The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-10-05
TUMBLED INTO JAIL.
Railroad Accident the Undoing of an
American in Mexico.

Terre Haute, Oct. 5.-Henry Athey, a,
railroad engineer, who stopped here to
get transportation to indianapolis, is
just returning to his wife and children
from a prison in the City of Mexico,
where he was confined for eleven
months without being permitted to
communicate with the outside world.
He secured his release by managing
to slip note into the hands of an
American who was passing his cell. The
note was addressed to Governor Culber-
son of Texas, whom he knew.
Since his release he has received a
letter from the governor, in which the
latter says he has communicated with
the Washington authorities about the
200 other Americans in the prison with
a view to securing their release.
Athey was neither tried nor arraigned
he says, and this also is true of the 9TH
ers who are in the prison.
Athey was an engineer on the Indian
apOlis division of the Panhandle road
Tor ten years. but was let out during the
1884 strike, and, like other strikers, had
a hard time securing work. He ac-
cOrdingly went to Mexico, and was on
the Northern Mexican road when ar
rested. This is his story:
4 had worked on the road about eight
months, and was getting good wages.
Everything was strange to me at first
but I soon got used to it. had been
told by other American railroad men
employed by the road that if I ever in
jured one of the Mexicans 1 had better
get out of the country as quickly as my
engine would carry me.
The unlucSy moment came when one
day backed my engine over peon and
cut his leg and arm off. 1 did not pay
much attention to the matter as had
reported the accident to the authorities.
About midnight of the night that
the accident happened three Mexicans
climbed up on my engine and greeted
me. They were in citizens clothes, and
I did not suspect anything until all
three jumped on me and handcuffed me.
They hustled me off the engine and to
the prison, where 1 was kept in close
confinement for eleven months.
Il was almost starved to death. I
only had two meals day, which con-
sisted of two-thirds of a pint of stew
full of green pepper, which would burn
the mouth of a person who was not
used to it. With the stew was given
a cup of hot water to rinse it down.
IF 1 protested the prison officials
would order me prOdded with big pole,
which they stuck through the bars. No
bedding was allowed me and no clothing
was furnished. The clothes I had on
when arrested had fallen off me long
before I was liberated.
when placed in the prison I was CIV
en- no hearing and was not allowed to
write or send word to my wife or rela-
tives. I had a little money on me when
arrested. This was taken, besides my
watch and rings.
Il suffered considerably and was al
ways on the watch for opportunity to
make my confinement known to some of
the American authorities.
Finally, an American, who after
ward learned was from Fort Worth,
Texas, passed close to my cell and
slipped him a piece of paper, on which
were written a few words, and which
had prepared to notify Governor Gull
berson of Texas of my condition. He
must have carried out the orders, as I
was given my freedom a few days later.
when I left the prison I was naked,
with the exception of an old blouse that
was worn to threads. The guards took
me out at night and walked me about
four miles outside the city. I was then
ordered to get There was no railroad
in sight and I was compelled to walk
eighteen miles before reached a rail
way track.
Here some of the trainmen, who
were Americans, gave me clothing ard
I boarded a freight train for home.
Many of the engineers who get in trou-
BILE in Mexico cut their engines loose
and get away.
I'm the prison in which I was confined
there are at least 200 Americans, who
are being held for petty offenses, but
who have had no trial.