New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-03-09
Victim Had Been Tortured.

n eAefnlAdllol VI UONN
made in the cemetery showed several
! bullet wounds The skull had been
crushed and the hands charrcd, indi-
eating that the American stockman had
been tortured before being beaten and
{ hanged.
Numerous other bruises and indign-
/ ties were inflicted upon him. The BODY
was attired in trousers undcrshirt and
! hose.
From the time Vergara VAS lured
across the Rio Grando and captured
! friend had kept close watch on devel-
opments, and knew every movement OF
his captors, including tho execution Of
( the American and his burial
/ This knowledge is expected TO PLAY
an important part in Developments OF
! the inquiry that doubtless viii Do OF
dered by the United states go, ern
ment.
/ The quick action OF the armed Texas
! startled the border country. u Is
! known that the American Consul. NJ.
Garret. and his assistants were IN the
vicinity Of the INVASION but what
| part, If any, they played In the AFFAIR
/ was not known here late tonight.
At the time OF the disappearance ~
/ Nergara the commander Of the Fed
era troops al Nueyo Laredo gave oil,
( q statement that the American. after
! his arrest" had been taken 10 Hddlgo
! and locked up, and had escaped and
Joined a band OF Constituencies
| Evidently the Federals did not expect
an American force TO attempt 10 re
cover the body, else IL would have been
removed and hidden or destroyed.
! II is known that ever since the dig
appearance OF Vergara, on February
/ has been active, under instructions
I from the Governor, and few days
ago Governor Colquitt ordered the cap
tain TO file charges OF horse theft
against the four Mexican soldiers who
at the time they lured Vergars across
the international boundary line took
with them eleven head OF horses.
These charges were filed q few days
ago at Laredo and the Governor hopsS
10 be able TO extradte the Mexicans.
Island IN American Territory.
Any doubt as 10 whether the island
where the abduction took place lies IN
Mexican or American territory wss
dispellcd tonight when tho surveyor
OF Webb County, Tex, telegrsphod
Governor Colquitt thar he had meds
careful survey and II showed sbso'
lutely in American territof7.
This proves that the Mexican soldier
crossed into the United SteteS and
lured Vergara across into MEXICO under
the prtext that their commander
wished TO buy some livestock from
him.
When seen after his return this even-
ing Consul Garrett ssid that he bad
nothing 10 give out regarding the So
curing Of Vergara's body. except that
il was delivered 10 him. He said thai
he had announced several days aso
that the body had been located, but did
not know when it would b. delivered
to the American side.
The nine men who crossed the Rso
Grande into Mexico and recovered the
body were all Texans. mostly cowboys.
Those who came in with the body 10
night refused 20 divulgs th. names OF
the men.
lured Over Border by Sotdisrs.
Vergara left his ranch, near Palaio1.
on Friday. February l3. and crossed the
river into Mexico on n message from
three Federal soldiers that Captain Apo
linio Rodriguez, OF the Hdalgo garrison.
wished to settle for eleven horses taken
from Vergaras island pasture, 10 IN.
Rio Grande
Mrs. Vergars pleaded with her husband
not 10 risk seizure by the Mexicsns, but.
disregarding her warnings. he crossed the
river in company with his young nephew.
Mrs Vergara has told how she saw her
husband assaulted by the waiting soldier
and. after being knocked unconscious
carried of. versara's nephew escaped
and hid IN the Dtltn NnNi h' 'Opio At-
cross the river
On the following day Mrs. Nersars
went in search OF her husband and found
him IN the Hidalgo Jail. So far as known.
there was no charge against him. He
had been cruelty beaten. according to tho
wife. She dressed the wounds on his
mead. she said. ard remained with him
until forced TO leave. That was the last
time she ever saw him alive, for early
next morning he was taken from 'ai,
supposedly 10 bc transferred 10 Piedras
Negras ana disappeared.
When 2 search was begun for the miss
ing American il was learned that man
had been shot and his body hanged 10
tree outside OF nidalgc early on Sunday
morning. February Is. and the body left
hanging FOR several days. soon after
Consul Garrett. at Nuevo Laredo, started
his inquiries this body was removed and
fresh grave was noticed in the old H,-
dalgo cemetery.
Mcxicans who had known the ranch
man said the body seen hanging was that