The times., 1899-02-27

shadow. His brain and spine have been
so badly affected by the torture that he
is little better than helpless, The
picture of McCarter published here was
taken in 1895. one year previous TO his
experience with the officials OF Colombia
Today McCarter is an aged wreck, and al
though but thirty-fve years o,d, he looks
to be over sixty years of age.
Bridge Engineer.
McCarter is a civil and bridge engineer
by profession. He was born in Kansas
City. Mo, in 1864. After doing some good
work in this country he received an open
ing at Honda. Colombia, experimenting
the erection of street bridges along the
Ell Dorado Railroad. Leaving this point.
McCarter received an offer from railroad
contractor. Josef Pierinito. to erect sew
eral bridges at Cucuta, Colombia.
McCarter started overland TO Cucuta
with train of pack mules and several as
sistants. The mules carried a valuable load
OF instruments and machines At this
time the government of Colombia had Just
suppressed revolution led by the famous
Caterino Cara and the country was in an
uproar. The British government had
threatened extreme measures unless the
Colombia government agreed 10 pay the
sum of $500 600 for a railroad built bv
and was being operated by the officials of
Colombia
At the City's Gates
McCarter and his party eventually ar
rived at the gate of the city of Cucuta,
early in January. 1896. As the party en-
tered the gate McCarter was stopped by
three men in civilian garb These three
questioned him very earnestly, and finally
told him that he would have to accom-
pany them to the custom house where they
would see If his baggage contained any
thing dutable
Strangely enough, the three men left
the mule train and the assistants behind
and proceeded with McCarter to the
military prison in the town. Here il de
veloped that the three men were the
project, the mayor, and the projects sec
retary.
McCarter asked why he had been brought
there and was informed by the prefect that
ii was none of his business The prefect
then began 10 search the prisoners clothes
and confiscated everything contained in
the pockets. Among the articles was a
little pamphlet Botany and Flora.
which McCarter had obtained from a
friend, MIR. Stein, Of Salazar. The ram
phlet was worth probably , cents. and
was perfectly harmless. but the prefect
thought ii good grounds for an arrest
Taken 10 the Cell.
McCarter was then taken to cell and
locked up for twenty-four hours. when he
was released. He then went TO a hotel,
and, after resting, began Il search for his
pack train and assistants. These were
nowhere TO be found McCarter then went
to the American Consular Agent, Christian
Andersen, and related what had occurred.
~ II flng
rage and told McCarter to remain in town
until matters were Strengthened out
McCarter was arrested again that after
noon and charged with being foreign
military spy. He again placed in a
cell and kept locked up for thirty-six
hours, when he managed TO bribe guard
to take a note to United States Consular
Agent Andersen. Andersen came TO the
prison at once and hearing the details
ordered that the prisoner be released.
This was refused. Andersen then de-
manded that the prisoner be released