Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-02-21

may never be known. Through the
widow and a cousin. William Benton.
and through friends Of tho deceased,
it was learned that Benton wished
permission to bring to the United
States 400 head of cattle on his ranch
Los Remedies. in western Chihuahua
His cousin, who is part owner Of
Los Remedies, thought the request
would be wasted. although other for
eigners have been considerably treat
ed when asking similar favors Charles
Qualey of New York and Mexico. a
friend now her among the other refu-
gees, advised him Of the probable pro-
cedure
villa probably will grant your Re-
quest, but he'll give you lecture and
you must not resent the lecture II
you do you may get into trouble"
Qualey said.
Would Lecture Back"
IF he lectures me I'll lecture hack"
Benton replied: II have never made
a political move in Mexico and IL he
accuses me of it I have some accusa-
tions of my own to make"
Benton made the request and his
friends never saw him alive after
wards. AS Mrs. Benton gathered the
story from Consul Edwards, Villa de-
clined to grant the permit, saying:
Mr.. Benton, you have never been a
friend of ours and I don't want these
cattle taken out of the country. We
can Use them ourselves"
At this point, it is understood thu
quarrel started.
Benton was not in accord with the
Madero revolution which expelled Por-
forio Diaz from Mexico and In the
Foreign Club at Chihuahua was wont
to express his opinions freely. Sue
ceeding revolutions also were criti-
cized by him to his friends, but the
latter agree that he never went fur
Their. They asserted unanimously that
he kept out of politics and accepted
his losses without any pretence at
gaining reprisals.
Villa on Wednesday night asserted
he had Bentons six shooter. What
do you think of a man who would come
here and threaten me?" exclaimed the
rebel general. i
A Mexican bystander exclaimeda
He ought to be shot"
This was "a hours after tho execu-,
ton had taken place.
Villa did not tell the American con-
sui that Benton was court mart1aled,
but official Juarez was busy today,
with assertions to that effect. Names
of those who sat as court was Civ
en- out for publication and 1t was stat
ed at the Jefetura that Benton's last
request was that his property be turn,
ed over to his widow.
Edwards last night asked Villa for.
Benton's body, but the request was de-s
MED.
Then as q favor to me and - tina,
| widow will you have the grave mark,
ed?" asked the consul. B
This villa promised. =
Benton, 1t is said, was tried on q
charge of conspiracy against the rebel
government and with Provoking and
insulting General Villa"
Major Jesus Rodriguez presideds.
Adrien Aguirre Benavides acted as
legal adviser to the court and Mai
Manuel Gloria acted as prosecutor
Benton is believed to have been held
incommunicado the while and 1t Is adj.
mitted that there was none there to
| court martial nearly everybody on
this side of the river doubts. The
| doubters contrast the case with that
of Gustav Bauch, a German-American
accused of being a spy. According to
the rebels the case of Bauch has been
on trial for four days and 1t was said
| today no decision had been reached.
| The execution of Benton comes on the
heels Of a secret interview between the
| former bandit and General Scott on
the international bridge here last Sat-
| urday. General Scott week or more
before had sent Villa a copy of the
| rules governing civilized warfare; and
| while the conference last Saturday
| concerned the establishment OF q neu-
| trail zone at Torreon, the American
general took occasion to renew his ad-
vice that Villa observe the rules Of
war and treat all prisoners fairly.
Villa accepted the caution In ap.
| parent good part.
Benton comes of an excellent Scotch
| family.