River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1890-09-04
BARRuNDiA'S DEATH.

Minister Miners Questionable Action In
Connection with His Murder by Guate-
malans White ON Board a UnIt.i States
Vessel Causes His Widow aud .,ht..E~u
to Appeal 20 President Harrison Tor
Reparation-A Daughter of the Dead
General Attempts to shoot the Ameri-
can Representative.
CITY OF MEXICO. Sept "A cipher
dispatch from Guatemala confirms the
news that General Jose Martin Barrun-
dia was murdered aboard the Pacific
Mail steamer Acapulco by authorities
% Guatemala. The advices say that
the Captain of the port, with nine Of
his guards, first boarded the steamer
and demanded the surrender of Bar
rundia, but Captain Pitts refused
to accede to the demand. and threat
ened that if they attempted to take Bar
rundia by force he would call for aid
from the United States man-of-war
Thetis, lying near. and that they would
first have to walk over his dead body.
The crew of the Acapulco stood in
readiness to repel any act of violence
on the part of the Captain of
the port and his guard, and after
some parleying the latter retired in
their boats and returned to the shore.
Several hours elapsed when they again
returned to the vessel, bearing an order
from Minister Miner for the imme-
date surrender of Barrundia. The
Captain was highly incensed at Mr..
MINERS action, and again protested
against the surrender of his passenger,
1 a
he was guaranteed that Barrundia's
life would be spared. The captain of
the port and his nine men then went 10
the state-room occupied by Barrundia and
stationed themselves about the door.
They knocked and when Barrundia
appeared all fired upon him and he
fell dead, seven bullets having pierced
his body. 1t was one of the most
cool blooded murders that mas occurred
in the annals of Guatemala, where life
is sacrificed SO cheaply. Captain Pitts
was Mortified and angry, Tut was pow
erless to act.
WASHINGTON. Sept. 2.-The State
Department is preparing TO investigate
the action of Minister Miner in Qua
temala in connection with the killing
of General Barrundia by Guatemalans
while on board the United States steam
er Acapulco. and claiming the protec-
ton of our flag.
CITY OF MExico, Sept. Following
is the full text of a cable sent from
Oaxala b. the widow aud children OF
General Barrundia to President Harri-
son:
The wife and children of Jose Martin Bar
rundia protest before you with the greatest in
eiAuation and sorrow that our beloved husband
and father has bsen vilely assassinatel
on board an American steamer at San
Jose, where he found under the
shelter of the American flag; and his
death, Illegally consummated by the Govern
ment Of Guatemala, is due TO the offcious and
eliminating cooperation Of Minister Miner,
who ordered the captain of the steamer to de-
liver up the General
I'VE protest before you against this saw ge
deed and We expect from your rectttude and
justice that you will demand due reparation for
the outrage, OF which we are the inconsolable
Victims"
The message was signed by Travitia
lIurteae, the widow, and Victoria, Mer-
cedes. Maria, Antonio, Dolores, Luz,
Octavia and Jose, the eight children of
the dead General. The talk of the city
is the shooting of Barrundia, who
lived here for many months,
and all wonder what action the
United States will take in the
case. Owing TO the incident repre-
sentative of the Spanish Transatlantic
Steamship Company here has APP
preached Geronimo Pou for the purpose
of having him communicate with his
Government regarding subsidy
for steamship line. which he de-
clares will be established between
San Francisco and Panama or on the Pa
cifc route of the Pacific Mail at an
early day, guaranteeing the safety
of passengers 1t is here believed
that the Pacific Mail has made
claim against Guatemala for
large decentralization for Barrundia's
death.
CITY OF GUATEMALA, Sept "A
daughter of General Martin Barrundia,
who was shot to death in the cabin of
the Pacific Mail steamship Acapulco at
San Jose de Guatemala last week. at
tempted to shoot United States Minister
Miner Monday. He was at his desk
when the young woman came into his
Office. AS the Minister looked up from
his work she was standing within four
feet of him with a revolver in her hand.
With flashing eyes she accused him of
having been directly the cause of her
fathers death, and announced that she
meant 10 kill him. Mr.. Miner took
the matter coolly and tried to reason
with the girl, who was apparently
almost crazed with excitement, and
in the most tragic manner poured
on him the bitterest invective of
which the Spanish language is ca
pable.
The intended victim kent her in con-
versation, however, until assistance ar
rived and the pistol was taken from the
woman. Throughout the entire excit-
ing int. view Mr.. Miner maintained
the utmost GOODNESS. though the only
thing between him and the muzzle of a
pistol held in the hands of a woman
who evidently intended to shoot was
heavy law book. His GOODNESS unques-
tionably saved his life.
As soon as President Barillas heard
of the occurrence he sent his respects
and offered the powers of his Govern
ment to protect the American legation.
MIR. Miner, however, declined the offer,
will not prosecute the lady, and insists
that no further notice shall be taken of
the affair.
Action of American ConsuIs.
10 ,prc Go,+ o Tho Iourpo1 OHfc;al