The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-04-29

confidence OF the leaderso OF the present
movement headed by Villa and Car,
rama. Asked concerning the Ben.on
incident, this man freely told what
he declares is the true story OF the
| ;nglfshman's death.
| 'Benton." he said. got just what
was coming to him. / know Villa
well, and he is a pretty decent sort
| in q Mexican, not an American way.
For weeks before he was killed. Benz
on had been storming around Ell Paso,
bitterly denouncing Villa because the
rebel chief would not assign 300 men
to guard the properties Of which Bent
on. as trustee. was In charge. Bent
on's hatred Of Villa arose when the
rebel said he could not send the
men, for although he could spare
them he could no. spare the guns.
For days Benton abused Villa in Ell
Paso. Sommerfield. who knew Bent
on well, went to him. have the story
at first hand:
Benton. Sommerfeld said, you
have been talking too much. am
going to New York to buy ammuni-
ton for the rebels, and want you to
promise me that you will not go to
Juarez to villa until return. II you
do you will find trouble
Benton promised and Sommerfe1d
left. Just two days afterward, Bent
on crossed the river and went to vii
Ia, again demanding guard.
"'I can't do it, villa told him.
Nor would I now even II I could
spare the men. have heard OF your
abusing me in Ell Paso and believe
you are a spy for Huer.a. Take my
advice, get out OF Mexico and stay
out
That enraged Benton. T will come
into Mexico where and when 1 damn
please he told Villa fatty. Enough,
said Villa, and he called the guard
and put Benton under arrest Almost
At once Benton was put on a train
Tor Chihuahua, guarded by small
under Major Rudolfo
Fferro The train had only gone
lew miles when Fierros soldiers
dragged Benton out of the coach and
Fferro shot the Englishman to death
with his own gun They took the
body short way from the track and
buried it.
Now. where Villa made the error
hat may ye. cost him dearly, came
next He trumped UP the story OF
having tried Benton by drum-head |
court martial. That was a lie. There |
vas no court martial. What villa |
should have done was to have sum-
narily shot Fierro-a black hearted |
.oung assassin-for murder and then
old the straight truth. /
Villa is no fool. He knows the |
american and British government
10Th know the truth about Benton's
Ieath, but he is now afraid to exc
ute Fierro because Of the effect 1t
would have upon his troops. But he
,nows zoo that the British will de-
nand satisfaction for Benton's death.
lie Is between two fires. He II de-
to down Huerta, but he
rants to do II himself; first, because
e wants the Madero money, and sec
nd, because he fears under American
ccupation OF Mexico, Benton's ghost
7ou!d rise in British demand for
ustice which might result In endan-
ering his neck
"Watchful. waiting has been the
hrase stuck in President Wilson's
olicy. 1t applies with even greater
orce to villa. He don't know what
e will do, but feel certain that II he
) forced by events 20 fight the United
tates, It will be sorely against his
ILL.,"
10 Villa Town Now.
LAREDO, Texas. April 29.-All
races of the regime OF victorfano
Iuerta were removed from Nuevo /
4aredo today when the municipal
fficials, who vera serving when Ma
ero was assassinated, we're put back
nto power by the constitutionalists
ow in control OF the city. 1
A collector OF customs has also
cen placed in charge and a post
1aster selected. The constitutional. {
SITS have a large force Of men at
vork clearing up the debris and ex- 4
ect to get the sewers and water 4
corks in good order before dark.
- s~~-- 1Hr- Y~1 NV ~~yW /.