type OF
Cuban beauty, with large. iustrous dark
face, a rather picturesque looking young
beauty, whose lair is free to rove in
tangled masses over her forehead and
down her shoulders, The eldest girl was
equal pretty and very much OF the same
type. Both of them Were inseparable from
their mother, who, having rested in the
afternoon, was in the parlor with some
of her friends, Mrs Ruiz begged to be eN.
cused FROM an interview She said that
she was mentally and physically fatigued,
and besides the story OF the death OF her
husband, and the cause OF her coming u
America, We're already well known to the
public here.
MrS Ruiz, of course, declined TO make
known any of her plans. There is stili
ample evidence OF the great shock CON
veyed to her by the intelligence Of the
brutal manner in which her husband was
killed She is, in truth, only now recover
ing but slowly from the pIostration caused
hy that event, and is naturally aveIse 10
speaking Of tie subject except when neces-
sary. The death OF DR.. Ruiz and tne
manner i'll which it is stated 10 have been
accomplished were a shock To every sen
sibility wherever they Were read, he having
been killed with a bludgeon for an alleged
resentment of his wrongs and disobe'IeuCp
to captiuus order from a Spanish officer.
1t was stated last night that when mat eTs
were in such shape as tnat they could be
given publicity, there would be no UbjeC-
ton to the publication OF the facts as they
were progressively substantiated.
Mrs. Ruiz did not call at the State De-
partment yesterday, and will not do So,
it was stated, for several days Nor has
she yet chosen her attorneys.
Mrs Ruiz is in such condition that a
very serious illness might be the result
of the terrible ordeal which she has but
recently undergone. She is evidently in
need of several days rest at least This
alone would prevent any immediate activity
by herself or her advisers; hut there is an
additional reason, which makes delay i'm
perative The necessary documents, in
which she will base her claim against
the Spanish government are widely scat
tered and it will be impossible to gather
them Immediately.
Some OF the most important of them are
in Havana, and others in Philadelphia and
New York. An International lawyer will
be required in Mrs. Ruiz's case. 1t is
stated that there are very few lawyers in
IDlS country pOSSeSSlUB tHe dDliIUy an az
the same time the special knowledge that
would fit them to handle it. Some delay
may therefore be expected in this direc-
ton.
An intimate FRIEND and adviser of Mrs
Ruiz was seen in relation TO her case, by a
Times reporter, last night. de stated
that there is not the slightest question
that the claim is just one, and that the
Spanish government will be forced to
indemnify her eventually.
Mrs Ruiz is an American citizen, as
lawfully as any native-born American, - he
said ''Dr. Ruiz was natTaliZed and his
naturali zation papers Were fully COM
pIeted in accordance with every require
ment of the law. The birth of every one of
his children was recorded at the American
consulate in Havana. All of these things
can be fully proven.
The evidence of the murder OF DR.. Ruiz,
suoh proofs as cannot reasonably be
doubted, is in our hands, or now ssing
brought to us from those who have it.
LAS to the immediate matter OF an
audience with Secretary Sherman we have
no fear that he will refuse 1t. The in
vestigation of the murder of Ruiz is with