The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-12-31
p E r y ;.
ASSASSINATION OF GENERAL MEL laElo
Particulars Of the Tragedy-The Cause, :. Wo-
mana Curious Family History-A Faith
less Mistress and Modern Timon-
Political and General News

Political and General News
LIMA NOV. q, 1871.
1t would seem that we are destined to witness the
continuation OF disagreeably exciting scenes IN this
usually monOtonous city. Our last sensation Is the
assassination OF General Mariana Melgarejo, late
Dictator and President OF neighb0r, Bolivia,
on the night OF the 23d inst. The part OF heavy
villain In the tragedy performed by the Gene
RAILS son.in-law, General Jose Aureio Sanchez, o
Bolivian officer, and, together with Melgareo. an
exile in Peru. The facts OF the unfortunate occur
renee are simply these For long time past
serious family misunderstandings have existed be-
tween the two Generals, which will hereafter ex-
PLAIN, and lawsuit which Melgarej0 had instituted
In the Peruvian courts against Sanchez was decided
in favor OF the former. Nevertheless Sanchez,
avaiIng himself or the nterminable bubbles OF the
law managed to delay the execution OF Judgment.
and by this wrought the passionate nature OF
Melgarejo up to q pitch or frenzy. lie had
repeatedly declared his intention OF exterminating
Sanchez and his family, especially since his daugh-
ter married to the murderer. had left his bed and
board and had resided for some time with her
father. On the night referred to MelgareJo-always
more or less under the influence OF strong drink,
for since his overthrow and expulsion from Bolivia
he has become almost savage In hls habis-took
COaCu anu, proceeding 10 ono Oh tue aTmOTeTS
shops in the Gale de Pateros. purchased for
mldabe seven shooter, which he there ana then
ordered to be carefully charged. Directing the
driver to take him to the house OF Sanchez he
speedily arrived at his destination, but only to find
that the doors were securely barred against him,
some OF Sanchezs friends having given warning OF
the hostile movements OF the General. Neverthe-
less he aghted from the coach, and, rushing down
an aey-way at the side of the house, endeavored to
enter by back door. This was also closed by the
ladies OF the family, who took this oppor-
tunity OF escaping to the street, Already a
large numuer OF persons, attracted by
the furious cries of Melgarejo had gathered
around the principal entrance Of the house, and
even one or two policemen were calmly witnessing
the scene. Sanchez, thoroughly alarmed arose
from sick bed where he had laid for some days,
hastily dOnnsd some clothes, and,
SEEING A REVOLVER,
ran in the direction of the disturbance. He met
Megarejo the front door, wnlther the General had
returned after his Intellectual efforts at the OF the
house. and without waiting for further parley seeing
the desperate anger which governed his adversary,
fired. The ball took fatal effect, passing through
the forehead and brain of the victim. Although
Melgarejo was staggering from the shock and about
| to fall, Sanchez, in order to make death douby
sure. again snot at him. and this time effected
other fatal wound, In the windplpe. During all this
| no interference was attempted by the bystandcrs,
the x-Dictator fell heavily to the ground. lie
| was Immediately carried to q neighboring drug
| gst's and while the physicians in attendance were
| endeavoring 10 alleviate his condition priest
| was sent for, who performed the last rites
/ OF the Church over the dying man. The
scene was really painful and impressive. MeIgareo
| noted always for his enormous size and stature,
was stretched along the marble counter OF the
| shop, while active and charitable hands were
simultaneously ministerng to his spiritual and
| terial wants All was in vain, and after removing
him TO his own house. situated near by, ne died
| within an hour. sanchez Immediately gave him
committed for trial. -
THE ASSASSIN AND THE VICTIM
The relations between tue two were OF the most
sinsa.ar descripton and form one or the most IN
accession 10 supreme power IN Bolivia he became
the capital, named Juan8 Sanchez, whom he
| induced to become his mistress, and whose lnflu-
ence over his usually lndomltabe spirit was remark.
the assassin, general in the bolivian service, and
not satisfied with this mark OF distinction. gave
the newly -nedged officer MS tavorte daIgn-
stronger. between the families Melgarejo's son
his father's mistress. Now, to determine the
grade OF connection between Megarejo and
spondent calls upon the and Of the Herald Coese
| All went on smoothly enough in Bolivia until the
storm OF levUlu6 51s SET IN against MsgareJo ana
| rule suferlngs ne endured IRON fall from his
horse sanchez the man, ana Sanchez, tne woman
continued faithful and at the side OF the benefacor
1atherin.law and lover. AT last however, after he
had lavshed presents OF great value upon his mis-
tresS ana mad enriched the whole clan OF the
Sanchez, the decisive battle Of La Paz took place.
| where Melgarejo's forces were finally routed and
where the hitherto successful cheftain was COM
PEELED to lily Tor his lile Deserted Dy all whom he
had generously projected he reached the friendly
| and almost pcnnless. From mat time to the mo-
ment OF ms death MS object was to regain the pro-
| perty winch he had connded
TO THE CARE OF HIS MISTRESS,
| and upon the proceeds o. portion OF which she
eeru Ae rrom ie lawsus which he piaaed apa,ps
them for the recovery OF his Jewels proceeded THIS
iatal termination. Goaded TO madness by the re-
| smiles, mad suddenly heaped upon him with ruth
less hand. ne gave himself up TO habits Of ntoxca
ton and debauchery anu was constantly seen IN
Lima III the COMPANY OF the most degraded pros.I-
lutes OF the Town. Yet such a violent and savage
character could but meet with such tragic emf.
HIS personal enemies were innumeraDie, ana III no
part OF Peru or Bolivia was mis- lie secure Gaining
the supreme power In BOLIVIA by the ASSASSINATION
| OF President BelZu with ms own hand anu wnile
| Bezu was surrounded ~ hs Cabinet III the govern
| ment house, he has met his oSn tate through the
same fearful means. Melgare,o's character Is an
| anomaly. Ono aay generous and eyeh noble IN his
cution OF innocent men on the most insignificant
preteXts in the public square OF his capital.
he would squandor the revenues OF the nation ia
Dacchanai reverics worthy OF tue Pare des Ccris.
hut now IN tragedy IS over. ami the curtain Il
down. Out or respecI 10 his Invarable adherence
TO the cause OF the alned republics against SPAN,
during his term Dictator vi BOLIVIA, the govern
ment Peru paid to has memory the luneraI hon0rs
accorded TO neld marshal Ilree thousand troops
accompanied his remains TO their ina! resng place.
ana his drgc was sung TO the roar OF artillery, ~
which, IN life, ms spirit was so devoted.
THE POPULAR INDIGNATION
against General sanchez Is very great when his
treatment OF and obligations toward his victim
taken INTO considerations: still the lawyers declare
that only verdict OF jiistnable homicide eau DC
rendered. the property over which there mas been
much contention has been handed over ~ the
authorities, and will await the ultimate decision or
The courts MelgarcJo's family, now IN Lima, are
reduced TO extreme poverty; this time year snce
the crisis OF their fate In La Paz being decided
with lance anu rife. Melgarej0 was about fifty
years or age, OF mixed Indian and white descent.