The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1914-03-09
EXAMINATION OF VERCA.ss.. :.
SHOWS HE WAS MURDERED
WAS SHOT TWICE THROUGH THE HEAD ONCE THROUGH THE
NECK. SKULL WAS CRUSHED BY BLOW FROr BUTT OF GUN
CHARRED FINGERS SHOWED HE HAD BEEN TORTURED
Federal Officer Denied American Been
Observation-Disclosures Proved Otherwise Identification
Made Positive-No Complications From Seizure.

night. and met no one to question
their journey.
Location Easy Task.
Location of the grave proved an
easy task. for IL had been a center OF
speculation and wonder since IL ap-
peared after the body had been cut
down from the place OF execution.
disappearance started an inyestiga-
tion. The body had been rudely in
terred. with little effort to protect IL
from the earth. With their burden
hhed on stretcher. carried by six
OF vergara's friends, the procession
Journey which brought Clemente Ver-
CARA home again to the United States.
IL Is understood a thorough exanii-
nauon OF the body has been ordered
by the state authorities.
- Nergara left his ranch near Palafo.
eNas. Friday. February 13 and cross
I'd the river into Mexico on a message
from three Federal soldiers that Can
ilan Apolonio Rodreguez, of the HI
daigo garrison, wished TO settle for
eleven horses taken from Vergaras
island pasture in the Rio Grande.
Mrs. vergara pleaded with her hus.
band not to risk seizure by the Mexi-
cans. but disregarding her warnings,
ne crossed the river in company with
MS young nephew. Mrs. Vergara
since has told how she saw her hus-
band assaulted by the waiting soldiers
ana after being knocked unconscious,
carried on. Nergara's nephew. at the
time OF the attack on his uncle. eS-
capped to safety and hid in the bru sh
until he could re-cross the river.
Dressed His Wounds.
On the following dav Mrs. vergara
went in search OF her husband aud
found him in the Hidalgo jail. SO ;ar
as known there was no charge again {
him. He had been cruelty beaten, ac-
cordlng TO the wife; She dressed. the
mained with him until forced TO leave.
rhat was the last time she ever saw
MIN alive. for early next morning he
was taken from the Jail. supposedly 10
De transferred to Piedras Negras and
disappeared.
When search was begun for the
missing American, IL was learned
that man had been shot and his body
hanged To tree outside of Hidall,o,l
early Sunday morning, February Is.
ana the body left hanging for several
days. Soon after United States Con-
SUI Garret at Neuvo Laredo. Mexico.
started his Inquiries. this body was
removed and fresh grave was no
ticed in the old Hidalgo cemetery.
Mexicans who had known the ranch-
man said the body seen hanging was
that OF vergara. and that they believed
he was buried i'm the new grave.
IL nnally was determined to the sat
isfaction OF the American investiga-
tors that he had been executed.
FedersIs Denied Execution.
Persistent denial was made by the
Mexican Federals, however. and prior
10 this General Alvarez. commander
at Piedras Negras. had promised
American Consul Blocker at Piedras
Negras, that Vergara would be re-
leased and his captors called 10 ac-
count; This allayed the fears of his
friends until his continued absence
set In motion an exhaustive inyestiga-
tion. In which the United States gov
ernment took part. Consul Garrett
Continued on Page Ten)