The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-23
THE GUATEMALAN TYRANT.
How Barrios nied-A Despot Who Brought
Order Out Of Confusion.

SenorS Enrique Vizcano and Il. L. menuoza,
of Mexico, were registered at the Gait House
yesterday. They were on their way home via
New Orleans, from a visit to New York. Senior
yizcaino, handsome and welldressed young
gentleman had travelled over Guatemala, and
was personally acquainted with its celebrated
president, Barrios.
Private advices received just before left
New York assure me of his DEATH said the
Senior. His body was found under heap Of
slain on the battlefield He had received five
wounds-two gunshot and three sword thrusts.
Evidently he had died fighting as bravely as he
lived One of his sons Antonio, is being edu-
Gated at West Point, and a few days before
came there had gone to Washington to see the
minister from Guatemala. The minister had no
more definite information than was contained in
the newspapers, and young Barrios went back to
West Point. The information received OF the
Presidents death came through friends in Qua
temala, and is perfectly reliable
ssBarrios was great man with all his faults.
On recent visit to Guatemala, was introduced
80 him, and found him man of the world,
polished, entertaining and very affable. 1 have
seldom met more pleasant companion He
medium height and stoutly built His complex
ion was swarthy, of course, and he wore a
mustache. His features were handsome and ex-
pressive Of his ability and determined will. AS
well as I could Judge, he was forty or perhaps
forty five years of age, certainly not more than
'$he latter figure
"He executed the laws as relentlessly as he
crushed his enemies Under his administration
ne brought the State out of its demoralized con-
dition, exterminated the thieves and brigands
who infested the country, and made life and
property IS safe as in Europe. In the city Of
'Guatemala when was there no one thought it
necessary to lock the doors at night. So rlgidly
had the laws against crime been enforced that 1t
was said purse might be dropped IN the streets
with the certainty of its being restored to the
owner if he could be found. The President also
made education compulsory, and did everything
else in his power to enlighten the people This
was rather objected to by the Catholic priests.
They had the ignorant people completely under
their control, and feared their influence would
be weakened with the diffusion of knowledge.
''The President tolerated no opposition. and,
indeed was much an autocrat as the Gar of
all the Russias. The people were afraid to speak
his name above whisper When his enemies
fell into his power he was merciless. The main
offenders were always executed, and the trivial
zones logged and banished. Not long ago thirty
a
the government They were arrested one day,
and on the next taken out and each and every
one shot. The most trif1ing act of opposition
Mas construed into crime and arbitrarily
punished. A friend of mine had the misfortune
to fall under his displeasure He belonged to
athe party In opposition to the government It
had adopted a banner of its own device, and once,
when he went out driving he was foolish enough
20 place one of the small flags in hishorses head.
he was arrested Immediately after his return,
ANd unv 1cu erfva 1ach and hapiS cd
He was terribly indignant. and vowed to take
the life of Barrios if eyer he went out Of Guate-
mala. Poor fellow, he was killed some months
ago by the explosion of a boiler in a sugar mill.
lie had no opportunity to keep his VOW Of
vengeance.
'Barrios was in constant expectation of being
Sassassnated, though of the greatest personal
courage. In consequence, he constantly en-
ployed spies, and the secret service of Guatemala
was maryclously systematic. Not thing of
importance could be said or done in any part
rof the State without being conveyed to his ears.
The surveillance was unceasing, and yet strangers
were never molested. 1t was the Presidents
policy to encourage immigration, and he was re-
markabiy easy of access to foreigners, though 1t
was difficult for the natives to obtain an audi
ence.
1.-THE stories about his marrying the daughter
of wealthy citizen against the wishes of her.
self and father are unfounded. He was married
long before he became prominent in public lfe
and his father inlaw, though of good family
was only moderately well to do. He never Oh
5ected to Barrios, and the marriage had no un-
usual features. His name was Aparicio, and his
daughter was called Francisco. She is beauti-
full woman, and said to be greatly attached to
her ambitious husband. The latter's rise dates
back only about twelve years, when the death
OF the President, during a revolution, brought
HIM to the front. He suppressed the rebellion,
and, securing his own election to the presidency,
kept tight hold on it ever afterward, being re-
elected at the expiration of each term. He
tad To ho do Einor hy1fh ac hat
not be done, and with consummate art relin-
pushed the bold project. AS President he re-
ceived yearly salary of $50, 900 and had control
of all the revenues. Whether dishonest or not,
i never learned, but he was reported very
wealthy. He owned fine house in New York
city. and it is currently believed that he had an
immense deposit in the Bank of England.
Guatemala is city of about 10000 inhabit-
ants. The houses are only one story high on &C.
count OF the numerous earthquakes but some
are very handsome. The city has magnificent
hotel which is very popular with the travelling
public. 1t was built by wealthy citizen for his
private residence, but upon his death was con-
verted to its present uses. The streets are well
constructed, and railroad is nearly finished
from San Jose on the sea coast, a distance Of
eighty-four miles. 1t has been built as far as
Escuintla some time.
"The city of Guatemala is the third capital Of
the republic. The two others were destroyed by
earthquakes. The second, La Antigua, was stu
sated only twelve miles distant. and has been re-
built, though all the houses, the capitol alone
excepted, were destroyed by the earthquake
The capitol, fine building is yet standing, and
La Antigua has now 20, 900 inhabitants.
From my conversation with people, 1
learned that many favored the ambitious
schemes of Barrios. The opposition arose
from their dread of his increasing power. His
schemes undoubtedly have benefited the repub-
1icS which are now so weak and insignificant.
Guatemala stands at the head, with population
of ], 900, 900, and next in commercial Importance
is Costa Rica. San Salvador and Nicaragua
are next, and Honduras, the smallest is no
larger than Rhode Island, yet it has repre-
sentative government like the rest The presi-
dents Of these miniature governments are all
very jealous of Barrios, and it is through them
the opposition to the confederation has chiefly
GOMEZ