The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1891-09-29
BALMACEDA'S TRAGIC END
cHILE'S Ex-PReSIDENT COMMITS SUI
eide AT SANTIAGO.

Man Was In IiidinI-A Dying Dsc,ar.-
tion.
NE% York, Sept. 2O.-'rhc Herald's
Valparaiso correspondent telcgraphs as
follows:
Ex.prcsidcnt Balmaceda, of Chile,
shot hlmself through the temple in his
room at the Argentine legation in Santi-
ago at S:30a. IN. today Saturday.. The
story bt came known here this afternoon,
and created the greatest excitement. 1t
now seems that Balmaceda left Santa
go on August 90, in the hope of making
his escape from Chile; but seeing that
every avenue OF escape was cut off. he
returned there OH September 2, and
went direct TO the Argentine legation.
Alter the disastrous battle near VAL
paraisO and the surrender of Santiago.
ON August 10Th, in COMPANY with eX-
Alcalde Victor Echaureu, he took a
carriage and drove to a point two miles
outside the city. Here n special train
OF one car and locomotive was in wait
ing. The train went Mt hioh speed as
far as Linderos, forly-live miles south
OF Santiago. There more carriages were
in waiting. llurledly alighting from
the train they entered the carriages and
were .agalu driven rapidly away. The
route was toward San Antonio BAY.
All trace Of the fugit!ves was, however,
lost. His intention was TO go On bonrd
the CondCl, which he expected to find
lying in San Antonio Bay. On arriving
there, however, he discovered, to his
chaYrin, that the vessel had sailed.
Since his return to the Argentine le-
gatiou, in Santiago, Balmaceda has been
Ii AL extremely nervous condition. No
one, with the exception of the minister
OF tie Argentine Republic and one other
man, who was devoted TO the unfortun-
ale eX-presidcnts cuuse, was permitted
To talk TO or even see him. All the dif-
icrent schemes of flight were considered
by the hunted CN-president. Senor Ur
riburria went to tho theatre last night.
When he returned to the legation, he
had long and earnest talk with Balma-
ceda relative to the latter's ideas pre-
yionsly broached, about the advlsabiity
OF giving himself up TO the Junta. Bal
maceda and Senor Urriburrla went to
bed at midnight.
Sonora Urruburrla, about n. M. to-
day, heard pistol shot in the bedroom
that had feen assigned to Balmaccda.
She notified her husband. Before he
went to Dalmnceda' g 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, it was found that he
had shot himself. The body was still
warm. There was gaping wound in
the temple. The body was undressed
aud lay on the bed. Tho revolver was
still held in his right hand.
SenOr ConchO ran to Moeda and in
formed the Junta of what had happened.
A commission was promptly issued. 1t
comprised Carlos Walker Martinez,
Senior Melchor, SenOr Concho and Judge
A9uerra. Of the supreme court. They
went direct TO the legation from the OF
flee Of the Junta's representatives aud
viewed the body. They then drew up a
process, certifying to the facts already
stated.
Gradually the news spread all over the
city and the excitement it created is in
describable. Gleat crowds of terribly
excited people gathered all around the
Argentine legation. They cheercd and
they hootcd, and went into q frenzy
over the death OF their chief enemy.
Above all the dscordant shouts were
heard cries congratulating the unfortu.
nate Balmaceda that in taking his own
life he had escaped worse fate. Bal
maceda lett letter to his mother.
Also, Il statement 10 the Herald. AS
almost the last declarations of dying
man, they are OF especial Importance.
He says:
II acted all during t. c past eight
months with the firm conviction that
was right. had no one in the army
upon whom could place any trust Ny
lS f,lo 10 4
all through the war. Had my orders
been obeyed, believe that the battle
oi COncon would have resulted ia u de-
cisiVe victory against the enemy. My
heart all through this trouble has been
with Chile. l sought to rescue my
country from foreign domination. [
strove to make her the first republic in
America. My enemies say that | was
cruel. Circumstances compelled me TO
sanction certain acts, but many bad
deeds that have been attributes to nv
olders were never known by me until
they had been committed.
Until the final battle at Placill, had
strong hopes of triumphing over NJ,
Toes. Victory was assured by my ycncr.
ais. Alcerecca and Barbosa and Vici.
''They all lied. l now know Ll,ut
they only pretended friendship for me
because ofmoney that was to be often
out OF me.
"All the money that have in my
possession is $4,000. NV wife gave il
10 me OH the night Of August %.
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. | did not
heed his wise advice, for thought that
he was under the influence ofthc .Junta's
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 Senior UrriDurria. In it Balmaceda
says: when l saw the persecution d-
rected against ne by persons who had
supported my administration, came to
the conclusion that the only way TO put
an end TO this persecution was to take
my life, as was the responsible one.
Adios, my good friend! Give my fare
well to my vile and children"
The Junta has the Argentine legation
guarded by troops TO prevent an attack
on the part of the populace. but every.
thing ls quiet at Santiago tonight. Bal
maceda's body has been removed to
the general cemetery. 1t was accom-