The morning call., 1890-05-16
TRUE TO HIS COLORS.
A Romance of Mexican RevOlu.
ton Revived.
Consul Coney Saves the President When in
Danger and Is Remembered - His
Case in the Police Court

The trial of A. S. Mendez and Manuel S,
Facio, accused of conspiracy to blackmail
Alexander X. Coney, the Mexican Consul.
was begun yesterday in Judge Joachim
sens court before jury. The Prosecuting
Attorney was assisted by Attorneys Dibble
and Campbell, and George A. Knight and
Clarence Gray represented the defendants.
There seemed to be presentiment of
trouble, which began in the hostility and
rabid aspect of the opening statements on
both Sides Attorney Dibble asserted that
he would show that the defendants had
conspired to injure Consul and Mrs Coney
by preferring false charges against them in
the Federal courts, because of Coney's re-
fusal to give them positions in his office and
hush money as we'll
Attorney Knight said he would show that
Coney obtained his position as Consul by
secreting President Diaz on vessel of
which he was purser Clarence Gray added
that it would be proved to the satisfaction
of the jury that Mendez and Facio were
being prosecuted because they were friends
of Ignacio de Ia Tore, who had been ex-
posing the way in which Americans are
maitreated in Mexico. De Ia Tore is
brother-in-law of the Consul and was his
friend once, but is no longer. The trouble
between them has all been related in THE
CALL.
THE CoNsUL's STORY.
Consul Coney was called to testify. He
related his experience with Facio. On
one occasion Facio met the Consul on the
street and invited him to his rooms. The
Consul declined the invitation.
Well, l have been waiting year for
you. you thief, you scoundrel, and if you
don't come | will have you sent to San
Quentin" Facio stated, SO the witness said
Attorney Knight interrupted the exami-
nation by Directing to question as to what
are the duties of the Chancellor of the Con-
sulate, as the Chancellor. Ignacio de la
Tore, was in no way connected with the
present false" charges.
The prosecution desired to show that De
la Tore was not appointed Chancellor by
the Consul, but by the President.
Consul COney recommended the appoint
ment of De la Tore, who was then in
Guadalajara, Mexico, in Straitened cir
cumstances, with family Of nine child rem.
De la Tore retained his Office until Janu-
AIRY l, 1890, when he resigned, believing that
he was about to be dismissed. He was a
brOther-in-laH of Conveys by marriage, but
had been talking of Coney and Mrs Coney.
MendeZ was the "tittle-tattle of the consul
ate" and carried these stories about. De la
Tore was short in his account $780, A few
months after leaving the con Sulate De la
Tore went to Mexico.
Cross-eXamined by Attorney Knight wit
ness said he was in Guadalaiara when ap-
pointed Consul. Previously he had been a
puTSer on Mexican steamer. On trip
from New Orleans to Mexico he first met
President DiaZ, who was travelling in dis
guse to escape from faction of political
IeVolutl0nists.
PRICE ON HIS HEAD.
Four hundred soldiers were in pursuit of
DlaZ and boarded the steamer in search of
('Dlnnpl in m ND
made formal demand on the captain for
The object of the soldiers search, who, he
was informed, was passenger on the
vessel.
A price of $4,000 was set upon Diaz's
head, dead or alive.
The then purser, Coney, was well aware
of the fact. but could not be tempted by
the offer. lie was approached by the
Colonel.
I'VE have come for the body of Diaz,
VINO Is among the passengers" said the
visit.
" There is no such person on board" re-
piled Coney.
" We are informed that he is a passenger
in disguise" replied the Colonel.
a minute description Of the man was
given the purSer
oh, yes" was the reply; "he jumped
overheard and L saw him swimming toward
the shore short time since"
Inc regiment was ordered ashore in all
haste, and once on land was divided into
plckets along the beach, ready to pounce
upon their prey as SOON as he appe AIRED
from the waves.
A BROTHER MASON.
But Diaz never reached the shore line.
The Colonel and his men were outwtted by
Coney. Diaz was securely slowed away
from mortal sight in the secret darkness of
the vessels hold, and had been so slowed
away by the purser.
And now, sir, why did you shield Diaz
and deceive the soldiers of your country ?"
was asked by Attorney Knight.
because he was brother Mason" Con-
sui Coney remarked in matter-of-fact
manner. as If conscious of having done no
more than a duty.
Hem" muttered the attorney, medita-
lively. 80 you did it all because he was
brother Mason"
The attorney had evidently not expected
the reply and looked q trifle disconnected.
but continued his examination.
Dlaz did swim ashore subsequently,. and
succeeded in reaching the City of Mexico
and his political friends in safety, although
his enemies were watching to assassipate
him. a little while later and he won politI-
cal preference in his country and was
elected President.
In return for the protection of the nm
known purser the President gratefully gave
Coney Consulate.
Further hearing of the case was continued
until this afternoon