The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-06-19
MURDER MYSTERY
yOrOnIOrs WOMAN KILLED ~
Ratchet BLOWS.
An American ~ Geoa Family, FOR
nerly In the Arny, CHARGED with
the Crin-Another story IL She
Wa. TIE yietfun of . Blackmailer.

HAVANA June R-The local papers to-
day devote considerable space to the muir
der Of the notorious Minnie Ross, who
was killed with the blunt end OF a hafchet
after being chicken. and was found dead
early yesterday morning. IL was first
reported that a well-known army officer
was involved as the uniform found in
the room OF Fred Kraus. now in custody
on charge of being the murderer, is I'M
douose<ily one formerly worn by him. He
Is said to be a member OF a wealthy
Tampa family.
Thus far there Is but little evidence
against him. Many believe, from the ma
ture of the crime, that it was committed
b a woman. One theory is that the blow
with the hatchet was not Immediately
fatal, and that the victim was then caoked
TO death. Robbery could scarcely have
been the motive for the police found $500
in the murdered woman's room and
quantity OF valuable jewelry on her dress
ing table.
Another theory Ia that the authorities,
having received definite information that
the woman had been paying money TO
some one connected with the police de-
partment for the privilege OF conducting
her house, which was one of bad repute.
had sent an agent TO ascertain the name
OF the guilty official. This agent. i, is
thought had threatened her that unless
she disclosed the mans name her house
would be closed.
). She. q. the story goes, refused TO give
mailer. The government agent left the
house after midnight. according to the
explanation of the crime. and II Is sup
view with the biackmailer with the re-
suit that he killed her.
The friends Of Kraus bitterly complain
OF the incomunicado syssem which is
cnf In, "a
neither his friends nor legal counsel have
been allowed to see him.
Libel Against . Paper.
The kbel action which Gov. Gen. Brooke
ordered begun against Ell Reconcentrado is
exciting general interest for II Is regard
ed as q test case. under the present decree.
An Unpopular Appointment.
The possibility that Gen. Freyre An
drade, president OF the military assembly.
may be named as one OF the Judges OF APP
peal has caused considerable agitation
among the Cubans. who regard him as de-
c.des.ly erra,ic. AT the time of the Garcia
funeral his attitude toward Gen. Brooke.
whom he charged with endeavoring by
every possible means to provoke the Gu,
among the latter More than this. at all
the meetings of the assembly he bitterly
denounced the Americans. and at all the
has put in an appearance he has followed
the same course. His selection for a
judgeship would be disapproved by many,
not only for such considerations as the
foregoing, but because he is not old enough
or sufficiently experienced to fili the posi-
ton effectively.
Cubans Fiocking tn Get Their Money
The work OF disbursing the American
gratu.ty TO the Cuban troops AT cardenas.
Remedies. Pinar del Rio and Puerto Prin-
eipe continues The cubans are fiocking
TO the distributing centers. asserting that
1t was only by accident they heard they
were 10 receive American money. The
pa.pable evidence of fraud In making up
the lists Is arousing popular Indignation
throughout the island, and the evident de-
sire OF the Americans TO carry out their
pledges excites general admiration.
The papers that represent the members
OF the former military assembly continue
their disparaging allnsions TO Senior Ques-
ada the special representative of Cuba in
Washington. They characterize the APP
poin,ment as direct slap in the face"
from President Mckinley. The Gomez
party. on the other hand. says that the
presidents choice In this matter Is another
Illustration of his excellent Judgment
They regard Senior Quesada as man
devoted TO the best interests OF Cuba, and
consider that his appointment; places In
Washington "a man who will tell the truth
and save the expense OF sending commits
sions there" which was the usual device
of the military assembly.