The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-02-25
MULES AND MOZOS
The PeriIs of Life in Gem
trail America.
1T CAME OF A HOLIDAY BALL
WHY the British Minister Did Not
Demand Indemnity From the Re-
public of Guatemala.

Writing from Guatemala City, Guate-
mala, under date of February II, to friend
in this city, w. Fl. Esdor. who recently
went from San Francisco 10 Central Amer
lea. tells the true story of the recent trouble
wherein it was stated by telegraphie ad-
vices from Panama that the republic had
become in olved with Great Britain over an
alleged assault by Gnatemalans upon the
son of the British Minister TO that country.
II will be remembered that the dispatch
stated that the British cruiser MelpOmene
was then at SaS Jose, aud that her CON-
mander had cabled for the Warspite and the
Nymph TO come TO his aid, and also that the
British Minister, Goslng. had made de-
mand for indemnity, which President Bar
rios had begged him not to press at once.
because OF the excited state Of feeling IN
the country.
Mr. Esd0r was put In possession OF the
facts at the American legation after be had
shown the story printed here and after that
story had been laughed at. The whole
trouble, it appears, arose from drunken
row over native woman and the presence
Of the cruiser MelpOmene IN the haTb0r OIL
San Jose al the time was merely cOlncl-
dence. The commander Of the Melpomene
did not cable for two more waFShips be-
dozen ships would have done him no good,
the row having taken place far IN the in
terror and secondly, the British Minister,
Costing made no report OF the affair what
ever 70 the commander OF the Melpomene.
There had been no attack by mob upon
the British legation and no threat of any
attack.
The whole story, according TO MI EsdOr's
letter arose from circumstances occurring
at the inca, or coffee plantation, OF an
EngliShman named Harris. near the town
of SalamO, in the interior of Guatemala,
which fnca is known as JeronlmO. This
Harris was friend Of AUdiey Costing, the
eldest son OF the British Minister, and
short time before Christmas the young man
went out 10 JerOnmo to spend the holidays
with his friend. While he was there q
Christmas ball was given by the people OF
SalamO, and the two Englishmen attended It..
They took a leading part IN the festiyi-
ties and toward morning became slightly
flushed with wine and 10 rather pugnacl0us
humOr The belle Of the ball was a young
native woman. and as she was beauty OF
the country, Harris paid her marked atten-
ton. which fact pleased the woman, and Of
course Infatuated her affianced lover. who
was also present. There were some high
words, which came to nothing, but after
the bail, when Harris ana young Audley
G0sling were Oh their way back to JerO-
nimO, they we're waylaid by the lover and a
and macheteS. and a desperate battle fol-
lowed, both Englshmen being left ter dead
Cd the field.
They were not dead. however. for both
revived after the aSSallants had fled and
made their way to JeronimO, where their
wounds were dressed
The facts Of the assault we're communi-
Gated to the British Minister at Guatemala
and be sent a younger son, Cecil, TO aid his
brother and bring him home. Cecil Costing
proceeded Oh his way to Jer0nimO and had
about reached there when he met on the
road an Indian who pointed gun al hin
ara told him TO halt. The young man did
not halt He drew a revolver and shot The
Indian dead. Then he proceeded on his way
returning presently to stale the facts to hi:
father.
The Minister then sent the Bristish Con-
SUI, MI Wheeler, to investigate the whole
affair." and this gentleman had the misfOr'
tune TO have his mule fall on him. break.
ing one Of his ribs, which unctured hi:
lung and from the effects Of the wound he
has since died.
The British Minister then called upon ID c
Guatemalan Government to protect the lives
Of British subjects at the Harris inca,
whether from falling mules or indignant
lovers, is not clear, but at any rate Mr.
Esdor states that President BarriOs promptly
furnished the protection demanded and thG
episode has at no time risen to an inteTna
tlOual dignity.