Daily Kennebec journal., 1914-03-09

Continued from Page One)
Vergara cossed the river to meet the
Mexican Federals, who promised re-
muneration for stolen horses Moving
silently, they began the overland
march to Hidalgo, a distance of about
five miles. They avoided the town, it
is said and met nobody to question
their journey.
Locate Grave Easily.
Location CT the grave proved an easy
task, for it has been a center of spec
ulation and wonder since it appeared
after a swinging body had been cut
down from the place of execution,
when the hue and cry over Vergara's S
disappearance started an investigation.
The body had been rudely inferred
with little effort to protect it.
With their burden fixed on a stretch
er, carried by six of Vergara's friends,
the procession started unchallenged on
the return journey
1t is understood that thorough ex-
animation of the body has been or
dered by the state authorities.
Vergara left his ranch near Pala-
fox, Texas. Friday, Feb. 13, and cross
ed the river into Mexico in answer to
a message from three Federal soldiers.
that Captain Apolnio Rodriguez of the
Hidalgo garrison, wished to settle for
IL horses taken from Vergara's island
pasture in the Rio Grande Mrs. Ver-
CARA pleaded with her husband not to
risk seizure by the Mexicans, but he
crossed the river with his young neph-
ew. Mrs. Vergara since has told how
she saw the soldiers knock her hus-
band unconscious and carry him away.
Vergara's nephew hid in the brush un-
til he could re-cross the river.
Wife Found Him Beaten.
On the following day Mrs. Vergara
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, ac-
cording to the wife. She dressed the
wounds of his head, she said, and re-
mained with him until forced to leave.
That was the last time she ever saw
him alive, for early next morning he
was taken from the Jail, supposedly
to be transferred to Piedras Negras,
and disappeared.
When a search was begun for the miss
ing American it was learned that man
had been shot and his body hanged to
tree outside of Hidalgo early Sunday
morning, Feb. 10, and that the body had
been left hanging for several days.
Soon after Consul Garrett started his
inquiries this body was removed and a
fresh grave was noticed in the old Hidal-
go cemetery.
Mexicans who had known the ranchman
said the board seen hanging was that of
Vergara and that they believed he was
buried In the new grave.
1t finally was determined to the salts
faction of the American investigators
that he had been executed.
Persistent denial was made by the Mex
ican Federals. however, and prior to this
Gen. Alvarez, commander at Piedras Ne
gras, had promised American Consul
Blocker that vergara would be released
and his captors called to account
This allayed the fears OF his friends
until his continued absence startel an
exhaustive investigation in which the
United States government took part.
Consul Garrett proceeded to Hidalgo
and personally interviewed Capt. Rod
riguez, the man held responsible for
Vergara's kidnapping, but the Fed
eral captain said that Vergara had
been sent to Pedras Negras, but had
escaped en- route and that the FEEDER
ais were certain he had Joined the
Constitutionalists.