Morning journal and courier., 1890-09-13
BARnUNDIA,s DEATH.

|
 A Detailed Account Of How the Gen-
 eral Was Kflled-Story of an Eye- | Witness-Amertcans on Board the Ship Indignant at the Whole Ar l fair.
 NEW YORK, Sept. .12.-The Pacific Mail
 steamer Colon arrived to-day, bringing
 some of the passengers who were on board the steamer Acapulco at the time when General Barrundia was killed by Guatema-
 Ian officers while the vessel lay in the har-
 bor of San Jose. An eyewitness gives this
 story of the tragedy: The steamer Acupul- co left San Francisco August 13. On her arrival at Acapulco, Mex, General Barrun- dia, ex-minister of war of Guatemala, came on board from the Starbuck, sister ship. He was known to be hostile to the present government of Guatemala, and it was un- derstood that he was on his way to San Salvador. He was attended by two men as body guard. When the ship arrived at Champerio, Guatemala, the authorities, who had been warned that Barrundia was aboard, at once sent off two boat loads of soldiers and demanded his surrender.
 Captain Pitts peremptorily refused D accede to the demand and an attempt w.s made to coerce him by withdrawing h., clearance papers, but after detention C: twenty-four hours the vessel was permit ted to resume her course. This was on August 27, and the same evening the steamer arrived at San Jose. No sooner had the Acapulco cast anchor than two shore to keep close watch that no one without proper credentials should leave the vessel for the shore. Within pistol shot of where the Acapulco lay were two United States gunboats. Captain Pitts had telegraphed to their commanding off cers from Champerico requesting assist ance, but his dispatch was not de- ivered Now he made personal appeal for help. The response was that the men, of-war could do nothing without an order from the port captain. Next day the ship was again invaded by the com mandant of a special force of men, accom- panied by another boat load of soldiers. This time the Guatemalan officers came furnished with an "order of arrest" signed by American Minister Mizner. The com mandant produced his papers and made formal demand for the delivery of General Barrundia. Then he directed that all the cabin passengers be ordered below. When this order had been executed the entire force of Guatemalan officers proceeded to General Barrundia's room, Captain Pitts going with them. Captain Pitts, after deprecating the necessity of surrendering his passenger to the authorities, began to read the order for the generals met them at the door, but at once alvin ing that all was over he reached into his room for his revolvers and with the remark Every good" he fired. The ball just missed Captain Pitts who, together with his cemmandant, ran to his room, locked the door and hid under the bed, leaving the man-hunting to the special officers Barr india was a short-sighted man and being very nervous was unable to do any damage, though he chased them in and out of the saloon, firing wildly. At last the officers dropped him from diff ferent points, riddled with shot, on the hurricane deck. About forty shots were fired in all The brave commandant there upon came from his hiding place, walked up to the dead man and fired in his skull. The dead body was rolled up in piece of canvas, bundled down the gangway into one of the boats and con veyed ashore to be sent to Guate- mala where it was inferred the next day The old boats conveying the gallant perpetrators of the deed, their revolvers openly displayed in their hands, made a detour round by the United States war ships on their way to the shore. As they left the ship some smilingly waved their hands, and one placed his thumb to his nose and extended the other fingers in a familiar and well known manner. Still the incident was not over. The Guatemalans had to wipe their feet little more on the suffering ship, and she was not allowed to proceed until the baggage belonging to Barrundia had been searched, presumably for evidence discriminating others. This was submitted to-the gunboats still silent and sleepy hundred yards away. Indeed, at the time of the tragedy, an officer from one of them was aboard the Acapulco.
 When General Barrundia had first come aboard his baggage had been searched and his arms, consisting of two revolvers, a sword and a dagger, had been taken charge of by the captain; but somehow, after the affray six other revolvers and about forty rounds of cartridges were found. Barrun- dia's bodyguard at the commencement of the fighting had run below, and been locked up for safety. The steamer was finally allowed to proceed. The Americans aboard were indignant at the whole affair.
 Ugly rumors were afoat that money had had influence in securing the surrender of the man. Captain Pitts was considered partly excusable for his action, seeing that he had applied in vain to the warships fo- assistance, and that he was confronted with an order from the American minister. At the same time the feeling prevailed that Jose as he did at Champerico, Barrundia would not have bean shot. The passengers condemned the action os the men-of- war nfM