The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1912-08-16

w. Ada, brigantine OF 300
EA TONS and got general car
= No go for Rosario bT-zl
the River Parava. From
Rosario went 100 miles
up the river to ST. Stephens and took on a car
go OF wheat for Rio Janeiro. While the cargo
was being unloaded my expectant eye distin-
guished signs of nice little revolution which
was just being shaped up SO sold my ship and
took quarters at the Hotel Freitas to watch
developments.
When the last emperor Of Brazil. Dom
Pedro II. was dragged out of bed at night
land deported without the firing of shot. in
the peaceful revolution" of November 10,
1882 Deodora da Fonseca made presi-
dent Before his weakness had become
apparent he made constitutional presi-
dent, and F1oriano Peixotto elected
vicepresident. Deodoro's policy weak
and vacillating. and his popularity waned
rapidly. A revolution had been quietly
formed by Floriano the vicepresident.
He soon had the army at his back and
gained the support of Admiral Mello, ranking
officer of the Brazilian navy. and Admiral Sol
danha da Cana, commandant of the naval acad-
envy. They brought matters to a head on the
morning of November g. 1891 Melo took up
n position at the foot of the main street OF Rio
in the cruiser Riachuelo the finest ship in the
navy. trained his guns on the palace Itumary.
open fire on him In two hours IL he did not
abdicate in favor of Floriano. Deodoro abd
Gated in two minutes. dropping dead soon
afterward from heart disease, and F!oriano
proclaimed president.
Before he had time to get his new chair
well warmed he had a row with Mello. who
considered that he rightfully entitled to
be the power behind the throne.
Mello worked chiefly among naval officers.
lett 70 IF Gan Dadrn md fho
Cathoiic clergy. and in the end they all became
Ibis allies
AS Mello's plot shaped up 1 began to
poet that his real purpose was to restore
Dom Pedro to the throne and make himself
the power behind It.
1t was amusing to watch the development Of
Msllo's revolution. One would have thought
two friendly leaders were planning rival
prise parties, In which there was to be nothing
more serious than the throwing of confetti.
1t was along In July Of August. 1898, that
Mello sent for me and expressed wish that
d 60 down to Santa Catarina island, of the
southern coast of Brazil, and blow up the
Republica, the one Brazilian warship whose
ofncers had far remained loyal to F1oriano.
While We were still negotiating l received
. call from OF Floriano's aids. who asked
me to accompany him to the palace. He took
me in the rear entrance and up back stairway
to F1orianos private saa where. after present
ing me. he left me. alone with the president.
IL understand" said Foriano. that you
were in Venezuela with President Guzman and
have had military training and experience.
THAT is correct sir"
II am told too, that you have made study
of high explosives and have invented remark
able torpedo"
THAT is also true"
Would you be willing to undertake
mission that would involve considerable
danger but for which you would be we'll paid?
Il am open to anything except vulgar assas
anation That Is my business"
What you charge for your services?'
THAT depends entirely on the nature of the
work"
Consider yourself. then. In the service O.
Brazil
A few days later the revolution was declared
under conditions such would look To-
on TIE lightopera stage but never in real life
not even In South America On the eveniny
of September g. F1oriano went to the opera
accompanied by Mello, Sodanha and severa
other officers OF the army and navy. and the
all sat together In the presidential box Nell
and Soldanha excused themselves after tn
second act They left their cloaks In the bo
and said they would be back in few mir
utes Knowing full WEI the reason of thei
departure F1oriano bowed them out with a
dronical excess OF politeness.
At daybreak Mello seized all OF the go,
eminent shipping in the bay and announce
a blockade of Rio harbor. He then Sci
word 10 Floriano that II he did not abdicat
without naming his successor. by for
O'Clock that afternoon. he would bombar
the city.
Floriano's reply was emphatic refus
10 abdicate. and precised at four ocloc
Asllo answered 1t with shell from
lthree-inch gum which exploded near the Anne
ltAe next week Mello fired 40 so shots In
the city every day. but they did little damag
Very soon after the firing OF the first she
italian English, German. Austrian and Port
,guese warships appeared at Rio. ostersibiy
protect the rights OF their citizens
About week after the firing OF the fr
ishot / was my way to the water front
witness the regular afternoon duel between Z
iAquiGaban and Fort Santa Cruz. when W
Iovertaken by government carriage. and Co