The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-02-25
SOUNDS LIKE
old FICTION.
Michigan Man Tntd He Has
Riches WaINng An Spain.
TALE OF BURIED TREASURE.
Familiar Features Of the Man In Pnscn
and tho kindly Priest Appear
In the SisTI
TALE OF BURIED TREASURE.

Joseph p. Reinser. a young lumber r.lcr-
chant Of Escanaba. Mich. has become
one OF the principal characters in a real
romance, as strange as the time-worn tic-
ton by which many person has been
swildled. The Spanish grandee of great
wealth, the tair daughter the prison. and
the priest who acts fairy godfather
all appear in this real-life story.
Roinger puts great faith in the report
that he has fallen heir 10 a fortune in
Spain, but the conditions sound strangely
familiar 10 those conversant with the de-
tails Of the ancient victims among smart
men IN this country
Reinger has just received the neH, that
he has Inherited &lSO.OOO IN cash. as one
fourth share In the estate OF his uncle.
This uncle whom ho doesn't know. and
who was an officer in the Spanish army,
deserted his post 10 link his fortunes with
the Cuban insurrectionists
lie was betrayed by Spanish spy and
incarcerated in prison. where he died a
Few weeks ago. His estate, amounting
to ss2O.OO0. VIII be divided between a Is
year-old daughter. who will receive three
quarters, and Reinger. who inherits the
remainder
FOUR COUNTRIES INVOLVED.
The story connected with this fortune
ana the man who left il would furnish
q plot Tor a melodrama. The scenes are
lald IN four countries-Begium Spain,
cuba, and the United States.
=. II, keinger, Sr.. now dead. left his ma
i've city OF Brussels, in lSsS. TO come To
America for the purpose of making his
fortune. Reinger settled at Green BAY.
Wis. where he lived Tor many years.
lie married "a young woman OF Green
, Bay, and moved TO Ingalls, where he
reared family OF three sons. the eldest
I OF whom Is j. t. Reinger OF this city.
Eight years ago the father died. and his
WIDOW and two sons still reside at In
gals.
When he left Brussels. Mr.. Reinger had
sister residing there with his aged par
ents. Fifteen years later, i'm 1883. his sis
ter was married TO Lantigo Ferroll. an
officer I'm the Spanish army. and AT that
time connected with the legation at Brus-'
sells.
Some time later FerrolI. was promoted
To prison at Valencia and took his
young wife with him. Gradually the
American relatives lost track OF them.
and nothing was heard from them until
within the last year. when IL was learend
| that Mrs. Ferroll had died and that her
husband was confined in "a Spanish pris-
on at Valencia under a 3S years sentence
! as a traitor.
/ This nforma ton was contained In a let
ter from the condemned man to his wifes
J brother. the senior Reinger but as the
! latter was dead. II fell into the hands OF
\ his eldest son, and was answered.
! WAS GENERAL CAMPoS SECRETARY
/
In the correspondence which followed.
Ferroll. being aided by Father Pedro. a
priest connected with the prison. 1t was
learned that AS private secretary TO Mar
tineZ Campos, who was succeeded by
Weyler in Cuba. Ferroll had left Spain
some years ago and gone TO Cuba. that
while in cuba he had anassed "A consid-
erable fortune, which he had deposited
I'm the Bank of England in London
|, Later Ferroll had deserted the Spanish
cause for the Cuhans AT the conclusion
of hostlities he had settled,up his affairs
i'm Cuba. and about "A year ago had re-
| turned 10 Spain 20 get his wife aud daugh-
ter and bring them to America.
Unfortunately he was betrayed upon
his arrival in Spain. was aIe.sted as a
traitor. tried. and sent 70 ll7-son. Tho
story of his fortune was known only 10
Father Pedro. and Ferrol urged upon
his American relatives To aid him In oh
tanning release from prison in order
| that his daughter might benent by his
| wealth.
Two months ago Reinger received a LETT
ter announcing that Ferroll was In very
| poor health, and saying that he feared his
! days were short he wanted his nephew
| TO care for his 15-year-old daughter EN-
| civ who was i'm the Convent Colegio An
| glo Espanal Santa Elena. The writer OF
the letter said that II Reinger would
promise this he would be well providti
or.
Reinger gave his promise. and recently
| TO his surprise. he received letter from
| Father Pedro. the prison chaplain. an
| nouncing that Ferroll had died on Feb:
! 5. The letter also contained a copy OF
| the dead mans will. which gave three
! quarters of the estate, SA0Oo to his
| daughter. and $4,000 TO his nephew. j..
| T. Reinger. of Escanaba.
Five thousand dollars had been set aside
for Father Pedro. In addition 70 the slSo, :
| OO0 Mr. Reinger is to receive the interest
| ON the 900 for six years. or until Sem
| orita Emely has reached the age or y
years this amount 10 be used In carina
| for and educating her.
HEIRESs COMING TO AMERICA
The letter also announced that Father
| Pedro would sail in few days Tor the
United States, accompanied by Miss FER
| roll, who is TO live with Mr.. Reinger. Sull
more recently a letter came from Miss
| Terroil written at the convent. IL con-
! tained the photograph of very hand
some young girl. /.
Joseph r. Reinger Is only - years oe
| age. but Is one of the best-known cedar
dealers of the northwest. He has been
| I'm the business since he was a boy. ana
! has accumulated about $1,000 as re-
| suit of his labors.
| For a number Of years he travelled for
! the Buckingham & tlickson Lumber com.
many OF Madison. Wis, and alter went
| with tho woodruff e. Mcguire company
! of Rockford, III. lie has lived In Escan-
aha FOR the last year. and Is said 70 De
| engaged 10 marry an Escanaba girl.
| Tie accents the changed condition In his
/ life quietly and as yet has allowed hiS
good fortune to make no change In Ms
4 prg~yfnv labtfS.