The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-05-20
FRIEND OF LORENzO.|
John Pray Of This City Well Ac-
quainted With Rebel Leader
Executed at Panama.
Helped the Guerilla to Escape From
the Bogota Presented With
His Sword.

"a Victoriano Lorenzo, the Indian chief,
guerilla and former leader Of revolutionary
forces in the United States Of Colombia,
who was executed Friday at Panama,
for political offenses, was a warm personal
friend OF John Pray, OF 45 Fourth street S.,
a member OF the crew OF the cruiser Boz
gotta, manned by Americans, which did
valuable service for the Colombian gov.
eminent in 1900
Mr.. Pray was with the Bogota when, in
the summer Of that year, she landed ma
rines at San Carlos on the Colombian
coast and captured Lorenzo and 1900 Of
his followers. The capture Of the rebel
chief broke the backbone of the revolu-
ton and the Bogota was credited with
having done more to quell the disturbance
than any other naval or land force oper-
ating against the insurrectos.
During the several weeks that Loren
20 was our prisoner, " said Mr.. Pray, Il
became well acquainted with him, and
whatever his faults may have been, want
to bear full witness to his manhood. He
was as brave as they make them, and at
the same time apparently as considerate
| Of the interests of his subordinates as
one could wish. ]. He was In no sense the
cruel despot that he has been pictured.
would not be surprised to learn that he
was the victim of political intrigue and
| that his death was brought about by men
who knew they would be safer with hin,
out OF the way.
| 1T is a somewhat remarkable fact thai
| General Briceno, commander Of the 18th
milan forces, would not delay the execution
until the officials at Bogota could be asked
to commute the sentence to life irnprison-
4 ment
4 "The dispatches say that Lorenzo died
4 brave man. can well believe tina,
from what knew Of the splendid fellow
! but I take little stock In his reported
explanation that he was an unwilling ac-
complete to the commission of crimes IL
the field for which he was ostensibly dis
patched
Mr. Pray is. the proud possessor Of 9
valuable set Of diamond studs presented
him by Lorenzo in token Of the friend.
| ship which the latter bore him.
| Lorenzo also presented Mr.. Pray witt
his sword. But this presentation was mad,
Z under quite different circumstances. Mr.
Pray modestly admitted that it was h,
who planned the escape of Lorenzo from
the Bogota, due to which circumstance
the American was also forced to tax,
French leave the day after.
Lorenzo was such q favorite on boart
ship that Pray had no difficulty in per
suadtng the sentfnels not to see anything
4 When Pray got shore leave for day, HI
i engaged a native to row a boat to the shil
1 and take the rebel leader aboard. OWin1
i to the darkness of the night the pris
oner managed to slip away unseen
4 The next day Pray, whose life woul,
have been forfeit had the trick been dis
covered, walked across the isthmus Il
1 Colon, where, disguised as John Smith, h
took the steamer City of Washington t
/ New York. .sEg
81 had an affecting leave taking wit
4 Lorenzo" he said. "He told me that h
knew where there was plenty OF gold Il
the mountains and that If L ever earn
back he would take me where / could &c
all could carry away on a ship n
Lorenzo was fghtinsg for a principle
It was the old story OF unjust taxatio
with him and his people, His death wi
cause more trouble down there, for hi
people will never forgive the men VIII
4 killed him. I want to see vengeanc
overtake every one Of them