Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-09-24
ALMACEDA DEAD.
The Ex-President Puts a Bullet
Through His Brain.
He HAS BEEN IN SANTIAGO.
Finding All Avenues of Escape Closed to Him
He Cheated His Enemies.
The People of Santiago Frenzied With
Joy When They Hear That the
Tyrant Is No More-Details
of the Tragedy.
He HAS BEEN IN SANTIAGO.
Balmsceda's Suicide.

VALPARAISO, CHILL, Sept. 1a.-Ex-Presi-
dent Balmaceda of Chill shot himself
through the temple in his room at the Ars
gentine legation in Santiago at a. m. to-
day. The story became known this after
noon and created the greatest exciteheut.
Every part of the city this evening isSbril-
liantly illuminated, and on every hand is
heard rounds of rejoicing. Later accounts
from the capital confirm the sensational
news and give the details of his suicide
1t now seems that Balmaceda left
Santiago on August 20 last in the hope of
making his escape from Chilli. but seeing
that every avenue of retreat was cut Off he
returned there on September , and went
direct to the Argentine legation. | learned
to-day the route taken by Balmaeeda after
the disastrous battle near Valparaiso and
the surrender of Santiago. On August %,
in company with ex-Alcaide Victor
Echrawren, he took a carriage and drove
10 point two miles outside the city. Here
special train of one car and a
locomotive was in waiting. Balmaceda dis
guised himself with heavy Spanish cloak.
He was recognized, however, by the driver
Of the carriage, Scotchman named Gil
more. The train went at q high speed as
far rs Linderos. fOrty-five miles south of
Santiago. There more carriages were in
waiting. Hurriedly alighting from the
train they entered the carriages and were
again driven rapidly awIy. The route was
toward San Antonio bay. All trace of the
fugitives was. however, lost. The police
from Santiago learned of the ronte taken
and searched for the carriages. They were
unsuccessful, but learn from a detective
who was engaged on the case, that
on September 2 the carriages were
traced to the outskirts of Santiago.
His intention had been to 90 on board the
vessel Condell. which he expected to find
lying in San Antonio bay. Upon arriving
there, however, he discovered to his
his return to the Argentine legation in SAN
tiago Balmaceda has been in an extremely
nervous condition. No one, with the eX-
ception of the minister of the Argentine
Republic and one other man who was de-
voted to the unfortunate ex-president's
cause, were permitted to talk to or even
see him. All the different schemes of
fight were considered by the hunted ex-
president. Senior urriburia went to the
theater last night, and when he returned to
the legation he had long and earnest talk
with Balmaceda relative to the latter's
IDEA, previously preached, about the ad-
visibility of giving himself up to the junta.
Balmaceda and Senior Urriburia went to
Ded at midnight. Sonora Urriburia about
5 o'clock a M. to-day heard pistol shot in
the bedroom that had been assigned to Bal
maceda. She notified her husband. Be-
fore he went to Balmaceda's room he ran
around 10 the house of Carlos Walker Mar
tinez and brought that gentleman back 10
the legation.
Upon breaking in the door of Balmaceda's
room it was found that he had shot himself
The body was still warm.
There was gaping wound in the temple.
The body was undresSed and lay on the
bed. The revolver was still held in his
right hand. -
Domingo Zorro, Balmaceda's brother-in-
law, and the minister to Chilli from Uru-
quay, Arriotia Malichor Corletta, also soon
arrived at the legation. Sonora
COncho ran to Moneda and informed
the iunta of what had happened. A COM
mission of inquest WAS promptly ordered
II comprised Carlos Walker Martinez,
Senior Malichor, Senior Concho, and Judge
-Augurrn of the supreme court. They went
direct to the legation from tho office of the
juntas' representatives and viewed the
body. They drew up ''proces verbal
certifying to the facts already stated. The
German minister Gutschnidt, accompanied
the commission to the legation as an old
friend of Balmacedas.
q adually the news spread all over San
tiago. The excitement it created is in
describable Great crowds of terribly en-
cited people gathered all around the Argen-
tine legation. They cheered and they
hooted and went into frenzy over the
death of their chief enemy. Abo all the
diScordant shouts were heard cries con-
graduating the unfortunate Balmaceda that
upon taking his own life he had escaped
worse fate.
C. The junta has the Argentine legation
guarded by troops to prevent an attack on
the part of the populace, but everything is
quiet at Santiago tonight.
Balmaceda's body mas been removed to
the general cemetery. 1t was accompanied
by members of the family and friends.
The widow of the dead ex-president was
informed of his tragic ending by her
brother, Domingo Zorro.
There is a guard stationed at the Gene
terry. The intendente is keeping order.
Since the fall of Valparaiso and the sur
render of Santiago there have been many
rumors about the movements of Balmaccda
1t was first believed he escaped from the
capital and had made his way to the noun
had made made his 'p'' way S"''sI through IL
one of the mountain passes
and that he would next be heard from in
the Argentine Republic. This story l
cabled you at the time. There was another
rumor that the defeated and deposed presi-
dent had gone by special train to Zeal
pana, where he was expected to embark on
nation. This report proved to be without
foundation and investigation also showed
that it was not possible for him to have es-
capped through the snow-blocked passes in
the Argentine Republic. The government
and every one else became convinced finally
that the ex-president was still in Chill.
There seemed TO be a general belief that he
had sought refuge in monastery and all in
which it was supposed he might be con-
cealed were searched. / had meanwhile
been making every effort in my power to
get some trace of the eX-president. While
keeping you informed of the rumors con-
corning his movements l was all the time
making efforts to find him. In common
with many others / was convinced that he
would endeavor TO get on board one Of the
about TO sail. Just before the San F ancisco
sailed last Monday I was informed by
gentleman in whom had confidence, and
who had on other occasions given me i'm
portant information which had afterwards
been Officially confirmed, that Balmaceda
had been struggled out to sea. 1t was too
late to go on board the San Francisco and
make personal inquiries. The vessel was just
getting ready to weigh anchor. But the story
told me of Balmaceda's alleged disguise
as drunken sailor in a uniform said
to have been furnished by Admiral
Brown was 50 circumstantial and seemed
so plausible that fully believed it and sent
it Just as 1 had done with other rumors.
My informant was either imposed upon
himself or deliberately imposed upon me.
Unfortunately for the now dead ex-presi-
dent he did not escape on board the San
Francisco but in despairing of his ability to
get away and fearing the vengeance of his
anernieS ha f0Ols hic NUN life to-1ay