The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-09-25
ARROYO'S SLAYER DEAD
SUICIDE OF EDUARDO VELAsQUEZ IN
CITY OF MEXICO PRISON.
Ex-InspectOr General of Police, Who
Thought BE Was Benefiting Society
in killing Dfaz's AssaiIant.

CITY OF MEXICO, Sept. Pax -Inspec-
tor General of Police Eduardo Velasquez,
at the early age of thirty-two years lies
tonight a corpse, having taken his life
in Belem prison at about $50 o. o'clock. The
Inspector blew out his brains with pistol
He was a proud man, exceedingly re-
served, rarely being known to SMILE and
very ambitious, his rise from a humble
position through various posts to the COM
mand of the police having been sufficiently
rapid to attract attention to him as a man
of great talent.
Since the alleged lynching plct was ex-
posed and Velasquez with other police
was imprisoned, he has shown a marked
change, being extremely reticent and evil
IDENTIFY suffering from an intense nervous
strain. He was subjected yesterday to a
long examination by Judge Flores and at
the conclusion of that ordeal on his re-
turn to his room in the prison it was noted
he showed great detection and anguish of
mind. He had always been in the habit of
retiring late and in prison kept up his Gus
tom, retiring about o'clock, except when
his presence was required by the judge
Last night he retired late. At IL o clock this
morning the warden of the prison went to
call him. Going to the bedside of Velasquez,
the warden said in a friendly tone, as he
knew the prisoner well, Come, my boy
it's time to get up; the iudge wants you"
Receiving no answer he began to shake
the inspector. saying: Don't be lazy
when he noticed that Veasquez had a bull
let wound in the right temple and on in
vestigating further found a small two-bar-
relied pistol, with which the act had been
committed. The weapon was a small one
The muzzle of the pistol had been placed
so close to the temple and pressed into the
skin that it practically made no noise on
being discharged, hence the reason of no
report being heard by the guards How the
pistol reached the prisoner is under inves-
ugation and a certain person is suspected
The body lay in a perfectly natural posi-
ton, one arm thrown across the body and
the eyes were closed and the face perfect
The warden Immediately notified the judi
dicial authorities, who went at once to the
room of the suicide and summoned medical
men. Judge Flores remarked that he had
given the StrfcteSt orders to prevent Velas-
quez attempting suicide; that he had care
fully watched him and every precaution
was taken to keep weapons from him. At
first the authorities were inclined TO CEN
sure Colonel Campuzo the warden During
the afternoon relatives of the dead man
were allowed TO enter the prison. which
had been closed to the public The doctors
had concluded the examination and had
found that death must have been instan-
taneous the bullet being embedded in the
brain. Judging by the temperature of the
stomach the physicians came to the conclu-
sion that the act must have been COM
mittcd about $3.50 O'Clock this morning The
body was dressed and delivered TO rela-
tives.
A letter was found in the room in which
Velasquez made his statements to the pub
lie. saying his death was, he felt the sat
isfaction he owed to society and he should
therefore give that satisfaction by leaving
the world. He also said that the crime was
suggested to him by Inspector Villavicen-
clio. of the Second police district, who is in
prison. VelasqueZ added that under any
other circumstances. not having been a
high official authority. nothing could have
induced him to take part in the crime He
felt, ii is said that his loyalty to the chief
magistrate whose life had been attempted
warranted him in putting Arroyo to death
In fact, he said this repeatedly yesterday V
on being questioned 1t is generally felt by
his friends that Nillavcencio was his evil
star, having from the time Velasquez be-
came chief of police gained a remarkable
influence over him, although he was warned
by those who had his welfare a heart to
beware OF the man.
Velasquez had q very large acquaintance.
having been employed after leaving college
in the department Of finance and was sec
retary to the minister of finance. At one
time he was connected with the newspaper
El Combate, and had at an early age been
elected TO Congress. he had effected MANY
reforms during his incumbency as inspec-
tor.