The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1908-09-28
Former Market Street Merchant
Declines Guardianship of
Pretty Daughter.
USUAL BAIT OF MONEY
HIDDEN IN P~ORTMANTEAU
And Same Old Thin0 About Mis-
fortune Following EspousaI
of Cuba'S Cause.

Agar the Spanish NOuld-De SNlrGler
Is in search of victims here. William
Witty, the former oce and cigar
dealer of 1879 Market street, has re-
ceiyed a letter from a supposed pris-
oner, who claims to have IL fortune
of s145, 900 so tied up that he can't get
it. but wants Mr.. Witty to become
guardian of the money for his daugh-
ter.
He tells Mr.. Witty that he (Whitty)
had a sister. Mary, whom the prisoner
married, and hat the girl the prisoner
wants TO oonfide TO Mr.. Whitty's care
is Mr.. Whitty's niece.
Mr.. Witty never had a sister named
Mary. and declares the letter a poor
attempt to get money from him.
The letter, mailed at Barcelona,
Spain, is as follows:
Castle Port of BARRACKS.
Dear Sir and Relative:
Having not the honor to know you,
but for the references which my dead
wife, Mary Witty. your relative, gave
me, who, mentioning the individuals
of our family. praised the honesty and
good qualities that distinguish you, l
address you for the first time. and per-
haps the last one, considering the grave
state of my health, explaining to you
my sad position and requesting your
protection for my only daughter that !
keep as a pensioner in the College of
st. Cugat.
Money in the Bank.
Being a secretary and treasurer of
Mr.. Martinez Campos in the last wal
of Cuba and deserving the confidence
of such an illustrious gentleman, /
placed my capital in a public funds
transaction, SO that l might make a
brilliant position for my daughter,
whom ! love with passion since her
mother died. l would have been hap
py had my protector, Campos, CON
tinued to the end of the campaign. No
sooner was he replaced by General
Weyler than my misfortune presented
itself.
81 Joined the rebellion in behalf of the
republic, but as we were victims of the
greatest treason, l was obliged to emil
crate to English ground, taking along
with me my money valued at f29, 000,
sterling.
After having resided some time in
London I received the sad news that
my wife had died, leaving my dear
daughter in despair and without help.
In this sad situation I found myself in
the necessity of coming back to Spain
to help my daughter and bring her in
my company to your country.
Before starting, considering 1t i'm
portant to take along with me this re-
spectacle sun of money, ! decided to
place 1t in the National Bank of Eng
land. I took a certificate of deposit pay
able only to the bearer. This document
I hid in a hollow of my portmanteau,
where the keenest eyes cannot find 1t.
Then, very satisfied hat the money
was In security. / started for Spain to
help my daughter. I was discovered by
the military authorities and condemned
to eighteen years of penal servitude.
POrtmanteau Conhscated.
when l was sentenced the portman-
teau was con1scated. This embargo
was made as a guarantee for the pay
ment of the costs on my process, BAT
by paying the costs this embargo will
be raised. l. am only visited by thu
chaplain of the prison, who, besides be-
ing my confessor, is my best friend.
Thanks to him that seeing my grave
state of health l can write you this
letter.
"As 1 am strictly watched for my
political enemies you do not reveal to
anybody the most insignificant detail
of my secrecy. I trust in your discre-
tlon.
'If you are disposed to be the pro-
tector of my daughter | will call on &