Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-07-19
A TALE OF SUFFERING
SAD LIFE STORY OF A FORMER
WEALTHY CUBAN.
DR.. Machado, Now Poverty-Stricken,
VIII Press Suit Before Spanish
Treaty Claims Commission.

A real HE story OF SuI1erlnS anu StdiNa-
ton. coupled with Spanish oppression and
cruelty, in which a naturalized American
citizen and his numerous family are the
victims. has just been brought to light by
a claim filed with the Spanish treaty claims
commission in this city The claimant Is
DR.. William Machado. an aged man whose
crippled condition excites pity wherever he
goes. His physical affection is due to par
alyss and the privations he has undergone
in Cuba, the land of his BIRTH
DIR. Machado is now in Washington and
Is stopping at the Central Union MISSION,
where board is cheap, because of the limited
condition of his funds. He was porn III
Santa Clara, Cuba, but came to the states
when a boy and was educated here. He at
tended a medical college in Philadelphia
and graduated with honors He was au,
mtted to American citizenship IN 1o'o' anu
after practicing his profession as physician
for one year in the Quaker city, moved 10
Tampa Fla where he continued his prac-
tice and also established drug store when
he conducted until 1895, when ne was
stricken with paralysis
His Troubles Began.
1t was at this period that DR.. Machado's
troubles began. His father died soon after
he vas stricken down and left him ana
his brother Joaquin and several sisters
large sugar and tobacco plantation, known
as the Santa Rita estate, located between
fifteen and twenty miles from the city OF
Santa Clara. As soon as the condition OF
his health permitted DR.. Machado returned
to Cuba to bring about the settlement OF
his fathers estate. with the purpose OF
afterward returning to the United states,
where he intended to spend his days.
The instruction in Cuba broke out anew
in February, 1895, and he found hlmseli
on the island of his nativity unable to get
back to his adopted country. His brother
! l,a ham cd II
Gated in the United States, and admitted
to citizenship, had charge of the estate
as administrator. Both brothers We're duly
registered in the consulates of Cuba as
American citizens, but at that time Amerl-
can citizenship amounted to little in the
eyes of the Spanish officials. In addition
to being registered, the brothers held "ce-
dulas' Certificates of their American CIT
iZenship issued by the Spanish government.
The Santa Rita plantation with all the
stock, farming implements and improve
ments thereon, was estimated to be worth
half million dollars.
One unfortunate day the plantation was
visited by body of Spanish soldiers, who
applied the torch to the place. The fire de-
stroyed all the dwelling houses, stables,
sugar mill estimated to be worth S10O,oD,
the tobacco barn and everything on the
premises that could be burned or destroyed.
They drove Off all the live stock and left
the place almost barren desert. Not
content with this destruction of property
ii
trees and an extensive banana grove.
Joaquin Machado was ordered by the
Spanish officers to leave Cuba forthwith
upon pain of being shot If he did not do so.
DR.. Machado. with his wife and ten chill
dren were concentrated in the city of Santa
Clara without any means of support. In
order to get food for himself and family
he began to sell piecemeal the lands be-
longing to the estate at whatever price he
could get for them.
Reduced to Poverty.
By the time Of the Intervention of the
United States DR.. Machado had sold the
entire estate, leaving himself and family
destitute and without means Of subsistence.
His aff1iction grew worse precluding him
from practicing his profession or doing any
kind Of work. The condition Of himself
and family at this time was most deplora-
BILE and pitiable.
After peace was established and the
Spanish yoke removed from the neck of
Cuba several public schools were establish
ed In Santa Clara, and Mrs. Machado tho
Doctors wife, was given place as-janitor
of one OF the schools, at the munificent
salary of SO per month, payable in Spanish
silver. which was equivalent to about So so
in American money Upon this pittance
the family of twelve persons subsisted.
at about the rate of 80 cents per month for
each member of the family until the death
of the patient and faithful mother and
wife. who literally starved to death during
the present year.
Dr. Machado, by the aid of friends was
enabled to come to Washington to look
after his claim. His ten children are now
scattered about Santa Clara province living
as best they can. DIR. Machado Is a con-
vert to the Conversational Church And he
brought with him a letter to Rev s. M.
Newman Of this city from Rev. H B.
Someillan. the native Cuban Congrega tionaI
pastor OF church just outside of the city
of Santa Clara.
Captain Fred Beall Of ga F street north
west. who visited Cuba recently, was a
witness of the squalor and suffering at the
Machado home. The gaunt, alf-starved
children and the general conditions were
enough. he said, to move to emotion a man
of stone.