The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-06-09
A SPY IN PORTO RICO.
Thrilling Experience of Edward Emer-
son, an Attache of the War
Department

New York, June 9.-Edward Emerson,
Jr, an attache of the war department bu-
reau of information, has arrived here on
board the steamer Madiana, from St.
Thomas after having performed some
hazardous service and undergoing some
thrilling experiences in Porto Rico. Trans
forming his name into Emerssohn, he
went to San Juan ostensiblv as CORE
spondent Of the BerIin Deutscier Zeitung.
AT San juan, said Mr.. Emerson, they
TGft4 ni NOR Would {Rey aii6W
spondent. Haistead. Who is held in prison
~ =. So - = 49,, a. 70 20 IL +I,.o,7et
The war department, I may say, need
have no fears of difficulty in taking San
Juan whenever the attempt is made. While
1 could not see that any great damage
the Notifications are in such shape that
they offer almost no resistance.
Il succeeded in penetrating to the ex-
act center of the island, to a place called
and the alcalde was not altogether salts
fed with their regularity 1 said that
had been employed I;6 as the 4oerseer Of
situated beyond that place, but I was
said he would have to Communicate with
was all right.
- How long will that take? inquired.
81 1t may take two or three weeks he
replied. We will have an answer by the
was not a cheerful prospect, especially
as 1 feared that my identity had been dis
to the German consul and also offered to
pay for telegram to the governor of San
Juan. This gave~me little better stand
ing with the alcalde, and 1 was allowed
a measure of liberty.
1T was on May ., when walked some
distance from the prison at noon and
found a number of horses standing out
taking their monday meal and apprOprf-
ated the best horse I could find and de-
the west but as that seemed dangerous I
vent in an opposite direction riding horse
1T was then that / met shepherd boy
and offered him jacknife if he would
draw me map of the surrounding coun-
try. From that grew the published state
ment that q foreigner had compelled
boy to draw a map under threat of slit
ting his throat. That map l have now
in my possession for the war department,
and l found it correct in every detail
when I rode again to the east crossed
a range of hills, to find the entire eastern
end of the island in the possession of the
me and gave me an escort to the coast,
where I found a small schooner at anchor.
Though this schooner belonged to a
Spaniard, the captain was prevailed upon
of land on May % when warship hove in
sight that we took for an American. Our
captain-was greatly excited and began to
pray, until 1 discovered that the stranger
flew the Spanish flag. 1t proved to be
the torpedo boat destroyer Terror.
She steamed up alongside and an Of
a sailor and had taken a position at the
masthead After an examination OF the
for Santa Cruz. There I boarded the Ma
diana and found a number of newspaper
correspondents and artists aboard.
The Spanish alcalde had sent a tele-
gram to the Danish authorities to hold me
upon upon arrival TE las as horsethief; Major 10
Thomas, positively refused to surrender
me, and even took me in boat himself
When Emerson left San Juan he saw
four Spanish war vessels in the harbor-
the Isabella Ill, Alicante, ConchO and
Terror.