The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1899-03-30
VritteR for The Prison Mirror.
THIRTY DAYS IN THE
HAVANA JAIL.

BY NEGROS Ely BLANCO.

How came | there ?-Well, it come
about i'll this way: | was playing a
system, with the object in view of
breaking all the "bookies" on the Sheep
head Race Course. And did l brake
them, did you say? If you by "them,"
mean the "bookies," can't say that [
did, at least not enough to speak of.
But if 'them" should mean the man by
whom | was employed, and myself,
then my reply would be yes
While [ knew very we'll all these
facts, my employer was ignorant of it
all, and for fear that upon learning of
the state of affairs, he might say some
unkind things to me, decided to take
vacation. That is how | came to be
in Havana. But Havana seemed too
near to the states, so l engaged passage
on French liner to Bordeau, and
being without passport, attempted to
bribe the captain to take me without
this document, then so necessary in
that port. The captain advised me to
apply to my Consul, which l did. The
United States Consul, then in Havana,
was Ramon O. Williams, who was sue
ceeded by Gen. Lee. Mr.. Williams had
many questions to ask me about N.Y.
self and purpose in travelling without
passport. He finally con6ded to me
that [ answered the description of
man wanted" in the States, and that
my passport would be warrant of ar
rest. Now that is how 1 came to be in
Havana Jail.
The Jail or headquarters Of the order
Publica, which corresponds to the gen.
darmes of France, is situated just in
the rear of the Punta battery on the
shore directly opposite Moro. The
prison is built around an open court,
the cells opening off a wide cIoister,
which surrounds the court. On either
side of the main entrance is located the
guard-rooms. Adjoining these and
still at the front of the buildings are
the offices and the private room of the
Captain of the guard. A soldier with
a loaded Mauser patrols the main and
only entrance day and night. The
guard and its captain are changed every
day. The cells are very large, but con-
tain absolutely nothing save one half
of a barrel, sawn in two, to be used in
case of emergency.
Into one of these foul smelling, stone
fioored dungeons L was ushered, after
having registered at the desk. 1t was
because l was u. S. prisoner that I
had even so much consideration shown
me, as the other cells were crowded with
motley mob of Cubans, Spaniards.
Negroes and Chinese. Here was my
first attempt of talking Spanish, but it
was more than useless, for the guards
that crowded about my barred window,
only laughed at my attempts. l then
resorted to the language of signs, by
holding my nose, making wry face
and pointing to the half barrel. lfthey
did not understand me fully, they un-
derstOOd me better when l produced a
piece of Spanish gold. The half barrel
was removed and the floor was
thoroughly scrubbed. Being so suc-
cessful thus far, continued to use
signs and Spanish gold, till 1 had a
good cot with pillow and sheets and
some mating on the floor. Finally 1
procured portable bath tub with soap
and towels and couple of stone jars
for ice water. By the time 1 had &C.
complished all this, the captain of the
guard became interested and sent out
for an interpreter, and through him he
offered to have my every wish provided
for, on condition of course that pay
for everything. I then asked for the
freedom of the court, which he granted.
ITO be continued next week..