The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-02-14
WHY HE IS AN OUTLAW.

L 1OunQ MIN rather dNSTSc " s1Ily us
oussion of his past life. Only once did
he refer to it in connection with the
cause OF Cuban liberty. Il am an out
( law" he said, because 1 have, and
will, fight Spanish law as long as L
live.
"They call me a bandit, too. Well,
perhaps l am that also. 1t is true tnat L
have robbed Spaniards of their ill-got-
ten money, but it was for the benefit of
the revolution. 1 have never pro1ted
by it myself Delegate Palma will tell
you that l sent $4,000 to the treasury
Of the Cuban legation in New York,
with which to purchase arms and am
munition. have never stolen dollar
in my life. 1 have simply levied upon
wealthy Spanish residents IN order 10
increase the revolutionary fund. In
the beginning of the war l approprlat-
ed few hundred rifles from the en-
emy's arsenal, but we needed them in
the cause OF liberty"
From one of Mirabal's staff 1 learned
q great deal of his early life. he was
born in Santa Clara province, the son
of d wealthy planter, about 10 years
ago. He was very much OF a faVorlte In
society, AID always noted Tor his eX-
uuisite taste and courteous manners.
ais brother, a cuick-temDered and
rather reckless fellow, became involved
in a quarrel, shot and killed his oppo-
nent. There were no witnesses to the
deed, AID the victim lived just long
enough to proclaim Mirabal as his
slayer, but did not say which M1rabal.
Nicasio hurried to his brothers house
and offered to take his place. You have
a wife and children" he said. You
must provide Tor and protect them.
You cannot afford to fly. L have no
one l fired the shot, understand. Don't
you dare deny it. AdioS: God bless
you" and off he rode, an innocent tugl-
tive from justice, with price of $4,000
on his head. His flight proved his guilt
to the satisfaction of the law, and all
the guardia civillia of Santa Clara were
sent in pursuit. Some, who for sake or
reward, pressed him too hard, never
lived TO come back, and thus commence
ed Mirabals life as a bandit and out
law.
Many are the stories told of him in
Cuba. One Will illustrate: Morning
found him near the city of Sanctus Es-
piritu, with two mounted companions
and with quite an appetite for break
fast Riding up to the gateway of an
humble farmhouse, Mirabal dismount-
ed and asked the old man who stood IN
the door - 1t would be convenient for
him to have a little breakfast prepared
for himseiE and companions.
My wife is dead. l am alone" the Old
man replied, but you are welcome. 1
will DO the best l can for you
Indeed" said AIiraoal, 7 am sorry.
Let me help you make the coffee, and
he did so. During the meal which lGl-
lowed, Mir;.bal remarked upon the
beauty of two oxen yoked in tns NaTd
- hey are fine pair and ought 70 De
profitable 20 YOU"
They might if they were mine, the
old man replied, but they belong TO
!. hill = hove
us. I have TO pay him g day for the
use of them.
Too bad. you viii never get rich in
that way. What does your neiShboT ask
for the oXen?"
Five hundred dollars is the price, 1
believe"
Well" remarked Mirabal, Il am a
stranger 20 you, but 1 am going to
make you a present of the animals y
And so saying he counted out $500 in
gold. handed il to the astonished man,
and requested one of his companions 70
accompany their host to the house of
the wealthy Spaniard on the hill. Buy
the oxen and bring back a receipt for
the money" was his injunction. The
trade was consummated, and the re
ceipt brought back, which 8lirabal took,
and, lifting his hat to his host, rode
away.
Proceeding Immediately to the house
on the hill he produced the receipt and
thus addressed the writer OF il: You
VIII pardon me; my name is Mirabal. l
have with me proof that you have just
been paid $500 in gold. 1 don't wish to
inconvenience you, but l must. have
that amount of money at once. / need
it very badly. I will give you a receipt
for the amount If you wish But the
planter did not want any receipt. The
mention of Aiirabal's name and the pc