Palma

Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)

TOMAS ESTRADA, a Cuban statesman and soldier, called the "Franklin of Cuba"; born in Bayamo, Santiago de Cuba, July 9, 1835. He was educated at Havana and studied law at the Unihe alversity of Seville, Spain. In 1867 lied himself with the patriots working for Cuban independence, became a leader and the bosom friend of Cespides and Aguilera, the first president and first vice-presid vice-president. When Cespides raised of revolt, Oct. 10, 1868, the standard Palma freed his slaves and aided the movement to the utmost. He took the field and his devoted mother shared the dangers of camp life with him. During his absence one day his detachment was surprised captured. by She the was Spanish compelled and his to mother walk the troops till she fell from ex- , and was abandoned in the , where her son found her, two later, starving. She died a few After the capture of Bayamo, Palma was elected to the Cuban assembly and became secretary of the republic under the presidency of Spoturno. On the resignation of Spoturno, the Cuban Assem sembly elected Palma president, March 29, 1876. He performed the duties of office with ability, but was, through treachery of a Cuban Cuban,, captured by force of . He was sent to Spain and imprisoned for a year in the castle of Fieuras. On the subsequent surrender of the revolutionists he was set at liberty and went first to Paris, and from there to New York. Later he went to the republic of Honduras, where he began work as a schoolmaster and became postmaster-general. He there married the daughter of President Guardiola and returned to the United States, where he settled in Orange co., New York. In July, 1895, he was elected delegate or president resident of the Associated Cuban clubs in the United States, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of José Marti. In September of the same year he was made or delegate plenipotentiary abroad of the republic of Cuba. On Dec. 31, 1901, he was elected first president of the new Cuban republic, was re-elected in 1906, but resigned. He died Nov. 4, 1908.