The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-07-10


Noted buildings In Havana Which
owe Their Existence to Strung e
Chapter in History.
From the Philadelphia Record.
Two buildings In Havana are said to be
without parallels in the world: the Tacon
theater and the Marti fish market. The
latter Is building some 200 feet long, the
roof supported by huge arches resting on
marble pillars and with a broad counter
of white marble extending the entire
length Of the structure one side is open
TO the street the other to the harbor The
history of those two buildings is strangely
connected.
Early in hte thirties the greatly-com-
mended and severely-c criticized Tacon
welded the Spanish power ON the Island
of Cuba, With great energy and a sense
of honor unusual with the incumbents OF
that position, he started out to correct
abuses from which the island suffered,
one Of the most fragrant of which was the
Wholesale smuggling carried on In the
port OF Havana under the very nose of the
naval port officials. The numerous bays
and finely protected harbors of the West
Indies afforded shelter for the swift craft
of the smugglers. The officers of the
Spanish fleet lying lazily in the harbor
were by day too sleepy and by night 100
busy enjoying their banauetlng and balls
to be useful in stopping this law-brcaking.
Tacon determined that stopped It should
be, and that at once. So he gave orders
tsnat the corvettes hoist sail and proceed
at once upon a search among the bays and
straits surrounding the island for the
haunts of the outlaws. Meantime a strong
secret detective force was organized on
shore.
-Four months had passed and in spite Of
these vigorous efforts not the least abate-
ment OF the evil could be detected. Tacon
was only wiser to the extent of having
learned that the smugglers were led by a
bold, daring fellow called Marti.
high reward was offered to the person
who would deliver MART, dead or alive, at
the governors palace. And sdll the Span
ish fleet searched the coast day and night
and the secret detective force patroled the
land without ceasing. No smuggler had
been detected In the act and not vessel
could be caught in hiding
The king of the Isle of Pines, keenly
watchful as ever, knew every move made
by the Spanish governor, yet lived on Sc
cure IN his retreat in his smugglers para
disc, when he cared to stay there, and no
less secure in threading his winding way
through the thousands of little passages OF
the Antilles, even extending his voyages
TO Florida and South Carolina.
BY trade he was supposed TO be a fish
erman, and might often have been seen
on one of the million little smacks that
piled between Yucatan Florida ana
Havana. His ability to adapt himself to
any character in which he wished 10 mas
querade permitted his frequent undetected
visits among the government officials by
which means he kept himself Informed of
every detail in the plans against himself
and his followers.
One cloudy evening, near midnight, tail
figure, wrapped in a military cloak, lurke,l
in the shadow of The gate-post at the
governors palace. Two sentries paced TO
ald fro starting at either side and meet
ing face TO face some rods back of the cen
ter 10 the entry, then turning and retrac-
ing their steps. For a single instant as
they met their eyes left the gate ungaurd-
ed The silent observer behind the post
waited for the moment, then slipped noise
lessy inside the gate and hid In the shad-
ow there Carefully and deftly stealing
his way, aided by the shadows of the
wall he reached the marble steps. Here
emerging. he assumed the carriage of a
military man In authority, and was sa-
luted in proper form by the sentinels,
whom he passed unsupported Ascending
the broad marble stairway, he entered the
apartment of the governor whom he
found writing at table.
Looking up with contracted brows, Ia
con demanded who enters here unan-
nounced and at this hour|'
Giving the military salute the stranger
replied: "Excellency, | am here on bust
ness of great Importance to the govern
ment"
How came you past the guard?" &C.
manded the Governor.
"Never mind that, excelency, +"
"But do mind very much" interrupted
the Governor growing impatient But the
willy visitor made such judicious, calm re-
ply as to ward off further explanation and
TO excite the Governors greater desire TO
know his real business, he recalled to the
Governors mind, and succeeded in gaining
confirmation from his own lips then and
there that he had not only offered free
pardon 10 any one who would turn states
evidence and reveal the haunts and doings
Of the contrabandists, but that he had Of
fered a large reward for any Information
whatever concerning them, and had ser
double on the head of this strange person
alive, further, that TO this strange person
he would fulfil all these promises If he
furnished the information and person de-
sired.
The stranger conducted the conversation
so guardedly that he gave no clue to his
own identity until having bound the Gov
ernor tight on his honor as a knight, he
announced himself as Capt Marti," ready
TO fulfll to the letter his part of the
contract.
The Governor, having suspected that he
was dealing with a member OF the band,
was more or less startled at this amazing
announcement. Unconsciously ne reached
for his pistols. MART, noticing this, took
his own from his clothing, and, laying
them on the table, said: "Henceforth l
have no use for these. Hereafter it Is to
be diplomacy
Tacon found himself In the ridiculous
pos ton of having granted n free pardon
10 the man upon whose head he himself
had set a goodiy price.
The exchange Of a few more words
brought about the understanding between
the two that Martl should be placed in
confinement over night, his name conceal
ed, and that in the morning he should