Morris tribune., 1901-09-07
ON BARREN ISLE
TAMPA, FLA, STRIKE LEADERS
RESCUED FROM a TERRI
BE POSITION.
WERE LEFT THERE TO DIE

Kidnapped by Citizens Committee
on Aug. and Conveyed to an unin-
habited island of the Coast Of Hon
duras-Discovered by an Indian At
ter Their Small supply Of Provisions
Had Been Exhausted.
New York, Sept. GA special to
The Herald from Key. West says:
The 13 abducted leaders of the strik-
ling cigarmakers OF Tampa have re-
turned from exile. The men, who
composed the central committee Of
the Resistencia union Of Tampa, ar
rived here on small fruit schooner,
the Gertrude, of this port.
Marooned on a barren, uninhabited
isle off the coast OF Honduras. they
have, by an unexpected turn of for
tune, escaped death from exposure
! and starvation and made their way to
civilization and safety. They believe
it was the intention of their captors
that they should never return from
exile. The authorities Of Washington
have instructed Inc United States dis
trict attorney at Jacksonville, Fla, to
make an investigation of the matter.
Sworn depositions of the men, taken
before federal officials, have been
mailed to Washington. The party con-
sisted of six Spantards, six Cubans
and one Englishman. The Cubans and
the Englishman, however, are natural
lied American citizens. The men all
bear evidence of the hardships en-
countered during their forced exile
and present a pitiful appearance. The
stories they tell are substantially the
same, differing only In minor details
as to the methods resorted to by their
Hbductors.
Taken From Sick Wife's Bedside.
Luis Barcia, who was taken at mid
night from the bedside of his wife,
whose death since has been reported,
says he was forced into a closed car
riage and taken to the railroad station,
where he was put into an electric car,
the lights of which were out, the cur
rent having been shut off. Eight of
his comrades, who had been similarly
captured, were put with him into the
rear compartment of the car and
taken to Ballast point, few miles
west Of Tampa, on Hillsborough bay.
-Four other members of Resistencia
union had previously been taken
through the woods in wagon to the
same place, where tug with steam up
awaited them. Several Of the guards
on the car, the men say, were prom
inent citizens of Tampa and we'll
known to them After a brief confer
ence at Ballast point the 13 men were
dragged aboard the tug and the start
was made amid. derisive farewells 4
from the abductors on the dock. The
tug headed for the schooner Marie 4
Cooper, which was riding at anchor
in the stream with all sails set. The
men were transferred to the schooner
under a heavy guard. This was on
Tuesday night, Aug. 6. A stiff breeze
soon carried them down the bay and
out to sea. The kidnapped men, who
had been kept in ignorance not only
Of their fate, but of their probable
destination, were at length told they
would be landed on English soil far |
enough away to prevent a return to
the United States for a long time.
Put Ashore on a Barren Isle.
On the seventh day land was sighted |
and the captives were informed this !
was their destination. It was a long,
low stretch of sand beach without I
sign of human habitation. The men |
were landed at night, each one re-
ceiving $5. A box Aof soda crackers,
two small hams, three cans Of beef |
and about q gallon of water were
placed on the beach. The schooner
mme ediately set sail and disappeared.
For days they wandered along the
beach, husbanding their meagre sup
ply, and without encounterlng hui
man being or sighting sail. Their
small stock OF provisions finally gave
out, the water supply was exhausted,
heir hands and faces were burned by
The tropical sun, their feet bIistered
by long marches. They began to
despair OF ever reaching home and
lad almost given up when they were
discovered by an Indian. He brought
hem to the mainland and to the plan
alton of a Mr.. Bruno, where they
procured small boat to take them to
rruxillo. They were told by Mr..
Bruno that from the description they
rave of the island they had evidently
,een near the mouth Of Plantation
liver. At Truxillo they had the good
ortune to meet two Cubans, formerly
esidents Of Florida, who supplied
unds and hired a schooner to take
hem to- Bonacco. There they found
he schooner Gertrude. They char
cred her and sailed for Key West.
TURKEY MAKES PROTEST..
Anfian oS Rri%ieh Naval Officers Conn.