Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-01
A FUGITIVE FROM PRISON
Cuban Refugee Arrives in Washington in
Enfeebled Condition.
Committed to Asylum Hospital for
Treatment-Story of His Experi-
encc Told In Court.

Nicolas Carrtllo.. who claims to have es-
capped from the Spanish military prison in
Havana, was in the Police Court this
morning on a charge of vagrancy. The
mans condition showed that his expert
ence has been anything but the best dur
ing the past few months, and Judge Kim
tall. who realized his condition, committed
him to the Washington Asylum Hospital
for treatment. In SO doing a sentence OF
thirty days was imposed, with the under
standing that he will be released should
any of the Cuban sympathizers offer to
befriend him.
GARLIC is anxious to return to Cuba,
he says, but not If he has to land in Ha-
vana, where the Spaniards will get him.
His story is that he belongs to a family
Of Cubans which has done all in its power
to gain independence for the country, and
although wounded and subsequently ILL
treated in Spanish prisons, he is anxious
to return to his native country and shoulder
a musket or carry a machete.
According to his story he lived in Ha-
vana, where he left his wife and children
to fight for freedom and was made a SER
geant in the Cuban army, serving under
his uncle. Colonel Joan Carrillo. After
having engaged in a number of battles
his company went in the neighborhood OF
Matanzas and was In fight near that
place about seven months ago, where he
was captured. Several times. he says. his
company repulsed a larger force of Span
iards, but finally he became a prisoner.
When taken, he said. he WAS given a blow
on the head with musket, and he shows
an ugly scar as proof of the truth Of his
statement.
Complains of nl-Treatment.
Although so severely injured, and being
sick, he was thrown into filthy prison
and was poorly fed, bread and water be-
ing about all he was given.
Later he was transferred to Havana and
put in the fort. After being there some
time he was put in the kitchen to assist
the cock, and his duties also included the
care of horses. He devoted a large part Of
Els time planning his escape, which he
hrally accomplished, and then he secured
employment on a fruit boat, managing to
get on the boat without his identity being
discovered. When the boat landed in Bal
timore he planned to return to Cuba on q
hlibustering expedition, hoping to land
there among his friends. Being without
1ur DIS, having worked his passage here,
Carrillo started south, intending to tramp
to Florida, where he hoped he would be
able TO get boat that would land him
Where he could again take up arms for his
too much for him, but he managed to walk
here from Baltimore. On his way along
the railroad tracks he met some tramps,
and they led him to an outbuilding at the
w oSAhi6 LUZ DIiCA MdCnlhe company
yards. .
1t was about 8 o'clock when Sergt Wall
and Policemen O'Dea and Creagh went to
the building to make a raid The tramps
had got word Of the approach Of the Off
GERS. and they fed, leaving the Cuban
seated by the fire, making a pot of coffee.
He made no effort to get away, and, in
dsed, he said he felt relieved when he
reached the ninth police station, for the
interest taken In him soon convinced him
that he was in the hands of friends.
Police Station q Palace.
The police station, he said, was a palace
compared with the Cuban prisons and
after hearty meal he fell asleep and en-
joyed the best nights rest he had had
since the night before he was taken pris-
cner, about seven months ago. Garlic
speaks five languages. He is apparently
an intelligent man. and speaks the English
language fairly well.
When he appeared in Judge Kimbalrs
court this morning he told briefly the story
of bis sad experience.
THE weather here Is too cold for me-"
he said I'm sick, and would like to get
treatment --; ela t' 49,
Have you communicated with the Gu
bans here?" the court asked.
mo. sir" was his answer. I'm q
stranger"
Were you in the Cuban liberal army%
Yes. sir. and 1 want to go back"
Judge Kimball then made the order as
stated, and said he only imposed the SEN
tence as an act Of charity.