The Washington herald., 1910-04-08
Sends PitifuI Plea.

Sends Pittful Plea.
It was a month and a day ago that the
sufferer sent his pitiful plea. and in that
time his friend has made heroic efforts 20
find him. but his whereabouts remain a
mystery
Probably he died from lack Of food or
perhaps unexpected good fortune turned
the tide in his favor. but what his luck
has been is unknown to the anxious
friend who has not abandoned the
search.
The man is an old resident of Wash
ington and was formerly a painter and
interior decorator His name is F. NJ.
Huertas. and he Is said TO be more than
fifty years old.
Huertas and the man 10 whom he
sent the letter were friends in boyho0d
days, but when they reached manhood
their ways parted, and the time came
when they seldom saw or heard Of each
other. Then the friend lost track of
Huertas, and finally came TO believe the
painter was dead.
The letter came like a voice from the
grave" While endeavoring 10 locate
Huertas, the friend unearthed several
facts concerning the life of the painter.
The friend learned that Huertas was at
one time in business with J. W. p. Muir
ply and II. G. MCGEE The firm was
known as Huertas. Murphy & MCGEE,
but where their business was located has
not been learned. The partnership was
dissolved years ago.
Neither Murphy nor MCGEE was found
by Huertas friend, although he searched
the city foI days. and men who follow
their craft In Washington do not remen-
Der either OF the three. Public records
contain no account CO the existence Of
the firm. it is said.
The man who has been active in be-
half of Huertas requested that his name
be kept from the public. but he fur
nished The Washington Herald with
copy of the letter written by Huertas.
believing publicity might aid in locating
him. The letter follows:
Text of Letter.
Washington. d. c.. March :, 1910.
Dear Friend: met with an accident last summer
Of which you probably have not heard. l fell from
scaffcld and was seriously injured sustaining
fracture Of the skull ana right wrist.
haven't been able to hold Job since In fact,
have been laid Of every job obtained after work
ing a day or tyo. l couldn't hold my end up and
you remember in the old days no man was better
than J.
Mother is eighty years Old now and an invalid
l. worse than invalid. am her sole support. We
have sold everything even our clothes. Ny uTercoat
Went last wees but / didn't mind. for ! don't
think I viii ever need it again. But that means
q obtaining money Is exhausted.
Il I was only Part Of my old self there might
be a spark Of hope left But | am suffering from
a nervous breakdown. complete wreck, and have
found that / also sustained internal injuries when
fell from tho scafOld.
] am III the depths Of despair for l realize some
thing must be done at once. IL not. die Of
starvation But l have scheme which may help
mother 10 longer care about myself
] will sell my body to be delivered after death.
to any medical school physician for so Maybe
It VIII be worth more maybe less. But We need
the money and the room rent must be paid.
Mother has been very sick with pneumonia and
grippe and she needs attention at once.
Felt Pangs of Hunger.
We have felt the pinch Of hunger this winter
and once We went five days without a bite. II
nearly kills me TO think Of mother suffering 50
while I who always made $3.50 a day, lie near
By helpless For Gods sake, help Us
Before Close, friend, let me say that whisky
did not do this have never touched drop Of
liquor n my life. I remain. sincerely yours,
f. NJ. HUERTAS.