The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-05-07
BRIcANDAGE IN PORTO RICO.

Brigands used to be the pest of Porto
Rico before the advent of the American
troops into the island last summer.
Now few if any remain. There are no
indications Of their existence. The only
band that made any efforts to con-
tinue in business after the arrival OF
our troops suffered an experience that
probably was a lesson for the whole lot
then in the island. The brigands had no
sooner begun operations than word was
sent to the military post at Arecibo
about them. A squad of sharpshooters
from the Forty-seventh New York vol
unteerS was Immediately detailed to
look after them. The soldiers soon
came up with them and opened fire.
The brigands were far in advance at
the time and were mounted on the swift
footed little mountain ponies which
Porto Rico produces. They therefore
escaped, but the incident opened their
eyes to the fact that American troops
have a different and far more unpleas-
ant way of dealing with such things
than the old Spanish civil guard.
Prior to this, from the beginning OF
the American occupation, there had
been few and poorly organized raids.
Indeed, it long ago became evident that
the great leaders or captains of the
bandits of Porto Rico had forsaken the
calling. The overthrow of Spanish SOW
ereignty was sufficient to rid the island
of them. At the coming of the Ameri-
can troops they dug up their gold and
silver and other valuables and fed from
the island. There are holes to be seen
in the ground and mounds where holes
have been dug and then refilled near
some of the caves in the Ponce district,
the former hotbed of Porto Rican
brigandage, and the country people say
that at these spots was hidden the
plumber of these outlaws prior to the
American invasion.
They were brigands in every sense OF
the word, not merely petty malefactors.
but robbers, kidnapers, cutthroats and
footpads. They waylaid travellers, lev
led blackmail on planters, pillaged
homes, killed for pay and even made
descents upon villages for booty. Some
Cf them made a speciality of removing
hated persons, receiving for their serv-
ICES, sums ranging from 800 to $500. ac-
c9rding to the, financial ability Of the
person hiring them and the prominence
of the. intended victim or his fighting
ability. The people of Porto Rico tell
today with certain pride that these
cutthroats never betrayed a patron The
two most famous leaders in the bust
ness up to the time of the American
capture of the island were Pan BIanco,
or White Bread" and Aguila Blanca,
or white Eagle" When the city of
Ponce fell into the hands of the Amer
lean troops, Pan BIanco fed incOnti-
nently. His record was so bad that he
could expect no mercy. Aguiia Blanca
stood his ground and decided to see
what the Americans were like. The re-
suit of the. scrutiny was favorable. so
he came into the city said he wanted
to lead a better life and would reform.
if the Americans would permit him. and
asked for and received sort of safe
conduct
When Pan Blanco fed. he took his
entire band with him. 1t is varieusly
estimated that thus the island was rid
of from Is to 25 Fascals Pan Bianco
took them to the island of Santo Do
nlingo