The evening times., 1898-09-29
SUBJECTED TO TORTURE
Hohenstine Refused to Salute
the Spanish Flag.
WAS A RED CROSS NURSE
Starved and Beaten I'm Cabanas
Prison for DenOuncinS the Blow
ing Up of the Maine-Generai But
Ter Secures the Release of the I'm
fortunate Man.


City OF Washington steamed out Of Ha-
Vana harbor Saturday under the guns of
Morro the 800 soldiers mounted on the
parapets of the famous old castle appear
ed to be waving with their hats sullen
farewell to some one on the deck The
object of their attention acknowledged
their demonstration by waving in the air
a stout stick menacingly and by crying
in a feeble voice with a strong German
flavor:
''You can go to h Hurrah for the
Stars and Stripes,''
Then he tainted. and a tobacco buyer
and reporter dashed water in his face
and chafed his hands.
His was a strange figure. tall but very
thin, the cheekbones of his face stand
ing out half an inch bare OF flesh, and
but sparely covered with skin, white and
ashen.
Wore the Red Cross Badge.
On the left sleeve of his blouse was
pinned the badge of the Red Cross,
which with the white flag of truce is
respected everywhere in the world.
When the reporter asked his name
and if there were anything he could do
for him, he bluntIy accused the news
paper man Of being a Spanish spy but
when satisfied of the latters identity he
apologized humbly.
The reporter learned that he had been
hoisted on board the ship three hours
before 1t sailed, and had long been a
prisoner in the Cabanas prison, in
which all the crimes of the Spanish In
QUESTION have been duplicated. The re
porter further learned that Gen. Butler,
of the American Commission, had Sc
cured his release.
On the passenger list the released pris-
oner was put down as Victor Hohen-
stine, professional nurse. On the follow
ing day, which was Sunday last Hohen-
stine said he felt 100 per cent better"
Il wish the captain would keep the
bandero Americana up all the time" he
sighed. I'm tired OF that Spanish flag ="
Refrained From Profanity.
Hohenstine then promised to refrain
from profanity and excitement and told
his story.
81 am of Saxony. I studied professional
nursing there. / came to the United
States eight years ago and settled at
Grand Island, Neb When the war broke
and went down to help 'em. l was with
Calixto Garcia for fourteen months. We
had many battles with the Spaniards
Last January / went North to New
York and Washington. The Red Cross
was getting ready to feed the starving
people of Cuba. i offered to help to nurse
the sick, and was accepted / went to
Tampa / was there when the Maine was
blown up. i went over to Havana to
join the Red Cross.
Spies were after me from the time /
left Garcia They followed me from his
camp to New York to Washington, to
Tampa, to Havana. They never left me.
They knew / was with the Cubans
Il landed in Havana; three hours later
I was arrested. They took me to the
city prison. They stole all my money.
all my property. They put me in cell
and gave me bad food. My friends did
not know l was arrested. They thought
I was dead. / lost track of the DAYS and
got sick. Thieves were put in the same
cell with me; the rats were awful l was
first told Of the war on May 2. An officer
came and told me and said l was to be
moved to the Cabanas.
Now, said he. will you salute the
Spanish flag?
wouldn't Salute the Spnnfsh Flag
-" No. / told him, will not Here
goes three cheers for the Stars and
Stripes He drew his sword and struck
me on the head. / fell unconscious. Then
was taken to Cabanas and put in Gala
boOse IS, with thieves.
THE food they gave US was not fit for
pigs.
lone day during the blockade, when We
had only dry bread, 1 complained and the
man in charge knocked me down. Then
the doctor came and said 1 was dying, so
they dragged me out Of the cell and sent
me to San Ambrosio Hospital, across the
bay. At San Ambrosio there was a bed
10 sleep in, that's all; the food was no
better and there was not enough of it.
Living for ReverEe.
@After the armistice was declared they
treated me better, but i was so weak l
didn't care whether lived or died. One
day I wrote a letter to the American
Commissioners and man in the hospital
sent IT to Gen. Butler God bless him,
The general sent Capt Page and the
captain gave me some money, but they
stole il at the hospital. Well, | don't
know, Gen. Butler got me out and paid
my way to New York
THE Spanish dogs tried to make me
sign paper Saying i UlQh DlaIne them
or the government, but flung the paper
in their faces.
81 do not know for what l was arrest
ed. They never told me. / am going to
try to get to Washington to ask the
President to help me. 1 have no money.
no friends. / may die, but am going 10
try to live 10 get revenge"
Hohenstine improved as the voyage
progressed. and when the ship got In yes
terday he was able to move about with
the assistance OF his cane He was sent
TO the Red Cross Hospital where he will
be cared for until he is fully recovered or
his friends and sympathizers send him to
his home.
DIR. Congosto OF the Spanish govern
ment at Cuba, who was a passenger on
the Washington, said Hohenstine was
arrested a few days after the blowing up
Of the Maine for denouncing the Spanish
Royernment in the streets of Havana