The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1891-09-24
BALMACEDA SUICIDE
THE DEPosED PRESIDENT OF CHILL
ENDS HIS LIFE.
Ee Was Unable to Escape from the Country
So Took Refuge at the Argentine Le-
cation in santiago-Great
Rejoicing Prevails.


ing:
VALPARAISO, Chill, Sept. lex
President Balmaceda of Chill shot
himself through the temple in his
room at the Argentine legation in
Santiago at a. M today. The story
became known here this evening and
created the greatest excitement. Ev-
cry part of the city this evening is
brilliantly Illuminated, and on every
hand are heard sounds of rejoicing.
Later accounts from the capital:con-
firm the sensational news and
give the details of his
4, suicide. 1t now seems that Bal
maceda left Santiago on Aug. 30 last
in the hope of making his escape from
Chilli, but seeing that every avenue of
retreat was cut off he returned there
on Sept. 2, and went direct to the
argentine legation. 1T is learned to-
lay the route taken by Balmaceda,
after his disastrous battle near Val
eparaiso and the surrender of Santiago
Il on Sept. 20. In company with Ex-
Alcalde Victor Echauren, he took
carriage and drove to a point two
miles out side of the city. Here a
special train of one Car and locomo-
tive was in waiting. Balmaceda dis
guised himself with heavy
Spanish cloak. He was recog-
yAized, however, by the driver
of the carriage, Scotchman named
Gilmore. The train went at high
speed as far as Sinderos, sixty-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 away. Their route was
toward San Antonio Bay. All trace
;tof the fugitives was, however, lost.
n The police from Santiago learned of
\ the route taken and searched for the
carriages. They were unsuccessful,
but learn from detective who was
engaged on the case, that on Sept. 2
the carriages were traced to
the outskirts of Santiago. His
lintention had been to go on
( board the vessel Condell, which
be expected to find lying in San An
tonic Bay. Upon arriving there, how
ever, he discovered to his chagrin
that the vessel had sailed. Since his
n eturn to the Argentine legation in
N "+iage, Balmaceda has been in an
H., .emely nervous condition. No one,
with the exception of the minister of
the Argentine Republic, and an
other man, who was devoted to
the unfortunate eX- presidents
cause, was permitted to talk, or
oven see him. All the different
Schemes of flight were considered by
the hunted eX-president. Senior Urri-
bura went to the theater last night
and when he returned to the legation
had long and earnest talk with Bal
8maceda relative to the latter's ideas,
previously preached about the adj
INSTABILITY of giving himself up to the
Junta. Balmaceda and Senior Urri-
bura went to bed at midnight.
y n Sonora Urribura about 8 a. M. today
heard pistol shot in the bedroom
that had been assigned to Balmaceda.
She notified her husband. Before he
went to Balmaceda's room he
ran around the house to
lCarlos 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 temple. The body was
undresse1 and laid on the bed. The
revolver was still held in his right
hand.
Domingo Zorro, Balmaceda's broth
er-in-law, and the minister to Chill
from Uruguay and Arrietta MalchOr
Corletasa soon arrived at the legation.
ASenor Concho ran to the
NGoneda and informed the Junta of
- hat had happened. A commission
Was promptly issued, composed OF
arlos. Walker, Martenaz, Senior NAL
lor, Senior Concho and Judge Au-
irene of the supreme court. They
AIT direct to legation from the office
:, the Junta's representatives and
ewed the body. They drew up
Process Verbal certifying to the
cts already stated. The German
/NlnlSUer
he commission to the legation as an
|Id friend of Balmaceda. Gradually
he news spread all over Santiago.
he excitement it created is indie
cribable. Great crowds of excited
Ieople poured all around the Argen,-
ne legation. They cheered
md they hooted, and wen.
nto frenzy over the death of
heir chief enemy. Above all the dis
kdrdant shouts were heard cries, con-
,|@ratulating the unfortunate Baima-
ceda that in taking his own life ne
had escaped worse fate. The Junta
has the Argentine legation guarded
hv troops to prevent an attack on the
mart of the populace, but everything
Is p" auiet at Santiago tonight. ,
" BaImaceda's body has been removed
70 the general cemetery. 1t was &C &C
Y iSmpanied by members of the ne, family 9y,
and friends. The widow OF the dead
a aHI re was informed Of his
traric ending by her brother, D I an
o uo Zorro II There is a guard sta