JUSTO ARMAS: A SALVADOREAN TRUE LEGEND.

The people that lived in the city of San Salvador, El Salvador during the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century, were surprised and curious to see a very elegantly dressed but barefooted gentleman walking the cobblestoned streets of the city. Curiosity grew, because it was widely affirmed the gentleman in question, known as don Justo Armas, was the Archduke of Austria, Ferdinand Maximilian, who during approximately three years wore the Imperial Crown of Mexico, backed by Napoleon III of France. Maximilian was finally deposed by Mexican Nationalists and condemned to death by firing squad. However, when his body arrived in Austria, it was reported his mother exclaimed upon viewing it: "This is not my son!" Some people believe that Maximilian - a freemason - was secretly pardoned by Benito Juarez, then President of Mexico and also a freemason; arranging the deposed Emperor's escape to Central America.
Justo Armas was a real person, no doubt about it. He appeared in
San Salvador late in the 19th century and quickly gained access to
many of the prominent families in Salvadorean society - including
the Lardés - who were wealthy and well connected.

John Nash, the mathematician depicted in the movie "A Beautiful Mind" received during the years he was struggling with schizophrenia the support from his wife, Alicia Lardé. It was not mentioned in the film that Alicia was Salvadorean, but the book on which the film was based does mention the connection and includes a few intriguing facts about members of the Lardé family. Following these clues leads to the enigmatic figure of don Justo Armas.

He had exquisite European manners and spoke fluent, educated German and other languages. He was able to establish a catering service which supplied food, drink and use of first class tableware,including silver utensils of which he had a considerable inventory.
His catering service was almost mandatory at the major social events of San Salvador.
In addition to catering, he gave classes in manners and etiquette to young ladies from the leading families.
He always appeared elegantly dressed and groomed - and barefoot. It was said he had made a vow to the Virgin Mary that he would never wear shoes if his life was spared in a precarious situation he once was. Speculation pointed at his impending execution in Mexico.
Don Justo Armas lived in San Salvador from 1898 until his death in 1936.