New-York tribune., 1903-01-10
HUNTER ON SHOOTING.
Says He Shot Fitzgerald after He
Vas -4ttack,cd


iam-st-. has received a letter from w. Godfrey
Hunter, jr., the of the United States Min
lister to Guatemala, who shot and killed William
A. Fitzgerald the Plaza de Armas, Guate-
mala City, on November 20. The letter contains
what purports to be transcripts of the state
ments of the affair made by Mr.. Hunter and
James G. Bailey, secretary of the legation, at the
hearing, at which Hunter acquitted. and of
the origin of the enmity between Mr.. Hunter
and Mr. McNally. the United States Consul Cen
eral at Guatemala City, which is alleged to have
been the foundation of the affair.
The letter dated at Guatemala City on
December %. and was written in response to a
cable dispatch sent to Mr.. Hunter by Mr.. Nc
Govern, who is a friend of Mr. Hunter asking
for particulars. Il indicates that Mr.. Hunter
did not shoot Mr.. Fitzgerald from behind, as at
first asserted in the cable dispatches. and that
he surrendered to the local authorities. Mr.. Nc
Govern said that Mr.. Hunter would be here
within two weeks coming by way of New
Orleans. to prepare his case against Mr.. Nc
Nany whom he includes among the conspira-
tors.
The letter asserted that the enmty between
the writer and Mr.. McNally dated from the time
when Miss Echeveria, girl of seventeen
years, made serious charges to the United States
Minister against Mr.. McNally. When the
charges were made James G. Bailey, the secre-
tary of the legation, investigated them, and the
writer acted as interpreter according to the let
ter. Mr.. Hunters statement to the court was as
follows:
l left the legation of the United States on the
pany with James G. Bailey; secretary Ia Of lega, @
bs y Psaa Ge aa aas as Usual about
o'clock. took seat together facing the MUSIC
been seated there but a few minutes engaged in
conversation when William A. Fitzgerald. whose
being said anything done TO provoke an assault
and with his right struck me severe blow under
the left eye, which drew the blood and while thus
holding firmly down on the seat drew a re-
volver. which he snapped two or three times IN
Recovering from the shock of this assault. which
for moment dazed me and the surprise M t at tine the
LOUSY seen: al +pr+ T him from I drew NV
the entire contents Of my weapon. Immediately
from the scene and surrendered to the local 4u-
thorities. never took shelter in the United States
Legation or anywhere else.
Mr.. Bailey's statement corroborated that of
Mr.. Hunter In addition, he adds:
The action of Fitzgerald manifestly evidenced a
premeditated attempt at assassination in this:
That he very pale and agitated, and stealthlly
without a word being spoken or anything done to
provoke or Justly the asSap m sii6 10 @
which would have done its work had the defectlNe
presence near the scene of the tragedy of some of
those whom we believe to be accompliceS of Fltz-
gerald Said Hunter Immediately surrendered him
self to the local authorities.
The letter also contained the following eX-
tracts of what was said TO be evidence pre-
sented at the hearing in regard to the alleged
conspiracy between Mr. McNally and Messrs.
Fitzgerald Barthel and Drummond:
r. H. Rivinac. at present employed in the con
struction of the Guatemalan Northern Railroad.
testified three minutes before the occurrence
heard Drummond say. There will soon be
a sparring match, and if Bailey interferes there
will have to be secretary of legation ap-
pointed next morning." Mr.. Rivinac asked Drum
mond if he had referred 10 a sparring match be-
tween Hunter and Fitzgerald, and he answered.
Yes This conversation took place in front OF
Several witnesses testified that McNally and Bar
were fired. and that McNaily clapped his hands
and said IF Fitzgerald didn't get him 1 am sure
Drummond did"
The letter also contained the statement that
an autopsy was performed on Fitzgeralds body
by the government physician, DIR. Zunica, and
Drs A r. Roya, Rosal and Ortega At this
autopsy it was shown conclusively that Hunter
did not shoot the in the back. The shots
took effect in the left cheek, the neck the abdo-
men and the heart.