Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1897-10-21
MISS CISNEROS FREE.
The Cuban Girl Escapes from q
Spanish Prison.
II Landed Safe on American Soil
Story of Her Wonderful De1fv-
erance-Her Guards Out
witted.

New York, Oct. 14.-Evangelina Cos
sio Cisneros, who recently escaped
from Spanish prison in Cuba, was a
passenger on the Ward line steamer
Seneca, which arrived Wednesday from
Havana. At quarantine Miss Cisneros
asked to be excused from say
ing anything about her impris-
onment and escape, as she has not yet
recovered from seasickness, from which
she had suffered the entire passage,
and which kept her in her stateroom
during the whole voyage. On the
passenger list she was registered as
Miss Juana Sofa. She was travelling
under the care of gentleman who ac-
companied her from Havana.
Most Daring Feat.
Miss Cisneros' escape and safe arrival
on the Seneca was one of the most dar-
ing feats ever attempted and success
fully carried out.
While she was still in prison her
friends secured a passport for one
Juan Sofa, and state room No. 3 on the
Seneca was held in the same name. This
was three days before the boat sailed.
On the Saturday when the Seneca was
to leave Havana detectives watched her
gangways with extra caution. All day
long they remained at their post, exam
lining the passports which all passengers
have to show before leaving Havana.
Their vigilance would probably have
prevented the departure of Miss Cis-
Teros from Cuba, had it not been for a
little refreshment which was served to
them by friends of Miss Cisneros, who
were aboard the Seneca. The refresh
ments included wine. The chief of
police of Havana came aboard while the
refreshment part of the plot was in
progress and it is alleged that he too
fell victim of the wiles of the Cisneros
faction.
Disguised in Male Attire.
A few minutes before the Seneca was
ready to pull out from her dock a slim
young fellow came running across the
wharf. He had no baggage and was
fashionably dressed. He walked quick
ly up the gang plank. The detectives
stopped him. "My name is Juan Sola,"
he said, and he showed his passport.
Everything was satisfactory, so the
senior was allowed to go aboard. 1t is
said that if it had not been for the wine,
the strange treble and rather curious
figure of Senior Sofa might have ex-
cited the suspicious of the Spanish de-
tectives. But the scheme worked sue
cessfully. Miss Cisneros' friends, when
they saw that everything was satisfac-
tory, 'disembarked and watched the
ship pull slowly out under the frown-
ing Spanish guns, carrying the fugi-
tive to safety under the Stars and
Stripes.
Miss Cisneros did not court danger
any more than was necessary, and at
once went to her cabin. The next day,
however, when Moro castle was left far
behind, she appeared on deck, trans
formed into Senorita Juana Sofa, alias
Cossio y Cisneros, and dressed in be-
coming red gown.
Miss Cisneros was given some arti-
cles of feminine wearing apparel by the
stewardess of the Seneca.
Adopts America as Her Home:
New York, Oct. 16.-Evangelina Cossio
y Cisneros has adopted this country as
her home. She entered her declaration
OF intention to become citizen of the
United States Friday afternoon. Under
the terms of her oath she has renowned
all allegiance to Spain.
More Cuban Girls Imprisoned.
Havana, Oct. 16. The police of
Guines, this province, have arrested and
imprisoned Senorita Blanca Ortega, a
young woman of distinguished family,
and Senorita Virginia Castillanos. They
are both charged with conspiring
against the government.