The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-10-01
BARRUNDIA'S DEATH.
A Graphic Account Of How the
Guatemalan Fell.
Arrival of the Acapulco on Which the Recent
Tragedy occurrsd-Captain Pitts
Refuses to Talk

Interest in the tragic death of General
Barrundia of Guatemala, who was shot and
killed on board the steamer Acapulco at
Port San lose, was revived by the arrival
of that steamer in this city yesterday. Con-
siderable interest was also manifested in
shipping circles when she was sighted, and
as soon as she locked large crowd was at
the wharf curious to inspect the upper deck,
where such furious fusilade took place
before the Guatemalan General gave up his
life.
After the disemb ,rkation of passengers
sight-seers were allowed on board and a
general rush was made to the upper deck,
where the bloody affair took place between
Barrundia and the Guatemalan officers of
the law. Their curiosity was gratitied, for
the sight that met their eyes was well worth
seeing. Little repairs had been made to the
damage done by the firing and the course
of the bullets could be traced in almost
every instance.
Considering the great number of shots
fired, and the number of bullet holes which
remain as. evidence of the bombardment of
Barrundia's cabin, it is surprising that no
more lives were lost than that of the victim,
whose death has giyeDrise to so much inter-
national discussion, and brought into such
prominence tile action of United States Min
ister Miner. A CALL reporter was among
those who Boarded the steamer after her
arrival and his first inquiry was Tor Captain
Pitts, whose surrender Of Barrundia has
made him the, subject of so much adverse
comment.
: THE CAPTAIN OF THE ACAPULCO.
Captain Pitts is man of IS or 60 wears
of age, and has been with his company fully
TWENTY-FIVE years, having begun a. the boz
tom Of: the ladder and gained promotion
after:premOtOn uutii he now stands at the
head Of his profession. lie is we'll drilled
in allthlpgS appertalnlng to the position lie
occupies, being more. than ordinarily well
informed as to International law governing
such cases as the present AS an Instance
of this, note the fact that at Champerico he
fatty refused to surrender his charge To the
Guatenialans without an or!fer from the MIN
ister. He is a genial, hearty, gray he 'ded
old sailor, pleasant i'll this social relations,
but firm as his mainmast in the matter of
discipline and duty. Captain Pitts was seen
on the Acapulco and when greeted said
:" hope you are not a reporter, for have
nothing to- say about the Barrundia affair
When closely questioned about his change
of frnnt at San Jose contested with his en-
ergetic and persistent refusal at ChaiHpericu
to give up his, passenger, who was under the
. protection of the American flag, and the
cause for his. subsequent delivery of Bar
rundia, Captain Pitts declined to make any
Statement, saying that he had stated all he
had to say III written communication to
+ his company.
When it was suggested that the public
would be anxious to hear detailed and cor
rert% aceouut6f. the unfortunate affair, aud
that an explanation might sci right nnmer-
Gus eiiliciSnlS.which had been passed upon
+ what is regarded as his dubious conduct,
besides rtctifying garbled and Inaccurate
ACCOUNTS of the shooting III which he ap-
peared in a somewhat ludierous light, Cap
tain Pitts still refused TO talk. ANA said en-
phatGaFIy that lie desired TO make no eX
PLANTATION whatever.
Other officers OF the steamer were seen,
and although they were willing TO talk none
OF them could say anything OF the affair of
their own knowledge, and preferred to pro-
feSs ignorance. saying they were not on
deck at the time. They seemed to be in
fear of je pardIZing their positions IL they
opened their mouths about the affair. One
of them admitted lhaG he had been positively
instructed not 10 say anything OF the sur
render or killing Of Barrundia.
A VISIT TO HEADQUARTERS.
After Captain Pitts stated that be had
furnished his company with an account of
his action in the matter visit was made to
the headquarters of the Pacific Mail. When
it was asked whether copy of Captain
Pitts statement and explanation Of Bar
rundas death could be obtained the general
secretary of the company replied atfably:
" by, that statement arrived hero two
steamers ago and we forwarded it to the
President III New York"
Then it is not obtainable here?"
4" Not at all. 1t was short and concise, but
| do not remember its contents. WHAT has
already been published | believe constitutes
the main and correct part of the story. Cap
tain Pitts since his arrival has made no state
ment to the company and [ have not talked
with him about The matter"
Notdisheartened by the persistent refusal
of the officers TO talk about the affair.
a CALL repDFter continued his Investigation,
and at last found one who was ,jartly an
evp-vtftn.Ss In In. SIftatinp bfrt whn.p name
"a xpifI;j,frd n rs nrgs,t raitnsSt ,T,Ipa r.,
- "s ',t5 ~ ne ~
: !oI lhaHt Hot Ohi9 hIluty feihted an NC hhe"
; oil the SHOOTING, nut TOOK the reporter over
the scene and explained 70 HIM how the kilt
ing Of Bafrundia took place. According to
his graphic rela lion Of the now historic cir.
cun,stanep GeneraI Rsrrundia en,barted nm
-, son,,,iioo a. : ,,,,ico - y va
s'fe An iUieo g % "a iuteo
BARBUNDtA ON THE STEAMER.
ssWten The General CANT, on board said
.ha ,iatrs+ar ..l,a vas. disar,n,d nv Csntain
pitts. lie was not supposed to r0ssess any
firearms. On arriving at Cbamperic0. the