The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1899-04-01
sWINDLE BROUGHT UP TO DATE.
Cuban War Additions to an Old Trick OF
Sharpers in Spain.

G.. G. Emerson, of the firm of Emer-
son & Haigue, wholesale tinsmlths,
of Winnipeg, Manitoba, was in OF
tawa, Canada, recently on his way to
Spain. His journey ended there,
however, and he returned to the
prairie city q much wiser man. he
had narrow escape of being the VIC
tim of an old swindle.
Mr.. Emerson is Norwegian and
came to this country about twenty
years ago, leaving only two relatives
in his native country, sister and
brother. The latter became private
in the Spanish Army. He has never
had any communication with his
brother, but early last October he re-
ceived letter from one Augustin La
fuente, dated from "Castle Fort OF
Valentia," Spain. The writer asserted
relationship by marriage with Emer-
son and requested protection for his
daughter. The letter in parts reads
| as follows:
az am strictly watched by my en-
emies. hope you will reveal to no.
body the most Insignificant detail OF
this letter. Being secretary and
treasurer of Martinez Campos in the
last war of Cuba, and deserving the
confidence of such an illustrious man,
paying me part of the money he made
on his transactions, my fortune in
creased, and I would have been happy
had my protector continued at the end
of the campaign, but no sooner was
he replaced by General Weyler than
my misfortune presented itself.
could not succeed in accompanying
my benefactor to Spain, and it not being
in my power to see Cuba ruled by an
adversary, I joined the rebellion. But
as we were the victims of the greatest
treason, I was obliged to emigrate to
England, taking with me all my valu
ables and $1S5, 900. Shortly after
arrived in London I received wore
that my wife had died, leaving m.
dear daughter in despair and without
, help. In this sad situation I found i
| necessary to go to Spain to help m.
, daughter and take her out OF tn
country. Before leaving, I consid
. cred it imprudent to take along wit
, me so large a sum of money, and de
cided to place it in the Bank of Eng
. land. 1 then started for Spain, wher,
was discovered by the military au
Q thorities and condemned to ten years
r penal servitude. I ask you to becom
4 the protector of my daughter. vii
o give part of the money to you. an
o the rest to my daughter" .
e Mr., Emerson came to the concluslo
g that it was his sisters daughter o
# whose behalf the appeal was mad'
He therefore lost no time in replyin
Q TO the letter and asked for further Ii
v structions. In time came respons'
Il giving Mr.. Emerson more details an
e stating that the writer was fast nea
n ing the end of his earthly career, an
,: begging that his young daught'
is should at once be taken care OF.
1t would be necessary for Mr.. Emerse
" to forward $4,000 to secure from a
It other person the document on whl'
10 to obtain from the Bank of EnglaI
1t the S1S5, 900. Mr.. Emerson decide
!" to start for Spain forthwith, but
h his way stopped off at Ottawa tie pr
to cure a passport. For that purpose
ID visited the Interior Departme1
t. where he soon learned the deceptl
o. that had been practiced upon hir
m Letters of the same nature have be-
re sent to several persons IN Ottawa.