The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-05-08
Martinez Was Detected Firing
an Automatic Revolver
by Col. Neville.
MEXICAN SAT on BALCONY
After a Marine Shot Him He
Sent for an American Sur
geOn to Attend Him.
ny DUDLEY HARMON,

Special Correspondent OF THE Sux Wih
Rear admiral Badgers Fleet
VERA Cnrz. April 25-"Martinez Is
dead Martinez is dead"
This was the word which wen, about
the city last night and brought real sat &
faction to every American here.
The case OF Martinez. 1.-THE king OF the
snipers." is perhaps the most interesting
OF all the stories of the snipers. who for
more than two days after the Americans
landed persisted in trying TO pick of
Americans with rifle from places OF
hiding
Martinez was a Mexican who had vast
cotton plantations in the Torreon dis
trict. He fled from that region last year
when villa took the city ard had since
been In Vera Cruz. His wife is an Ameri-
can woman. and all through the winter
both were frequently guests on board the
warshps in Vera Cruz harbor
His house Is situated on the same street
ms tho United States consulate. in the
region Of the first days fighting. on the
second day. when the Americans ad-
vanced through the entire town and held
II. sniping continued in many sections.
especially In the block in which Mar
tineZ's house was situated. Owing to
the fact that the snlpers used smokeless
powder and kept themselves we'll hidden
it was next To impossible to discover
whence these dastardly shots kept coming.
During the afternoon OF Wednesday
Martinez came along the block. where a
party OF marines had been stationed in
an effort to locate the snipers. He was
warned by Col Neville OF the Marine
Corps not to 20 into his house, as II was
strongly suspected that snipers were To-
Gated there.
Martinez professed his regret al such n
suspicion. asserting his strong admira-
ton and friendship for the Americans.
and said he was sure no one could be
using his house for such purpose. He
was finally allowed to enter his house.
Subsequently II was noted that every
time Col. Neville exposed himself In the
street q shot would come from near BY. IL
WAS obvious some one was trying to get"
the marine officer,
Col Neville finally mounted the balcony
OF the American consulate and began
watching the roofs and windows OF the
houses up the street through a pair OF
field glasses lie saw Martinez sitting on
his balcony. with a newspaper spread out
on his lap and smoking cigarette. ap-
parently idly watching the proceedings.
As he watched him the Colonel saw to
his Amusement Martinez quickly pull an
automatic revolver from under the news
paper in his lap and fire shot. restoring
the weapon to its hiding place under the
newspaper with lightning speed. Calling
a marine. Col. Neville pointed out the
man on tho balcony and said bluntly :
Get him"
The marine fred and Martinez fell of
his chair He was wounded In the
stomach. lie was removed to another
house by a Mexican doctor and his wound
dressed. The next day. apparently not
satisfied with what the Mexican surgeon
had done for him. he sent for DIR. NJ. \,
Elliott. l.. $. ~, a personal friend. who
has been In charge OF the shore hospital
Dr. Elliott dressed the wound again. but
last night Martinez died.
To the rank and file Of the forces In
the city Mariners sending for DR. FL
liott. his former host, seemed quite as
contemplate as his efforts 10 murder the
Americans from the ships on which he
had been n frequent guest.
His American wife was ut the time on
hoard the American refugee ship Espcr-
ANA. She was told that her husband
hnd been forced upon the balcony BY
snipers and shot by them.