Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1891-09-26
BALMACEDh'S BAD END.
Chili's Ex-Dictator Puts a Bullet in
His Brain.
His Body Found Still Warm on a Bed in q
Room of the Argentine Lega-
ton in Valparaiso.

His Body Found Still Warm on Bed in a
Room of the Argentine Lega-
ton in Valparaiso.
Ex-President Balmsceda of Chilli shot him
self through the temple in his room at the Ar
genuine Legation in Santiago at $50 A. NJ.
When the story became known it created
the greatest excitement.
Every partof the city was brilliantly illumi-
mated, and on every hand were heard the
sounds 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 90 last, in the hope OF making his
escape from Chill, but seeing that every ave
nue. of the retreat was cutoff he returned there
on September and went direct to the Argcn-
tine Legation.
His intention had been to go on board the
vessel Condell, which he expected to find ~
ing in San Antonio Bay.
Upon arriving there, however, he discover
ed TO bis chagrin that the torpedero had
sailed.
Since his return to the Argentine Legation,
in Santiago, Belmaceda has been in an ex-
tremely nervous condition.
No one with the exception of the Minister
of the Argentine Republic and one other man
who was devoted TO the unfortunate ex-Presi-
dent cause, was permitted TO talk to or even
see him.
All the different schemes of fight were con-
sldered by the hunted ex-President
Senior Urrlburia went to the theatre on Fri
day night. When he returned to the legation
he had long and earnest talk with Balma-
ceda relative to the latter's ideas, previously
broached, about the advisability of giving
himself up to the Junta.
Balmaeeda and Senior Urriburia went to
bed at midnight
Senoro Urriburia about 8 A. NJ heard
pisto-shot in the bedroom that had been as
signed to Balmaceda.
Sne notified her husband. Before he went
to Balmaceds'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 1t was found that he had shot himself.
The body was still warm.
There was a gaping wound in the temple.
Inc body was undressed andlay OH the bed.
The revolver was still held in his right
hand.
Balmaceda's Career.
The stormy life thus brought to an end
began in Santiago 81 years ago. Jose Manuel
lie came of an ancient family, rich, we'll
known and of high standing in Chilian affairs.
By the time he was 2S years old young
Balmaeeda was known throughout Chill as a
coming man. He was elected deputy to tho
Gillian Congress, and took prominent par,
In all the debates There is no denying his
strong native force of character and excellent
ability. He was the best debator in Congress
and natural leader of men. He served FIVE
terms as deputy with credit to himself and his
city. His ambition was recognized; people
generally admitted that he would one day be
President, but no one imagined the extent to
which his ambition was destined TO lead him.
In Congress Balmaceda was the champion
end idol of the great Liberal party of Chill.
AT that time there were two other parties
contesting with the Liberals for the control
of the government, the Nationals and the
Conservatives.
The Liberals had commanded the majority
OF the voters for many years. AT the time
Balmaceda came into leadership they had
more puties in Congress than the other two
parties combined.
When President Santa Maria took up Bal
maceda in 1855 and made him the national
minister OF foreign affairs he greatly strength
ened his administration and gratifed the
natien. Bamaceda was very popular. The
next year the popular minister became his
party's candidate for President and wa
tIecleu Dy an overwhelming majority.
To their mind he was the greatest President
they had ever had. Opposition to him in the
other parties died out His old opponents
joined in his praises. He was the most dis.
tinguished man in South America. A place
in history was assured FOR him there some
thing like that of Washington in North
American affairs His character was without
reproa h. His patriotism and devotion to the
public interes IS were celebrated on every hand.
1t is commentary on the mutability OF hui
man affairs that the old writer's would like to
ponder over. All this pleasant situation was
completely changed in me year. From the
most popular man in Chill, Balmaceda be-
came in II months among very large num-
Der of his ielow-citizens the most cordially
hated.
The sole instrument in the change was Bal
maceda himself
In Chit Presidents are not eligible for re-
election. Balmactda, therefore, resolved To
set the constitution aside and establish die
tatorship. He attempted to get up a reyolu-
ton in order to give him an excuse for re-
sorting to martial law 1t iailtd and Balma-
ceda's hand was discovered A brief period
of confidence was secured, but this soon col
lapsed, and the issue was joined between the
friends of the constitution, represented by the
Congressional party and Balmaceda, the
would be autOCrat- The events that followed
are fresh in the memory of all, terminating
with the capture of Valparaiso and Balmace.
da's flight.
He has o'te7 been reported since rs hiding
in this place or that apparently moving about
in terror OF his life, until at last he brought
his ruinpd IN rp,.p In n "a end with HE own hand