Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-03-27
LETTER FROM SPAIN.
Landlord Thayer Receives Message
From Spanish Relative?
Is Probably Another Scheme 10 extcrt Money
From Americans.

The newspapers throughout the
country have recently contained no.
tees regarding the receipt of letters
from Spain, by American people. who
were informed that they had relatives
there who were in great need and that
a fortune was awaiting them. but on
confined in some castle or Spanish
prison there was no way of getting at
it. and they wrote to America asking
that the relations in this country send
them money with which to pay for the
proper legal proceedings that would
give their heirs the fortune.
Landlord A. w. Thayer of the Ban
gor Exchange, formerly of the Augusta
house has recently received one of
these letters. 1t is interesting from
the fact that il shows as the boys say,
the nerve which foreigners have. The
letter follows:
Castle of Valencia. 222-s9.
Mr. A. w. Thayer.
Mr.. Dear Relative: Having not the
honor to know you but for the refer
ences which my dear wife Felina
Thayer your relative gave me. who,
mentioning the individuals of our fam
lily praised the beauty and good quail
ties that distinguished you and | ad-
dress myself to you for the first time
land perhaps the last one considering
the grave state of my health explain
ing to you my sad position and re-
questing your protection for my only
daughter your niece. IA years old. who
! keep as a penSioner in the college of
La Carolina. AS | am chiefly watched
by my enemies | hope that you Will
reveal to nobody the most insignificant
detail in this letter. Being a secretary
and treasurer of Mr.. Weyler in the last
war of Cuba ard deserving the conf
dence OF such an illustriOus gentle
man. placing my capital in public funds
transaction SO that / make a brilliant
position for my daughter whom | ever
loved with passion since when her
mother died. | saw my fortune in
creased fast would have been happy
had my protector continued at the end
VI tiIt tdiHl'rtisI eio i!' SopiNt f" as IL
replaced by the General Blanco. than
my misfortune presented itself as /
could not succeed in making him COM
pany to Spain and not being in my
power to see Cuba ruled by an advcr-
sary polite. | joined the rebellion in
behalf of the republic but as we We're
victims of the greatest treason. was
obliged to einigrate in English ground
taking along with me my money val
ued at $175 900. After having resided
for sometime in London ! received the
sad news that my wife had died leaV-
ing my dear daughter in despair and
without help. In this sad situation
found myself in the necessity of COM
ing back to Spain to help my daughter
and bring her in my company to your
country.
Before starting. considering as i'm
prudent to take along with me this
respectable sum Of money. decided to
place it in the London bark against a
special private contract. and only as
deposit. as it appears in the security
document payable to the bearer. that
the bank gave me as guarantee
which document | hid in concealed
hollow in my portmanteau. very well
made, which the most keenest eyes
cannot find out.
Then very satisfied that the money
was in security, I started for Spain
where | was discovered by the mill
tary authorities, brought Immediately
before the government military of
i'arthagena. and condemned to Is years
penal servitude. destined to undergo
my condemn at the castle of Valencia,
where l bitterly suffer, deprived of all
communication from outside even with
my daughter When I was sentenced
my equipage and the portmanteau
have been confiscated. This embargo
was made as guarantee for the pay
ment of the costs of my process.
Here I am amidst so many people not
accepting any help whatever from my
enemies. 1 am only visited by the
chaplain of this castle who besides be-
ing my confessor, is my best friend
have to him been able to write this
letter being aware of my grave state
of health which end will be a fatal and
prompt one. l trust in your discretion
and interest with the noble wish of re-
ceiying your protection, should you be
kind enough to be the support of my
daughter. trying to make her happy, as
perhaps I may not be able to see hei
again.
NV daughter will possess fortune
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