St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-09-10
Cuban Insurgent Visits Burlington.

A recent issue Of the Burlington Free
Press contained the following inter-
view with Capt. Pearson, who returned
few months ago from the Cuban war:
Capt. Pearson is handsome fellow, of
SPLENDID physique and is SCARED in
many places. He carries with him the
Cuban knife, machete, his revolver,
cartridge belt and other instruments OF
of war fare. He is now taking a pleas
ure trip and is on his way to Montreal.
His six leet of manhood thrilled with
enthusiasm as he talked of the contest
that the insurgents are making. and his
Indignation as he spoke of the atrocities
of the Spanish soldiers was bitter. He
was born in England 81 years ago, and
prior to coming to this country in
1888 he served in the English army, TAX
ing part in the South African campaign
in 1879 and in the Egyptian campaign
in 1882. lie was wounded in the latter
campaign, and was honorably discharged
from the English army on account OF
his wounds. He took up his residence in
New York on arriving in this country,
and he is well known in that city, having
been detective in the police department
for several years before his sympathy
for the Cubans was aroused. He is
military engineer by profession, and he
began his work in Cuba as instructor of
the engineering corps. He went to the
island in February OF last year, and was
with Gen Maceo and Gomez Tor time.
He crossed the trocha with the former
and the great Cuban leader had him APP
pointed an officer of the Cuban army
under Gen. Augurre.
He was made commander OF the third
squadron of the I'd regiment of cavalry,
and operated with Gen. Maceo in the
Pinar del Rio district He saw con-
siderable active service in fighting the
Spaniards, and bears substantial
mementoes of the way they treat the
insurgents when they get close enough
to do any harm. An ugly looking
wound on the thumb OF his right hand
attracted the attention of the reporter.
and he spoke OF it. The captain smiled
when the cut was referred to and said
"Oh, that's only Spaniard's receipt
Tor drink" He then went on to tell
how a wounded soldier asked him for a
drink after one of the skirmishes in
which he was participant toward the
the end of last fall, and after he gave the
fellow the drink, the ungrateul man
pulled stilletto from some place of con,
cealment and attempted to stab him in the
stomach. He saw the move in time to
ward off the blow, but the weapon
struck his thumb with such force that
it went clear through and the point Of
the knife entered his hand between the
first and second fingers. The wound is
not yet entirely healed, aud its ragged
edges showed plainly. The captains
head looks something like a war map,
with the numerous cuts it has received,
I some of them not yet healed.
He was taken prisoner by the Span.
ish soldiers last December and on De-
cember II was sentenced to death. He
was taken out with party of English
men, Americans and Cubans to pay the
death penalty on December 10, when
orders were received from Gen. Weyler to
release all but the Cubans. This action
was due to the intervention of the
British consul who had been com.
municated with in secret manner, and
who informed Weyl,r that he would ex.
ecute the Englshmen and the Americans
at his peril. Although these nine men
were released from paying the death
penalty, the dozen Cubans who were left
were forced to kneel with their backs to
the Spaniards and then shot down like
dogs. One brave young fellow refused to
kneel and asked to be shot with his face
toward his executors, and he had his