The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-04-06
vARQUEz IN SELMA.
Former President of Guatemala Fol-
lowed by Spy.

Selma, March 5.-(Special. )-For two
weeks observant Selmians may have no.
ticed a distingue looking gentleman with
grey mustache and hair, apparently about
45 years old, our streets. Some few have
remarked on him and inquired who he was,
but no one could answer He usually wore
a dark suit of clothes with a white Fedora
hat and habitually carried an umbrella.
Around this individual is clustered his
tory that If all were known would read
like romance, and his experiences go to
make up the history Of one of the states
in Central America-Guatemala-
On Thursday, March %, he came to Sell
ma from Mobile and registered at the Hotel
Albert as D. Velez, Peru. His demeanor
while here has been the most unobtrusiye,
and barring three or four men, his ac-
quaintanceship has extended no further.
Velez is not his right name, for he is no
other than General Varquez, who in the
years prior to 1893 was president of the
Guatemalaian republic. While visiting the
Worlds fair in this country in that year
one of those revolutions which change the
rulers and policy of the Central American
republics in a single day, occurred, and
when General Varquez returned he found
himself ousted from power.
Since that time he has had but one pur-
pose in view, and that is to once again
control the destines of his country. He is a
Spaniard by BIRTH and possessed of the
highest education. Those who know him
speak of him a wonderfully bright man
and an interesting character In many re-
spects.
His presence in Selma for the past two
&c.,
from his track spys of the Guatemalian
government that were logging his steps in
Mobile
Readers of the daily papers will remem-
Der an account month or so ago of a
filibustering expedition that was to start
from New Orleans, but failed. The purpose
of that expedition, had the hopes of it's pro-
ectors been realized, was to reinstate Gen.
sral Varquez at the head of the Guate-
nalan government. 1t failed, owing to the
assininity of railroad manager in Guate-
mala to whom several carloads of arms
had been shipped marked agricultural i'm
Elements" The railroad manager, who is
A warm sympathizer OF Varquez, rejoiced
at the apparent success of the scheme,
drank too much one night and gave the
whole plot away.
The guns were seized by the government
and about a dozen Of the advance guard
of the expedition, VINO had ALREADY landed,
were given only few hours to leave the
country. The arms were shipped by firm
In Mobile, while the man who were to use
them were to start from New Orleans
Since the failure every move that General
Varquez has made has been watched by
the secret agents of Guatemala. His pres
encc in Selma became known to them In
some way, and Friday or Saturday of last
week a stranger reached here from New
Orleans and has Swallowed every move the
general made. This spy event went so far
as to step in the telegraph Office after Gen.
eral Varquez had come out, having sent a
telegram, and asked the operator IL he
wouldn't tell him to what point the gentle
man just in had sent q message. OF course
he was not given the information. When
the general left yesterday morning the spy
left on the same train with him.
Those who have noticed the general In
Selma have wondered who he carried his
umbrella so often. They would not have
marveled so much had they known that
down the handle Of that umbrella was
keen, sword-like blade. ready for any
emergency.
He is exceedingly hopeful that the next
attempt to right his wrongs in Guatemala
will not fail, and there are those in Selma
with whom he came in contact who right
heartily wish him we'll and hope with him
for better success next time.