New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-13
MONTESI CLOSELY GUARDED.
THE COMPANION OF THE ALLEGED
SPANISH SPY RELEASED.
OFFICIALS RETIcENT ABOUT THE MAN WHO WAS
TAKEN FROM AN OUTGOING STEAMSHIP
SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES AT


TAKEN FROM AN OUTGOING STEAMSHIP
SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES At
TENDING HIS SAILING
Eduardo Montesi who was arrested on board
the Prince Line steamship Tartar Prince on
Saturday afternoon the vessel was beginning
her voyage to Southern Europe. is stu confined
in cell In Castle William. on Governors ISL
and. II Is supposed that the man is Spanish
spy. or at any rate. in the employ Of the Span
ish authorities.
The greatest secrecy is observed at Gov
errors Island about the affair both by the
Off GERS Of the United States Secret Service who
are IN charge Of the prisoner and by the MILL
tary officials Of the island. That the capture
is regarded most important che Is evil
dent by the closeness with which the prisoner
is guarded and the refusal OF the officials TO
make public the nature Of the papers found in
his baggage. II is admitted that these are
important, but further than this the Govern
ment officials will not go. There many
letters addressed 10 persons In Spain All these
were translated by Secret Service officers yes
terday. and the originals and translatons Will
be forwarded 10 the Secret Service Bureau at
Washington. Chief Wikie Of the Secret Ser
vice was in communication with the officers IN
this city yesterday. but the latter refused 70
say what instructions had been received. II is
supposed that Montesi will be taken to Wash
inCton either to-day or tomorrow.
The crippled Spaniard who was arrested
with Montes was set free late on Saturday
night, as Montesis wife and two daugh-
ters with his uncle and two servants. who were
ell travelling with him. The technical charge
upon which the is held is that OF violation
Of the postal laws. OF the letters addressed 10
persons in Spain which were found In his
/ 4. 10 n
dressed 10 Spanish Government officials. but
that something OF ar important nature has
been found in addition TO the letters seems GER
tain. The letters themselves may have been
carried by the prisoner with innocent motives,
as he is a steamship ticket broker In Brooklyn.
and II is known that the majority OF his Gus
toners have been Italians and Spaniards. He
protests vigorously against his detention. and
declares that the letters were being carried in
order 10 oblige a friend. In his baggage was
box containing about $1,000 in gold, most OF
It in coin Of this country. Another box was
null Of old copper coins
The officers also opened the baggage OF Mrs.
Montesi and her children but found nothing OF
a contraband nature In one OF the trunks
number OF handkerchiefs embroidered
with American and Cuban flags. The two IT.
tie girls also wore American flags pinned upon
their gowns.
JEALOUS OF HIS THRIFT.
Nothing else was talked Of yesterday by the
people on Red Hook Poin: and in the neghbor-
hood OF Hamilton Ferry. Brooklyn. except the
arrest OF Montes by the Government officials.
who suspected him OF being a Spanish spy. The
I man is we'll known in that district. where he
has lived for twenty years. Every one was dis
cussing his probable fate. and some Of the ig-
.kDo. ko ka7
been shot.
Nontesi was thrifty shrewd and frugal and
almost all Of the people were Jealous OF him
He is said TO be an Austrian. but he had al
ways passed as an italian. The large hotel
which he owns at Hamlton-ave and Union-st.
is by far the largest building OF it's sort In that
part Of the city. Several months ago Montesi
refused to sell It FOR $4,000 on account OF his
wealth he mixed little with the other people IN
| the ne!ghborhood unless there was chance
| TO make some money. For this reason the gen
/ eral sentiment is Of indifference as 20 the capt
ured mans fate.
WELL KNOWN TO sPANIARDs.
II seems that for years he has had a business
acquaintance with many OF the Spanish as well
as the Italian immigrants. He kept. until re-
gently q cigar store In his hotel building, but
he had accumulated the most OF his fortune
as an agent for immigrants He would visit the
! the confidence Of the passengers would sell them
al! sorts Of things at large prices. In New
Bedford and Nantucket he would be called a
land shark
He did q large business as ticket-broker.
Since the war broke out IL Is said, he has been
busy in sending Spaniards out Of the country;
Montesi would get their tickets FOR them anc
arrange for them 20 leave az Italians, with inc
parties % that nationality that are continually
sailing for Mediterranean ports.
LEAVING A PROSPEROUS BUSINESS.
II is thought that the Government Secret
Service Bureau discovered this. and has since
been keeping close watch on Montesis move
rnents When for apparent reason he made
preparations to leave the country it was decided
10 intercept him. Those who know him hnd
little trouble in believing the assertion that his
object in leaving Brooklyn was 10 avoid a col
lslon with the Federal authorities. They say
that his one object seemed 70 be 10 make money
that he was doing prosperous business, and
that Il is no. likely he would have given
Il UP unless he saw a chance for some other
venture which would be more profitable. His
wide acquaintance with Spaniards in this coun
try would make IL easy TO believe that he might
be selected for such a mission as that OF "hich
he is suspected. 1t might nave been reasoned
that as he was Austrian there would be 1t
lie trouble in his leaving the country unmo'
Tested.
About a week ago he closed his store In tbs
hotel building. All the goods were moved 10 the
brick house at No. 125 Coffeyst. This house IS
also owned by Mon;esi. His wife and child were
there yesterday, 1t is said, although al the house
all knowledge OF them was denied.
Montesi has generally been known as
peaceable man. although II is said that at one
time he attempted to shoot one OF his brothers
In a quarrel. he has two brothers. Antonio
who formerly lived in Furman-st. Brooklyn. and
Romeo who lives in HOboken
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