The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-09-15
FROM MINERS BROTHER.
First Authentic News Relative to the
BarrnndIa Affair.

Barrundia Affair.
The first authentic news from Minister
Miner relative to the Barrundia affair in
Guatemala was received here Saturday by
lis son, DR.. William G. Miner, the letter
having arrived by the steamer San Bias. 1t
was written by DR.. MINERS elder brother,
who, with Mrs. Miner and younger son,
has been with the Minister since he went
to Guatemala in May of last year. The
Hosmer referred to in the letter is the
American Consul at San Jose de Guatemala
and Mr.. Leverick is the agent OF the Pacific
Mail Steamship Company. The letter, which
in some details explains points that friends
of the Minister have been anxious to learn,
is here given, with the exception of a few
sentences relating to private affairs:
LEGATION UNITED STATES OF ANERICAl
IN CENTRAL AMERICA,
GUATEMALA, August 80 1880.
Dear Wiitidm-I returned here on the 29th
on account of the war. just have time to write
you few lines 10 explain 10 you the BarTnndia
affair. so that you may correct any crazy ac-
counts That may crawl mo the papers.
On The evening of the 25th we received word at
this legation that Barrunda was on the Pacific
Mail steamer Acapulco, and that the Guatemala
authorities wished to arrest him at Champetlco
as an enemy 10 his country, as II was evident
that he was on his way TO Salvador TO night
against Guatemala. On The morning OF the 10Th
a telegram came to the legation from Mr.. Souza,
Consular Agent at ChampsTico. saying that
Captain Pitts wished TO know II The Guatemala
officers had ~ hight 10 take Barrundla of his
ship" AS the Minister had gone to Salvador on
tue Ranger Mr.. Hosmer at once answered that,
according 10 International law, Guatemala had
Z perfect right 10 take him. as the ship was IN
Guatemalan waters. Ii seems Captain Pitts
thought that this telegram was forgery and
refused TO give him up and so came into the port
Of san Jose on the evening OF The 2Ith, with
BarIunda still on board.
i was at tile port AT the time, having gone down
to see Henry off for New York Father had re-
turned TO Guatemala on the evening OF the &c b.
AS soon tile ship came In the Comandante
and his men went aboard and demanded their
man. The captain refused 10 give him up until
he had received his orders from this legation In
black and while, the Comandante and his
men al once returned on shore. Captain Keller
of The Ranger at once telegraphed 10 The lega-
zion, stating that he knew Guatemala had per-
feet right take BarTundia, but wished the
Minister to ask per mission OF the Gudlemalan
Government TO allow The Thetis 10 take Barrun-
dia back To Mexico.
This the President would not hear to; so the
tram that arrived In the port at o'clock 10 the
afternoon on the 27th had on board papers from
the legation for Captain Puts, explaining to him
the International law. and showing TO him that 1t
was his duty 10 give Barrundia w, aud also stat
ing that the Government Of Guatemala had filed
The legation a guarantee for the perfect safety
OF Mr.. Barfundla. and also stating that the Pres
ident had promised tile American Minister. per-
sonaIly, that Mr. Barruudias life would be In no
danger. Captain Fits accompanied by the Co.
mandante, both armed, went 10 Barfundlas
staleroom, leaving some eight or ten OF the
Comandaute's police further back on the deck,
The state-rOom on the upper deck. He
stood III The doorway and listened 10 the docu-
ment read, and then asked for time TO put on his
coat.
He turned and reached In the upper berth and
drew theTeirom Two large Colts revoyers. Pitts
ana the Comandante at once flew aud hid In
another state-room, ard Barrunoia charged up
aud down the deck, firing wildly, aud for three
or four minutes owned the ship. Lieutenant
Bartlett of the Ranger found a very snug lace
behind Tie smokestack. The police at last
plucked up courage and opened fire. Thirty
shots were fired In all, Barrunda shooting nine
shots. He was shot through SIX times aud
killed Instantly. and, remarkable TO say no one
else hurt. You have no idea how Barrundia
was hated here and every one In Guatemala Is
glad that he was killed; but of course We are all
sorry here at the legation that II happened The
way it did 49,, ,o,.u..,o .,,,.
morning at 8 O'Clock. Mi. HOsmer was writing
In his Office with his street door open, and father
In his office, seated at his desk, talking TO
MIR. Leverlck, when Mrs. Beugoechea, daughter
of BaIrunda, passed rapidly 10 through Hosmer's
Office into fathers Office without being
nouuced, and stood opposite him at his desk and,
talking rapidly In Spanish, informed him that she
had come 10 Kill him. She held a revolver In her
right hand with Just the butt OF 1t sticking out
tom under her shawl. AS Leverick and HOsmer
did not know who she was, they did not take In
the situation, as they did not understand her
rapid Spanish. II was different with the Minister.
He uuders God III an instant, Kept perfectly cool,
aud never moved, but argued the matter over
with her. She claiming that The American Min
lister should never have allowed her father to be
taken from the ship. Leverck and Hosmer, at
last under standing, came up, one on edcn side
OF her, and led her out.
she walked down the street. still holding the
pistol In her hand. l was upstairs and did not
know anything about IL until II was over. III
Leverick lad not been in the office when she
entered she would have shot our Minister with
out doubt. OF course in short tive every In
the city knew all about II. The President sent
word that lie would at once have her placed in
prison, buI father requested him not 10 do so.
lie felt very sorry for the woman. and he thought
that she was crazy with grief. She is watched
by the police however. aud policeman Is sta
Toned at each corner OF The legation. Everything
Is as quiet as ever in Guatemala.
EDGAR A. MIzNER.
DIR. Miner says that in no letters received
by him has there been suggestion of anxiety,
and apparently none of the family or any of
the consular officials feel any doubt respect
ing the entire propriety OF the Minister'S
actions during all the trouble. The above
letter, it will be noted. shows that the re-
ported attempted assassination of Mr.. Miner
was not entirely hoax, as has lately been
stated in dispatches. Life at Guatemala, as
letters received indicate, has woes other than
diplomatic ones. Smallpox was epidemic
there at Last reports, and vaccine cannot be
had at any price. Living is very costly,
potatoes among other neceSsaIies now re-
Cog