Los Angeles herald., 1905-08-27
GIRL IS HELD As
ORIENTAL SLAVE
ABDUCTED AND CARRIED TO
MEXICO
SUBJECTED TO MUCH CRUELTY
According to story Told In River
side Courtroom She Was Finally
Sold to cholo for Fifty
Five Dollars
SUBJECTED TO MUCH CRUELTY

special TO The Herald.
RIVERSIDE, Aug. 26-A girl who
had cost a thrifty Mexican $55 in hard
cash was in local justice court this
afternoon as complaining witness in a
battery suit in which her purchaser
was defendant. Eloise Rodriguez was
her name, and Pedro that Of the de-
fendant. She related that in a fit of
Jealous anger her husband struck her
with his fist 1t developed during the
hearing that Rodriguez had paid a wo-
man $55 for the girl in Los Angeles.
This woman claimed to be the guardian
of Eloise, who is not over 16. Pedro
thought the price a little high and
compromise deal was negotiated for
$55. Pedro told the court that he be-
lieved himself justified in furnishing
his companion because she allowed one
Andrew Silvas. a dashing Mexican with
lurid red necktie, to hug and kiss
her.
Eloise told to the court this afternoon
a story of vassalage that seems in
credible in a free land. According to
her story, little less than a year ago
she was abducted by the woman who
has held her prisoner for the greater
part of the time since. This was in
Chihuahau, Mexico, and the woman
who stole her from her parents was
Juana Guerrero. With the girl, then
IA years of age, was her brother clique,
years old Both were taken and has
tened across the line. First the woman
brought the children to Los Angeles,
then they were taken to Chatsworth
Park, where a host of cholos were
employed.
1t was here that the girls abductor
first began to reap profit on her hu-
man chattel. Her nephew, Florentino
Martinez was first to force his unwel-
come attentions on the girl Threats
and actual violence were employed to
bend the girl to his will. In this Mrs.
Guerrero aided with hot fiatiron and
the scar still remains on the girls
wrist.
There had been several months of
this life when Pedro Rodriguez came.
To him the woman offered to sell the
girl, and the deal was finally nego-
tiated A Los Angeles detective, named
Talamantes, figured in this deal, and
his card and told of the part he had
played as advisor to her and Pedro.
Four months the child has lived with
Rodriguez, who is employed in stone
quarry near Casa Blanca. Bruises and
knife wounds tell the story Of his treat
ment of his slave. One of these. half
healed in her arm, was made because
she asked him for twenty-five cents to
buy food with.
AS she caught sight of her master
when she came from the Justices pri-
vate office into the city court room to-
day she gave smothered cry and
cringed behind friendly form. After
hearing of the case 1t was adjourned
until Monday afternoon in order that
there might be a full investigation.
When seen last night by a represen-
tative of the Herald Detective Tala-
nantes referred to his tabulated notes
upon cases under his jurisdiction, and
said: There is absolutely no truth in
the representation of the case as made
by these people.
Last July Pedro Rodriguez came to
me and stated that he was living with
girl from Chatsworth Park and
wanted to marry her and that she
desired to obtain possession Of her A.
year-old brother.
Rodriguez also said that he was
afraid that If he married the girl she
would be attacked by the man with
whom she had previously been living.
Il told him to go ahead and marry
her and that if there was any trouble
to call up the office. Then l handed
him my card.
Speaking of the boy l said, We
cannot aid you in obtaining possession
of him as that is entirely civil mat
ter and in the hands of the court.
my action in the case was based en-
tirely upon my knowledge of the situa-
tion"