The residents of Hackensack, New Jersey, prepared a hero’s welcome in December 1909 for one of their own who had just escaped death in a Brazilian prison. George Vice, son of Mrs. Leonore Vice, was “one of three young men who were condemned to death by the Brazilian government” before being freed through urgent American diplomatic intervention.

The Doomed Expedition

The international incident began in November 1908 when Vice, along with Samuel Parker of New York and a man named Pfornbecker, departed New York as part of an expedition led by Sebastian Magali. The three young men had been recruited under the belief they were joining a legitimate mining venture that “promised wonderful success.” Vice and Parker, who both held positions in the Public Service office, had no idea they were walking into what Brazilian authorities would later characterize as an attempt to capture their nation.

Magali, the expedition’s charismatic leader, harbored grand ambitions that went far beyond mining operations. He had assembled his team of Americans with promises of profitable mineral extraction, but his true vision involved something far more audacious—what the Newark Evening Star described as his “dream of capturing Brazil.”

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one of three young men who were condemned to death by the Brazilian government

— Newark Evening Star And Newark Advertiser, December 6, 1909

Capture and Condemnation

When Brazilian forces captured the expedition members, the full scope of Magali’s plans became clear to authorities. The young Americans found themselves facing the ultimate penalty for their unwitting participation in what the Brazilian government viewed as a serious threat to national sovereignty. The death sentences handed down sent shockwaves through their families back home and triggered a frantic diplomatic rescue effort.

Mrs. Alice De Wolf, connected with the office of Prosecutor Wright in Hackensack, emerged as a key figure in mobilizing American authorities. Her efforts to “rouse the Washington authorities to action” proved crucial in bringing the case to the attention of Secretary of State Knox, whose office ultimately secured the men’s freedom through diplomatic channels.

Diplomatic Victory

The successful intervention represented a significant achievement for American diplomatic efforts in South America during the early 20th century. The case demonstrated the U.S. government’s commitment to protecting its citizens abroad, even when they had become entangled in politically sensitive situations. Secretary Knox’s office navigated the delicate task of securing the Americans’ freedom while respecting Brazilian sovereignty and justice concerns.

The release of the three men also highlighted the growing importance of rapid international communication in resolving diplomatic crises. The ability to coordinate between Hackensack, Washington, and Brazil within a matter of weeks rather than months proved essential to saving the condemned Americans’ lives.

Why It Still Matters

This 1909 diplomatic rescue established precedents for how the U.S. State Department handles cases involving Americans detained abroad on serious charges. The intervention model used to free Vice, Parker, and Pfornbecker continues to inform consular services and diplomatic protocols that protect American citizens traveling in foreign countries today, from routine legal troubles to complex international incidents.

Sources

• Newark Evening Star And Newark Advertiser, December 6, 1909 — Library of Congress