The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-09-21

Balmaceda and Senior Urriburia went
to bed at midnight. Sonora Urriburia,
about a. m. to-day, heard a pistol shot
in the bedroom that had been assigned
to Balmaceda. She notified her hus-
band. Before he went to Balmaceda's
room he ran around the house OF Carlos
Walker Martinez, and brought that gen.
tleman back to the legation. Upon
breaking in the door OF Balmacedas
room it was found that he hadshothim-
self The body was still warm.
Domingo Torro, Balmaceda's brother
in-law, and the Minister to Chile from
Uruguay-Arrieta Malchor Corleta-
soon arrived at the Legation. Senior
Concho ran TO moneda and informed
the Junta OF what had happened. A
Commission was promptly issued. It
comprised Carlos Walker Martinez,
Senior 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
process, verbally certifying to the
facts already stated. The German Min
lister (Gutschmidt) accompanied the
Commission to the Legation as IN old
friend of Balmaceda.
BalmacedR left letter to his mother.
Also statement to the Herald. AS al
most the last declarations OF n dying
man they are of especial Importance.
lie says:
HIS LAST LETTER.
81 acted all during the last eight
months with the firm conviction that 1
was right. 1 had no one in the army
in whom l could place any trust.
"My generals we're false to me. They
lied to me all through the war. Had
my orders been obeyed I believe that
the battle OF Concon would have result
cd in q decisive victory against the en-
emy.
"ATy heart all through this trouble
has been with Chile. l sought to res
cue my country from foreign domina-
ton. l strove to make her the first
Republic in America.
my enemies thought I was cruel.
Circumstances compelled me to sane
ton certain acts, but many have deeds
that have been attributed to my orders
were never known byme until they had
been committed.
Until the final battle at Placilla
had strong hopes OF triumphing over
my foes. Victory was assured by my
generals, Alcerecca and Barbosa and
Viel. They all lied. I 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 I have in my
possession is s, 800. My wife gave 1t to
me on the night OF August 2S.
"Your Minister, Patrick Egan, many
times offered me good advice. He urged
me to make peace with those opposed
to me and to retire from Chile.
II did not heed his wise advice, for l
thought that he was under the influ-
ence OF the Junta's orders, who were
then refugees in the American Lega-
ton. ALI through the trouble my clos
est advisers were always opposed to
any overtures for peace"
Another letter was found addressed
to Senior Urriburia. IN it Balmaceda
says:
"When I saw the persecution direct
ed against me by persons who had sup
ported my administration, I came to
the conclusion that the only way to put
IN end to this persecution was to take
my life, as l was the responsible one.
Adios, my good friend. Give my fare
we'll to my wife and children"
The Junta has the Argentine Legation
guarded by troops to prevent an attack
on the part OF the populace, but every
thing Is quiet at Santiago tonight.
Balmacedafs body has been removed to
the general cemetery. 1t was accom-
panied by the members of the family
and friends. The widow of the dead
ex.president was informed of the terri
BILE tragic end by her brother, Domingo
Torro. There is guard stationed at the
cemetery. An intendent is keeping
order.