Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-09-21

BALMACEDA. ton. The route
taken by Balmaceda after the disastrous
battle near Valparaiso and the surrender
OF Santiago Aug. % has been learned. In
company with ex-Alcalde Victor Echauren
he took carriage and drove to point
two miles side the city. Here special
train of one car and locomotive was in
waiting.
He Disguises Himself.
Balmaceda disguised himself with a
heavy Spanish cloak. He was recognized,
however, by the driver of the carriage, a
Scotchman named Gilmore. The train
went at high speed as far as Linderos,
forty-five miles south of Santiago. There
more carriages were in waiting. Hur-
riedly alightlng from the train they en-
tere d the carriages and were again driven
rapidly away. The route was toward San
Antonio bay. All trace of the fugitives
was, however, lost. Police from Santiago
learned of the route taken and searched
for the carriages. They were unsuccessful,
but it was learned from a detective who
was engaged on the case Sept. 2 that the
carriages were traced to the outskirts of
Santiago. His intention had been to go
on board the vessel Condell, which he ex-
pected TO find lying in San Antonio bay.
Upon arriving here, however, he discov-
cred to his chagrin that the ship had
sailed.
Heard Pistol Shot.
Since his return to the Argentine lega-
ton in Santiago Balmaceda has been in an
extremely nervous condition. No one,
with the exception of the minister of the
Argentine republic and one other man
who was devoted to the unfortunate presi-
dents cause, was permitted TO talk TO or
even to see him. All the different schemes
Of flight were considered by the hunted
ex-president. Senator Urribura went to
the theater Friday night. When he re-
turned to the legation he had long and
earnest talk with Balmaceda relative to
the latter's ideas. previously preached,
about the advisability of giving himself
up to the junta. Balmaceda and Senior
Urriburia went to bed at midnight. Sonora
Urribura about S a. N. Saturday heard a
pistol shot in the bedroom that had been
assigned to Balmaceda- She notified her
husband. Upon breaking in the door of
BRlmaceds'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 IMPRESSED and lay
on the bed. The revolver was still held in
his right hand
He Leaves Letters Behind.
lOiAO, DTObutE-
in-law, and the minister to Chill from
Uruguay, Arrieta Malcher Corleta, so IN
arrived at the legation. Balmaceda left a
letter to his mother. As almost the last
declarations of dying man it is of
especial importance. He says:
u acted all during he past eight months
with the firm conviction that l was right.
had no one in the army in whom l could
place any trust. Ny generals were false
to me. They lied all through the war.
Had my orders been obeyed | believe that
the battle of Concon would have resulted
In decisive victory against the enemy.
My heart all through this trouble Las
been with Chilli. l sought TO rescue my
country from foreign domination. I
strove to make her the first republic in
America. My enemies say that l 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 battl, It
Placilla i had strong hopes of triumphiLg
over my foes. Victory was assured by
my generals, Alcereccs and Barbosa and
We'll They all lied.
Advice from Minister Eagan.
II now know those who only pretended
friendship for me because of the money
that was to be gotten out of me- All tne
money that / have in my poss ession is
~, 500 My wife gave it to me on the night
Of Aug. %. Minister Patrick Egan many
times offered me good advice. He urged
me to make peace with those opposed TO
me and to retire from Chill. / did not
heed his wise advice, for l thought he was
under the influence Of the juntas orders
who were then refugees 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
Sesor Urriburia. IN it Balmaceda says:
aWhen / saw the persecution directed
against me by persons who had supported
my administration l came to the con-
tlusion that the only way to put an end
to this persecution was to take my life as
I was the responsible one. Adios, my
good friend. Give my farewell to my
wife and children"