Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-08-03
PRESIDENT HEUREAUX KILLED
Assassination of Ruler of the
Dominican Republic.
SLAIN AT MOCA YESTERDAY WEEK
Authorities Pursuing Murderer,
Roman Caceres.


OF InlS repuDllC was aSSaSlnaDpu Ut
Moca, a town in the interior, at 4.3
O'Clock this afternoon.
The murderer, whose name is Roman
Caceres, succeeded in escaping, but an
energetic pursuit was begun by the
authorities and it is possible that he
| will soon be captured.
Vice President Gen. Wenceslao
| Figuereo, Immediately upon the an
nouDcement of the Presidents death,
assumed the direction of affairs.
At present calmness prevails every
where in the republic.
The body of President Heureux will
probably be taken to San Domingo for
the funeral services.
Gen. Ulysses HeureuY, President OF
the Dominican Republic, had numerous
enemies, but seemed to possess a charm
against death. As politician he had
great talent and boldness. He himself
caused reports TO be circulated that he
had been seized by revolutionists, i'm
prisoned and subsequently shot. This
was done to throw his enemies off their
guard so that they would betray them
selves.
He was born at Porto Plata, town
on the west coast of the island, in 1916.
Becoming private soldier in 1862, he
volunteered in the native service in tho
uprising against the Spaniards. This
war lasted about three years, and whex
the Spaniards left the island Heureun
had risen to the rank of colonel.
He was a leader in the attempts to
drive from power Bonaventura Baez,
who. in 1867, usurped absolute power
in the island. Baez was successful, and
| ...A. II T.. Ia
again led revolt against Baez. The
first operation of Heureux in this cam
paign was one of dash and bravery.
Baez's troops, regulars, /, 800 strong,
were enoamped about lS miles from the
border line Heureux had only 70 vol
unteers After five hours desperate
fighting, Baez's troops having been
surprised, they fled. Twenty eight of
them were killed and 80 wounded. On
Heureux's side IL were killed.
The government of Baez finally
ceased in 1874, and Gen. Gonzalez came
into power. Two years later found
Heureux again at the head of q revolt.
This time he triumphed, and, as re-
suit, Ulysses Espaillart was made Presi-
dent. representing the party Of Gems.
Heureux and Luperon.
In July. 1880, Fernando A. Merino
was elected President and in 1886 Gen.
Heureux was selected to succeed him,
remaining in power to the time Of his
assassination. Under his administra-
tion, with the exception Of two trifiine
attempts ut war, which were promptly
suppressed, the country has been at
peace and has advanced in marvellous
manner. The people having plenty Of
work at fair prices, are generally con-
tented. President Heureux. it is said,
was determined to have the affairs Of
the island conducted on the basis OF
order and Justice.
One of the chief trouble makers
under Heureux's administration was
Juan Jiminez, formerly prosperous
merchant of Monti Cristi, and who
considers himself prominent candi-
date for the presidency. Jiminez in
June, 1898, organized "a filibustering
expedition against the Heureux govern
ment, making a successful landing at
Monti Cristi. The attempt, however,
failed, all Jiminez's men being killed
or captured. Jiminez himself escaped,
and on July 18th last it was reported
} that panic reigned at Mont Cristi,
, whore another invasion by his followers
was hourly expected.
} The country has recently passed
} through an acute financial crisis. Last
} September tho increase in the rate of
, exchange on New York was more than
! 100 per cent and % commercial rapic
r ensued. Public discomfort attained
} such force that the situation of the
, HeureuX government was considered
critical.
, In his eventful career Heureux rc.
ceived nine serious wounds and carried
two bullets in his body. He was of
mixed white and black blood.
The President of the Dominican Re-
: public is chosen by an electoral college,
rs in the United States. The legisla.
tive power is vested in a National Con-
; gress of - deputies, elected by popu-
! lar vote. The President has ii 70 cabi-
t net advisers.
: Dominica is tho eastern part of the
j.: island and in the West Indies whose
l western Part is Haiti. 1t has been
under French, Spanish and English
7 domination at times, but has been a
! republic since 1871. The population is
mixed race, with white, Indian and
5 African blood IN about equal proper
I tion. There are few pure blacks.
2 In November, 1865, Bonaventura
j Baez, then President OF Dominica.
. signed, with President Grant, n treaty
I for the annexation of the country to the
t United States, but the Senate, at Wash
: ington, refused to ratify it, though a
: commission which visited the island
reported favorably.
4 DETAILS OF TIE MURDER.
' Cape Haytien, Haiti, July 27,-The
I. details of the murder of President
i Heureaux of Santo Domingo received
]. here are to the effect that he was
assassinated as no was about to leave
q on horseback for Santiago de las
Caballeros The assassin, Ramon
r Caceros. surrounded by several accom-.
piices, approached the President ms he
was talking with some friends. and
fired twice with revolver The first
a bullet struck the President in the loft
n side, and penetrated the heart, caus-
q ing instant death. The second bullet
killed an old man, who was standing
near the President. The assassin and
g mis- accomplces then fled to avoid the
! shots fired at them by the Presidents
\ friends. 1t is not known whether anv
y of them was wounded.
The body of the President was taken
to the palace of the governor of Moca.
a President Heureaux's death has
y caused a panic. 1t is said that one
u Juan lsiaoro Jimenes, who took part in
Y the attempted instruction of June,
v 1888, is y candidate for tho Presidency
10 is reported that Gen. Maxine
.iomez, former President of the Cuban
insurrectionists, who is native Of Saptc
: domingo, also aspires TO the Presidency.
% The father of Caceros, the assassin,