The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-03-26
FILIBUSTERS ON TRIAL.
The Trial in the Baltimore Federal Court
of the oodall Case-Captain Hud on
Testifies as to the Expedition to Cuba
With Men and Arms.

Baltimore, March 23.-The case
against enc Carlos Roloff, Cuban
secretary of war, and DIR. Joseph J.
gun before Judge Morris in the United
states district court today. General
Roloff failed to appear, but the other
and counsel were early in
the court room.
Two indictments are held against the
Cubans. One is for conspiracy for the
purpose of sending a military expedi-
ton against a friendly power. The
other charges them with the fitting out
and sending of such an expedition.
The expedition is alleged to have sailed
from Baltimore o the steamship Wood
all on July 9Th, 1895.
Samuel Holmes, a steamship broker
of New York, was the first witness. He
testified hat he had the WoOdall on
his books, but was notified by a Mr..
Smith and Captain Hudson that the
latter nae purchased the vessel.
James Woodall, Of the shipbuilding
firm of William E. Woodall & Son, of
this city. stated that he had sold the
steamship Woodall to Mr.. Hudson
for $13, 900. He identified Captain Hud-
son as the purchaser.
Captain Hudson was then called. He
detailed the negotiations entered into
in New York by Roloff, Luis and him
self for the purchase of a vessel for
filibustering purposes. He and Roloff
came to Baltimore and bought the
Woodall. After the purchase money
had been paid the captain stated that
they took on provisions enough to feed
100 men for more than a month, not
W~ithstanding his crew comprised only
fifteen men. He sailed from Baltimore
July 9, 1895, ROlOf being aboard and
shipping as one of the crew. The YES
sci was hove to off Harbor Key, Fla,
and several small boats approached.
h Woodall took or board from these
vessels 1873 men, most of whom were
dressed in the uniform of Cuban in
SurgentS. A lot of loose arms were put
aboard, including rifles and machetes,
as were also 600 pounds Of dynamite
n a lot of dynamite caps. Four days
after leaving the keys, the Woodall
landed the party and her cargo on the
santa Clara coast of Cuba
Captain Hudson detailed the move
mentS of the Woodall subsequent to the
successful landing of the expedition.
He proceeded to Progresso, Yucatan,
and sailed thence for New Orleans. ar
irving at the latter port on August 4.
1895. He found instructions awaiting
him to turn the vessel over to a Mr..
White, who took charge and paid off
"A0 eSO NAO SAt" "a "dS III
ulated in the agreement, each sailor
was given $50 extra as qualification
money" Hudson was not paid at New
Orleans. and went to New York after
considerable correspondence with Luis
and j. I. Smith, a ship broker of No.
159 South street, New York. According
to his agreement with the junta the
WOOdall was to be given to Hudson,
provided he successfully landed the
initial and two Or three subsequent ex-
petitions. AS a further reward for his
loyal services he was to be made a
commodore in the Cuban navy IF Cu-
ba Yer had a navy.'
| The junta, went back on Hudson
and refused to pay him the salary
agreed Upon. and his $500 ''gratifica-
ton money" should he relinquished all
his claim in the Woodall. He finally did
this, and the vessel was taken to New
York and sold for SIS, 900. He was then
| paid in full.