The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-11-26
INDIGNITIES in COLOMBIA.

Outrage Committed on an American clti-
Etn-H haa Placed his Case In the Hands
of MInIsteT Hart-SusA the United States
of Colombia for S25. 600 Damaros.
NJ w., rt...,caoraa ~ cobINar
W" AUA HN y
an american CITIZEN a naive OF Buzz
falo, arrived here yesterday on the
Atlas line Auerhany with
ss,--.rs a. n'h,oS =. 40.
"a s'o'S U i"ulsha''oh W "n'e" "e "a'
subjected in Colombia, ana for which
he has lodged with the United States
minia,or M Rogo,o a claim for COZ OoO
$3.50,
uamages against Vhe COLOMBIAN soV-
ernment.
Mr. schIffer went IN roIombta I'm Nav
To-. - ..a-.. H.
'ast 10 oecome superintendent Vi ue
gold mines OF the Purno Mining Com
pany, near Honda, owned principally
by Berlin capitalists. The company
has a capital stock of SC, 1000, 900, and 200
men are employed at the mines. There
is a store. II appears from
Mr.. Schihfer's statement that his
troubles were due principally to the
Alcalde. a personage OF great local
power but small salary. who depends
upon peroulsItes for Increase Of income.
and these he receives in the shape OF
presents from those Who would enjoy
his favor and avoid his enmIty.
Mr. Schiller said that hls predecessor
saw the AIealde IN Inc sense that the
New York pantatas We're seen. as elic-
tied by the Lexow investigation. Mr..
schiner failed to take this precautIon.
Among the things sold In the COM
paws store was %auuadiente, q sort of
whisky prepared from sugar, favored
with anise, an article Of extensive use
in the South American republic. The,
supply was purchased at Victoria,
Twenty-Five miles distant.
A law previously applied but laxly
provided that the wholesaler should
give to the retailer a certain certificate
for each gallAn sold. these certificates
to be surrendered / IN turn to govern
ment Inspectors. Mr.. Schiller received
no such certificate from the wholesaler,
and the Alcalde's men were soon on his
track. The law had become suddenly
operative. The stock was seized. Then
at Z a. M, October rs, Mr.. Schiller re-
ceIyed this summons:
"You, George Schiller, are herewith
commanded to appear before me. the
Alcalde of Victoria, at s a. m. II not
at the Acadia (court house, at s a.
IN. | fine you $50, and II not paid at once
| shall put you to work at the public
works"
The roads were bad, It being the rainy
season, but Mr.. Schlffer with an inter-
prefer set Off on his twenty-iye-mlle
! Journey, which must be accomplished In
one hour. 1t was noon before he
reached the court house. The Alcalde
fined him 800.
The whole proceeding was illegal.
The law provides forla preliminary no.
tIce: II a second notice is ignored a fine
OF IS may be imposed: II a third. a fine
Of $40, and II a fourth notice is ignored,
an armed guard is to be sent. !
Mr.. Schiffer's second experience be-
gan on the morning OF October GO. The
rain was pouring, the roads were in
bad shape and he was III with fever.
Again he started for Victoria to obey
a Becoming very III, he gave
up the trip, and, returning TO the mines,
he took medicine and went to bed.
Tossing about feverlshly at 1880
o'clock that night. he was startled by
the tramp OF men without, who shout
ed that he was to come out and follow
them. There were nine OF them, armed.
They were from the Alcalde.
~ knew 1 could not endure the Jour-
ney afoot or on horseback" said Mr..
Schiller. 81 was weak. and to go out
meant 10 be dr~enched-the worst thing
for one In fever. They would not let
me gel nv horse, and IL was too dark
for my man TO And the horse In the
pasture. AT n rate. / refused. When
/ feund they were going TO batter In
my door. / got my winchester and sent
Mr.. McIilrlch and MIR stuart. who were
with me out 10 talk to the men. who
we're duly informed that they would
breok inio NV apartments al their
nerlIn
The armed puord waited outside I'M
mornlng. and then. tvIny n halter about
Mr. schiner and refusing 10 hermit him
To- ride, they led him afoot over the