Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-02-20
Owner of Mines and Ran
ches Put Out of the
Way by Rebels
CHARGED WITH THREAT
Alleged to Have Attempted to
Take Life of Commander of
C0nStitutionaIiStS.

FL Paso, Texas, Feb 2O.-William S.
Benton, a British sct, tried by
court martial and found guilty of COM
plicity in plot to take the life of
General Villa, rebel commander, was
shot by a firing squad.
The news was brought to Mrs Ben
ton by American Consul Edwards of
Juarez. Benton disappeared from
Juarez Tuesday night. He was ex
ecuted Wednesday night. Villa left
suddenly for Chihuahua today. Great
Indignation is expressed at the execu-
ton. Benton's friends say it was
"wanton murder"
Benton and Villa had been acquaint-
ed many years. Benton's ranch is one
of the best in Mexico. 1t consists of
100000 acres and is worth S1,000,00o.
Friends say Benton knew himself he
had a hot temper and for that reason
never went armed Asked what had
been done with Benton, Consul Ed
wards said: 81 don't think he will be
seen this side of the border" The fact
that the alleged execution is said to
have taken place Tuesday night is
thought by Bentons friends to mean
that Villas court martial report was
given to cover the fact that Villa per-
sonally shot Benton in a quarrel
Protests Ranch looting.
The death of Benton was confirmed
by Pancho Villa and by Will Benton.
cousin of the dead man. FREDERICK
Cara was president at the militHais--
court that passed ON the charges that
Benton was implicated in a plot against
Villas life. When last seen alive
Tuesday morning, Benton was on the
way to Villas home to tell him what
he thought of him. for the way in
which Benton's ranch in western Chi
huahua had been looted by rebel sol
diers.
Instructions were sent by the Amer
ican state department yesterday to
Consul Edwards to see no harm came
to Benton. This was done at the re-
quest of the British ambassador at
Washington. 1t is supposed Villas de-
fense will be that Benton entered his
private office and started to draw
pistol, though his cousin says Benton
did not go to Juarez armed.
Benton was a man of brusque ways.
but his friends admired him for them,
and many wept at the news of his
death.
NO foreigner is safe in Mexico" is
general comment.
Bryan is Advised.
Washington, d. c., Feb. 20-Secre-
tary Bryan was advised today of the
death of w. S. Benton, an English
ranch owner, in Mexico, recently re-
ported in the hands of rebels. No de-
tails were given.
Benton was arrested at Juarez Tues
day and had not been heard from
since, except for an indefinite state
ment yesterday by General Villa, rebel
who intimated he knew
about Benton, who Villa
charged with threatening him with a
revolver
When Villa was told that the British
at Washington had been
appealed to he. with a profane re-
mark, expressed Indifference The
British ambassador asked this gov
eminent to take steps to protect Ben
ton. Besides a ranch he was interest
ed in mining and was reputed wealthy.
Bryan said he had a dispatch giving
'urther information on the death of
Benton. but that it did not contain
enough facts on which to base. an opin-
on as to the circumstances.
Bryan has ordered an investigation
IF the death of Benton, This action
was taken after a cabinet conference.
1t was pointed out that this govern.
nent cannot be held responsible for
3enton's death. The government has
.ried to protect British subjects in
Mexico, but this is an act of courtesy,
lot an international right. The atti-
ude at Washington is judicial wait
ng for the production of evidence of
he circumstances of Benton's death.