Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-06-22


Jacksonville are among the best men II
| the ci;y--rnen who would be welcomed if
any community as valuable additions u
society. There are others In humber
spheres--chiefiy cigarmakers-wno at
honorable and law-abiding-as GOOD GU
gems an can be found.
Americans frequently crtucise these
men who remain at home while the young
men Of the United States are preparing
to fight their battles for them. Ihere are
many in Jacksonville who have no
thought of entering the army.
But n little investigation reveals the
fact that there are really good reasons
why many OF these Cubans should NOT
take the field. The great majority OF
them are cigarmakers. Ever since .ney
were boys they have been engaged In TINS
sedentary occupation, and they claim IL
has entirely untitled them for marchihs'
which appears reasonable. a.,
The Dispatch correspondent mas uls
covered, however, that almost "Itnou1
execution these men have, ever since the
inception OF the rebellion, regularly con
trIbuted a percentage OF their income W
tho natrlotic cause-in several Instances
as much as one-third. 49,,
Rut large numbers OF the young Cupans
OF Jacksonville are with Gomez anu
have been for a long time. ana many u
them have fallen in the struggle 10.
liberty. Mr.. Henri Huau, one OF the pest
known Cubdns here, man whoH eEeiS
body honoTs and respects, mas sunereu
the sorrow OF having all OF MS suns
killed by the Spaniards, save one. quite
naturally, the old father was opposeu
To having this last one enter the army,
feeling that he wanted to save some-
thing from the wreck OF his happiness
bod
time successful in keeping his last son
with him, but only few weeks ago the'
young fellow. unable to longer stand the
restraint, slipped away, and Is now III
Cuba fighting in the ranks or the army
of liberation. Those who know Mr.
Huau most intimately say he Is In
constant expectation of hearing OF the
death OF his son, so constantly has an
evil fate overshadowed his family.
a little over a year ago Miss Cato,
a niece of Mr.. Huau, and one Of the most
beautiful girls in Jacksonville, was shot
down as she entered her suburban home
at nightfall. and her body was riddled
with bullets. a young man who had
been her accepted lover since their child
hood was arrested and tried for the
crime, but was acquitted. There are hum
dreds here who believe the girl was the
victim of some feud originating in Cuba
years ago.
Mr.. Luau is a wealthy tobacconst,
and as soon as the troops began to ar
rive here he commenced caring for them,
and his store, which Is in one OF the
most prominent locations in the business
portion of the city, is about as nearly
headquarters for the rank and file as any
place outside of camp. Every day he
gives away to the boys quantities Of
smoking and chewing tobacco, and. as
may be imagined. is extremely popular
with them.
The stories Of Spanish cruelty which one
can hear from these dark-skined natives
OF the struggling Queen of the Antilles,
told with all the southern passion Of ex-
preston, take on horror which they do
not possess when put in cold type and
read in the home circle. One who hears
them loses forever what little of sympa-
thy he may have had left for Spain, who
is to so soon experience terrible retribu-
ton, though the worst she can suffer
will not be sufficient punishment for her
barbarisms in Cuba.
The Cuban ladies here have taken great
interest in the soldiers at Camp Cuba
Libre, and frequently visit them. Private
Harry Wrenn, of Norfolk, who is a MEM
Der of Company a, Fourth Regiment, and
Messrs. Sturdivant and Harrison. Of the
same regiment, were recently entertained
in an elegant manner by the Misses Del
Montez. Nunas. Fritot, and Murrey, all
native Cuban girls. Mr.. Wrenn was one
of the privates invited to bring a certain
number of his friends in the Fourth Viz
GINA To a german given by Jacksonville
ladies at the armory, and 1t was there
that the acquaintance were made. He
discovered that brother OF Miss Fritot's
was an intimate friend of his, the two
having attended the same school in North
Carolina. Young Fritot is now a lieu
tenant on the staff Of General Nunalles,
OF the Cuban army.