Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1891-10-03
BALMACEDA SUICIDES.
The Ex-President of Chill Puts
a Bullet Thro' His Own
Brain-Unabie to Escape the Country and
In Fear of an Outraged People,
He Dies by His Own Hand.

Ex-President Balmaceda shot himself
through the temple in his rooms at the
Argentine Legation at Santiago at $3.50
O. m. to-day. The story became known
here this afternoon and created the
greatest excitement. Every part OF this
city this evening Is brilliantly illumin-
ated. and on every hand are heard the
sounds OF rejoicing. Later accounts
from the capital confirm the sensation
al news and give the details OF his sui
eide. 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 of, he returned there on September
and went directly to the Argentine
Legation. Since his return to the Ar
gentine Legation, in Santiago, Balma-
ceda has been in an extremely nervous
condition. No one, with the exception
of the Minister OF the Argentine Re-
public and one other man, who was de-
voted to the unfortunate eX-Presidents
cause, was permitted to talk to or even
see him. All the different schemes OF
hight were considered by the hunted
ex-President. Senior Urriburia went
to the theater last night When he re-
turned to the Legation he had q long
and earnest talk with Balmaceda rela-
ting to the later's ideas about the advis-
ability OF giving himself up to the Jun
Ia. Balmaceda and Senior Urriburia
went to bed at midnight. Sonora Urri-
buria about a. m. to-day heard pistol
shot in the bed room that had been as
signed TO Balmaceda- She notified her
husband. Before he went TO Balmace-
da'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 Balmace-
da's room it was found that he had shot
himself. The body was still warm.
There was Gaping wound in the teni-
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 Chilli from
Uruguay, Arrietta MalchOr Corlota,
soon arrived at the Legation. Senior
Concho ran to Moneda and informed the
Jnnta OF what had had happened. n
commission was promptly issued. 1t
comprised Carlos Walker Martinez, Sc
nor Melchor, Senior Concho and Judge
Aguerra, of the supreme court. They
went direct to the Legation from the
Office OF the Junta's representatives and
viewed the body. They then drew up
a process verbal certifying the facts al
ready stated. The German Minister,
Gutschmidt. accompanied the commits
sion to the Legation as an old friend ol
Balmaceda. Gradually the news spread
all over Santiago. The excitement
created is indiscribable. Great crowds
OF terribly excited people gathered all
around the Argentine Legation. They
cheered and they hooted and went into
frenzy over the death OF their chief
enemy. Above oil the discordant
shouts were heard cries congratulating
the unfortunate Balmaceda that in TAX
ing his own life he had escaped worse
fate.
BALMAcEDA's STATEMENT.
Balmaceda left letter to his mother;
also statement to the New York Her.
aid. AS almost the last declaration OF
dying man they are of especial i'm
portanoe. He says:
II acted all during the past eight
months with the firm conviction that l
was right. had no one in the army in
whom 1 could place any trust. My gen.
erals were false to me. They lied all
through the war. Had my orders been
obeyed l believe that the battle Of Con-
con would have reaulted in a decisive
victory against the enemy. My heart
all through this trouble has been for
Chilli. l sought to rescue my country
from soreign domination. strove to
make her the first republic in America.
My enemies say that was cruel. Cir
cumstances 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
Placilia had strong hopes Of triumph
ing over my foes. Victory was assured
by my Generals, Alcereeca and Barbosa
and We'll. They all lied. now know
they only pretended friendship for me
because of the money that was 10 he
gotten out OF me, All the money have
in my possession is $500. My wife
gave it to me on the night of August
26. Your Minister, Patrick Egan, ut
times offered me good advice. He
urged me TO make peace with those OPP
posed to me and retire from. Chill. l
did not heed his wise advice, for
Thought he was under the influence Of
the Junta's orders, who were then ref
gees in the American Legation. All
through the trouble my closest advisers
were always opposed TO any overtures
for peace"
Another letter was found addressed
to Senior Urriburia. In it Balmaceda
says:
when / saw the persecution direct
ed against me by persons who had SUP
ported my administration / came to the
conclusion that the only way TO put an
to this persecution was to take my life,
as was the responsible party. Adios,
my good friend; give my farewell to my
wife and children"
The Junta has the Argentine Lega-
A.. I'D hsr4 rOOv.c ka v,raxor.f af-