The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-08-27
Political Prisoner i'm Barcelona,
Spain. Offers His Daughter and
Fortune of $19S,OOO.
CLAIMS TO BE A RELATIVE
PATRIOT OR LIAR CALLS ON JEN-
NINGS TO AID HIM WITH FUNDS.
Thrilling Tale of Hair-Breadth Es-
capes, Revolution and Tyranny
May BE a New BuncO Game.

Frank r. Jennings, well-known fruit
packer, of No. 81 West Pearl street. is puz-
zled over the contents of singular letter
he received yesterday from grim old
Spanish prison. Mr.. Jennings is either the
intended victim of the newest international
bunco game or else very shortly he will be-
come the owner of fortune of $4,000 and
the guardian of Spanish girl beautiful as
an houri
The interesting document, full of awk-
ward phrases, is either an appeal for help
from man i'm deep trouble or else it is a
cleverly-devised document written to VIC
timize Jennings. Its quaint English render
ing of Spanish phrases may be either the
expression of terrible emotion or else a
diabolically clever carrying into minute de-
tail swinders plan.
Auguste La Punta, manacled in the Span
ish fortress prison of Barcelona, claiming
to be a relative through marriage of Mr.
Jennings, writes that, although robbed of
all his belongings by Spanish tyranny be-
cause of participation i'm the Cuban rebel
lion against Spain. he managed to deposit
$19S.oOO in New York bank, receiving cer-
tificates of deposit. which he has managed
to conceal while in prison.
PATRIOT OR LIAR.
La Punta, either NEST unfortunate pa
triot or monumental liar gifted with the
imagination of a Dumas or a Balzac, says
that he has beautiful daughter, whom
prison has separated from him. He desires
to send Amelie, the daughter, in company
with the chaplain of the castle, his secret
friend. TO Mr.. Jennings to be under the lat
ter's guardianship until his sixteen years
imprisonment at hard labor expires. To
recompense Jennings for caring for the
daughter. La Punta declares he will send
the certificates of deposit for sl9S,000 on the
New York bank-name not given. Jennings
is to have the certificates cashed and Is to
keep one-fourth of the fortune for himself
This singular soldier of fortune says that
when Martinez Campos was captain general
of Cuba all went well with him. but that
when Weyler became commandant of the
island an evil hour came upon him and his
house. Not being able to brook Weyler he
joined the revolutionary army, but seized
daughter Carrying sl9s.00O I'm a portman-
teau, he came TO New York. and. believing
IL unsafe 10 carry so much money back to
Spain. he deposited il i'm the bank.
When he was arrested in Spain as rebel
his private papers We're eonfscated along
with his other personal effects The certifi-
Gates of deposit he managed TO hide I'm a
secret compartment of the portmaateau. He
wants Mr.. Jennings to send him enough
money TO replevin his chattels. after which
he will send his daughter and papers to Mr.
Jennings, he writes. Jennings. he declares
is a cousin of his dead wife and is in duty
bound To come To his aid.
WILL BE INVESTIGATED
Mr. Jennings thinks Ii may be an attempt
10 swindle him. since he has a rating as q
packer and merchant in foreign books OF
commerce. He will investigate the matter,