Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-09-21
E1-President Balmaceda, Of Chill,
Shoots Himself in the Head.
AVENUES OF ESCAPE CLOSED.
Be Prstars Dsath by BIS Own Hand Rather Than
Fall lntO the Clutches Of the CcngrsssiOnalists.
BE Leaves Two Pathetic Lsttsrs-He Says
His Generals Deceived Him.

| at the Argentine Legation in Santiago
at $3.50 g. m. yesterday. The story be-
came known here yesterday afternoon
and created the greatest excitement.
Every part Of the city this evening is
brilliantly Illuminated, and on every
hand is heard the sounds of rejoicing.
Later accounts from the Capital con-
firm the sensational news and Govern
ment details of his suicide.
| 1t now seems that Balmaceda left
Santiago OH August Goth last in the
! hope OF making his escape from Chilli,
| but seeing that every avenue OF retreat
was cut OF he returned tl ere on Septem-
Der Cd, and went direct TO the Argen-
tine Legation. Since bis return TO the
Argention Legation In Santiago Bal
msceda has been in an extremely ner-
vous condition.
No one, with the exception of tne
| Minister Of the Argentine Republia and
| one other man VINO was devoted 20 the
unfortunate Ex-PresIdent's cause, was
permitted to talk or even see him. All
! the different schemes OF flight were con-
|
Senor Urriburia went to the theater
! last night. When he returned TO the
Legation he had long and earnest talk
with BaImaceda relative TO tho latter's
| ideas, previously broached, about the
advisabiIity of giving himself up to the
Junta.
Balmaceda and Senior Urriburia went
! to bed at midnight.
Sonora Urriburia, aboutS am. to-day,
| heard pistol shot in the bedroom that
had been assigned to Bdlmaceda. She
notified her husband. Before he went
! to Balmaceda's room he ran around to
the house OF Carlos Walker Martinez,
and brought that gentleman back to
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 tenn
pie. 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 Chill from
Uruguay = Arrieta Malchor Coreta-
soon arrived at the Legation. Senor
Concho ran to Moneda and informed the
Junta of what had happened.
A commission was promptly issued.
It comprised Carlos Walker Martinez,
Senior Concho and Judge Aguerro, of
the Supreme Court.
They went direct to the Legation
from the Office of the Junta's represen-
ta+ives and viewed the body
They then drew up process, verbally
certifying to the facts already stated.
The German Mnister(Gutschmidt ac-
companied the Commission to the Lega-
tion as an old friend of Balmaceda.
Gradually the news spread all over
Santiago. The excitement 1t created Is
indeScribable.
Great crowds Of terribly excited peo-
ple gathered all around the Argentine
Legation.
They cheered and they hooted, and
went into q frenzy over the death OF
their chief enemy.
Above all the dscordant shouts were
heard cries congratuating the unfortu-
nate Ba!maceda that, In taking his own
life, he had escaped worse fate.
BaImaceda left letter to his mother.
Also statement to the Herald. As
almost the last declarations OF dying
man they are of especial importan ce.
He says:
81 acted all during the past eight
months with the firm conviction that l
was right. had no one in the army in
whom / could place any trust.
"My Generals were false to me. They
. VIZ m
orders been obeyed / believe that the
battle of Concon would have resulted In
a decisive victory against the enemy.
"My heart all through this trouble
has been with Chill.
II sought to rescue my country from
foreign domination.
II strove to make her the first Repub-
lie in America.
"My enemies say that / was cruel.
Circumstances compelled me TO sanction
certain acts, but many bad deeds that
have been attributed to my orders were
never known by me until they had been
committed
"Until the final battle at Pacilla
had strong hopes OF triumphing over my
foes. Victory was assured by my Gen
erals, A.cefecea and Barbosa and Viel.
.@They all lied. now know those
who only pretended friendship for me
because OF the money that was TO be
got out OF me.
"All the money that / have in my
possession is $4,000. Ny wife gave 1t
to me on the night OF August %.
Your Minister Patrick Egan, many
times offered me good advice. He ur-
ged me to make peace with those op-
posed TO me and retire from Chill.
II did not heed his wise advice, for |
thought that he was under the influence
OF the Junta's orders, who were then
refugees in the American Legation. All
through the trouble my closest advisers
were always opposed to any oyertures
for peace"
Another letter was found addressed
70 Senior Urriburia. Ia IL Balmaceda
says: when I saw the persecution d.
rected against me By persons who had
supported my administration, came TO
the conclusion that the only way 10 put
an end 10 this persecution was to take
my life, as / was the responsible one.
Adios, my good friend. Give my fare
we'll to my wife and children"
The Junta has the Argentine Lega-
tion guarded by troops to prevent
an attack on the part OF
the populace, but everything Is
quiet at Santiago:to-night. Balmaceda's
body has been removed 20 the general
cemetery. 1t was accompanied by the
members Of the family and friends.
The vidow Of the dead Ex-President