Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1914-03-05
vERCARA SHOT To
DEATH ON HIGHWAY
Ranger Captain Charges killing
to Mexican Federals. Who
Had American.
POI. OED HIM ms NSISLE
Had First Enticed Him to Island
Belonging to United States,
Where He was
Seized.
PoU' DED HIM ms NSISLE

Austin, Texas, Feb. 27.--Rangcr Captain
j. j. Sanders, reporting to Governor O.
+. Colquitt late to-day. made the direct
charge that Clementc Ncrgarl. an Amer
lean ranchman. was shot to death while
in the custody of Mexican federal troops,
ostensibly en- route from the jail at
1Idalgo TO federal headquarters at Pied
ias Negras, Mexico.
Tonight Governor Coquitt again tele-
eraphcd Secretary of state Bryan ask
ing what method should be followed in
On effort to apprehend those responsible
for the killing of Vergara.
Captain Sanders i'm his report says that
ON the morning of February 10 five fed
eral soldiers commanded by Apolonio
Rodriguez crossed the Rio Grande to an
island belonging to the United States,
took II horses belonging to Clemcnte
Nergara, and then called to Ncrgara to
come to the island, on the pretcxt that
Rodriguez wished to pay for the animals
Vergara and a nephew crossed in a
skiff, continues the repory Ind when
they reached the Mexican side the fed
erals pounded Clemente insensible with
the butts of their revolvers, then car
licd him to Hidalgo.
The capture was effected Friday ac-
cordinE to Captain Sanders and on Sun
day Clemente was taken from the
HdalEo Jail and started under guard,
ostensibly for Piedras Negras, but was
shot to death after proceeding a short
distance NerEara, Captain Sanders
says he was informed, was born in
Webb county, Texas, and had a pass to
cross the river signed by Sheriff San
chez of Webb county and Cara Galan.
COLQUITT WIRES BRYAN.
The text of Governor Colquitts tele-
gram to Secretary Bryan follows:
II do not want to invade Mexico with
Il military force. l asked your co-opera-
ton in maintaining the rights and
dignity of this State and your consent
to allow me to send State rangers who
are peace officers, in pursuit OF those
who are constantly transgressing our
laws. Again I ask the President to adj
wise me what is recognized by him as
the constituted authority in Mexico. | re-
peat the inquiry, and ask whom you
recognize as constituted in the State of
Nuevo Leon as | desire to present
acquisitions to the proper authorities OF
that State for the surrender of fugitives
from Texas justice, notably those re-
sponsible for the death OF Clemente
Nergara."
The telegram explained that this re-
quest was based on rights OF cXtraditior
Governor Colquitt claims We're granted
border States in a treaty between the
United States and Mexico.
Acknowledgement b. f. Lo1ncy, i'm an
opinion given the Governor t, Say. held
that requistion may proporI. be made
for Rodringucz and the Ave men with
him who are charged with the seizure OF
Nergara. such requstion, he held
should he upon "thc military chieftain
who may at this time be located in the
district whore Vergara was captured. In
ismuch as Nergara WAS killed outside
Of Texas, Mr. Looney said the Cover
nor could not requisition on charge OF
murder but only for horse theft, which
occurred on Texas soil