Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-02-21
Meagre Details
OF the Execution
Anger onBorder.

FL Paso. Texas, Feb. 20-A storm
of Indignation broke today along the
border when it became known that
William S. Benton, British subject
and wealthy land holder in Mexico,
had been executed by rebels in Juarez
after he had made a protest to Gen.
eral Francisco Villa about alleged
depredations of the Constitutionalists.
A mass meeting was held tonight and
resolutions were adopted censuring
the state department at Washington
for it's alleged suppression OF the con-
sular report on the Benton case ana
calling on Congress to demand from
the state department fuller record
of alleged crimes and outrages against
foreigners in Mexico.
Meeting Permit Denial.
The meeting came as the climax of
a day of excitement caused by news
of the death of Benton. The meeting
was first called for Cleveland Square,
but Mayor Kelly in letter to George
Curry, former Governor of New Mex
leo asked him to rent a hall as he re-
garded an open meeting as dangerous.
The mayor said he would suppress any
attempt to hold the meeting In the
open. Messengers turned people from
the square to the hall.
Former Governor George Curry, OF
New Mexico, was to be the principal
sneaker. At an inpromptu indlgna-
ton meeting in the lobby Of the Ho-
tel Sheldon, headquarters of foreigners
driven out of Mexico, Mr.. Curry was
named a committee of one to fnvesti-
gate the killing of Benton, but this
INQUIRIES developed nothing new.
Mr.. Curry went first to Thomas ID.
Edwards. United States consul at
JuareZ.
81 have telegraphed the secretary
of state that Benton's death has been
officially reported to me" stated the
consul. "Other details I have for
warded to Washington by mail. Gen.
Villa said he did not care to talk OF
the case to the press or public, but
gave me the information for Mrs.
Benton, the widow, and the state de-
partment. They are at liberty to talk,
but I promised the General 1 would
remain silent"
Hope of Misrepresentation.
Asked as to his use of the phrase
Officially reported dead" and if he
personally thought the official report
by Villa might have been misleading,
the consul said that inasmuch as the
rebels have been sending Chihuahua
prisoners to Juarez and the Juarez
prisoners to Chihuahua, he had had
faint hope that Villa might have mis-
led him. Benton disappeared Tues
day.
Mr.. Edwards made his first inquiry
of Villa regarding Benton yesterday
afternoon upon receipt of instructions
from Secretary Bryan, who made the
request at the instance of the British
ambassador, Sir Cecil Spring Rice.
Mr.. Edwards" Villa Is reported as
saying, Mr.. Benton Is dead. You are
an official of the American government
and / give you this information as Of
fetal. I have made denials to other
inquiries as this is not a matter for
the public. 1t is for the information
of the widow and the state depart
ment."
What else passed between them Mr..
Edward would not state. 1t was gen
erally believed that Villa, who had
known Benton for years, was trying
solitary confinement as a corrective to
Benton's we'll known disposition TO
speak his mind frankly without regard
to consequences.
Edwards waited until after his last
hope flickered away with the depar-
ture of Villas train for the South be-
fore informing Mrs. Benton that her
husband was dead.
Wished to Transport Cattle.
Just what occurred between Villa
and his Inflated visitor last Tuesday