The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-10-14
THE STORY OF HER ESCAPE
HOW THE SPANISH DETECTIVES
WE'RE SKILFULLY ELUDBD.
SHE CAME ON THE STEAMER SENECA
A Youth, Juan SoIa, Boarded the Steamer at
Havana But Later This Youth Proved
to be None Other Than
Senorita CiSneros.

New York, Oct. 13.-Eyangelina Co
sio Cisneros, who recently escaped from
a Spanish prison in Cuba, was pas
senger on the Ward line steamer Sen
eca, which arrived today from Havana.
At quarantine Miss Cisneros asked to
be excused from saying anything about
her imprisonment and escape, as she
had not yet recovered from sea sick
ness. On the passenger list she was re-
gistered as Miss Juana Sola. She was
travelling under the care of a gentle
man who accompanied her from Ha-
vana. When the Seneca reached quar-
antine the towboat j. Fred Lohman,
with several newspaper representatives
and four women, went alongside the
steamer and after the health officer
inspection was over they went on board
and accompanied Miss Cisneros to this
city.
Immediately upon landing the party
took carriages to the Waldorf, and
were assigned to rooms on the second
foor. While Senorita Cisneros was IA
tigued, she appeared to be in the very
best of spirits and exultant over her ar
rival in America. She does not speak
English, but her face is very expressive
and she seemed to intuitiveiy understand
the questions put to her and answered
in Spanish. The Senorita retired as soon
as she reached the hotel, and refused to
be seen. Among her party was Mrs. J.
Ellen Foster, of Washington, president
Of the National Woman's Republican as
sociation.
Miss Cisneros escape and safe arrival
en- the Seneca was one of the most dar-
ing feats ever attempted and successfully
carried out While she was still in pris-
On her friends secured passport for one
Juan Sola, and stateroom No. 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 watcher her
sangways with extra precaution. 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 Cs-
neros 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 re-
freshment included wine. The chief of
police of Havana came aboard while the
refreshment part of the plot was in pro-
gress, and it is alleged that he too fell
a victim of the wiles of the Cisneros
faction.
A few minutes before the Seneca was
ready to pull out from her dock, slim
young fellow came running across the
wharf He had no baggage, and was
fashionably dressed. He walked 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
90 ON board. 1t is said that if it had not
been for the wine, the strange tremble
and rather curious figure of Senor Sola
might have excited the suspicious Of the
Spanish detectives. But the scheme
worked successfully. Miss Cisneros's
friends, when they saw that everything
was satisfied, disembarked and watched
the ship pull slowly out under the
frowning Spanish guns, carrying the fu-
sitiye 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 Sola, alias
Cosio Cisneros, and dressed in a becom-
ing red gown.
Capt. Stevens, commander of the Sem
eca, was angry when he discussed the
Cisneros incident with the report4ls. He
said
"Since the commencement of ehe pres
ent insurrectiOn it has been the custom
of the Spanish authorities TO post n coll-
pie of detectives at the head of the gang
way of ships lying at Havana. We ar
rived at a. m. on Saturday and left at
8 D. m., during which time the detectives
did not leave the head of the gang
plank. Just before the Seneca sailed, the
chief of police, his deputy and his secre-
tary came aboard. Senorita Cisneros
had escaped two days previously and
yet they asked no questions and made
no search for her, although upon three
former occasions, they had searched the
Seneca from stem to stern and keel to
promenade deck while loking for sus-
pects."
Can't. Stevens said that to the best of
his knowledge the only persons who
went aboard at Havana were the Lastie |
family, the Del Real family and a man
whose name appeared upon the advance
passenger list as Juan Sola. and who |
must have had a passport, otherwise he
could not have gone aboard. When it |
was discovered that Juan Sola was a |
girl, the Juan was changed to Juana,
and Miss Cisneros came in under that |
name.
Miss Cisneros was given some articles /