The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1914-02-24
SlGx ..Tl0y ATTENTIONS DEATH
Briton is Executed by the Rebels at
Juarez-Angry Refugees Hold
Mass Meeting.

OF indignation broke today along the
barder when it became known that
William S. Benton, a British sub
ject and wealthy land holder IN
Mexico, had been executed by rebels
in Juarez after he had made pro-
test to Gen. Francisco Villa about
alleged depredations of the consti-
tutionalists.
A mass meeting was arranged and
resolutions were adopted ceAsuring
the State department at Washington
FOR its alleged suppression Of the
consular report of the Benton case
and calling on congress to demand
from the department of State full
record of alleged crimes and out
RACES against foreigners in Mexico,
Hold Mass Meeting.
The meeting came as the climax
of a DAY of excitement caused by the
news of the death of Benton. The
meeting was first called for CleVe-
land square but Mayor Kelley, in a
letted 10 Geor ge Curry, former gov
ernor of New Mexico, asked him to
q rent a hall, as he regarded an open
meeting as dangerous. The mayor
said he would suppress any attempt
to hold the meeting in the open. a
theatre was rented and messengers
turned the crowd from Cleveland
square to the building.
Former Governor Curry was the
principal speaker. He was named
committee of one at an impomptu
indignation meeting in the lobby of
4 the Hotel Sheldon, to investigate the
killing of Benton, but his investiga-
ton developed nothing not precious
- ly published.
Mr.. Curry first went to Thomas D,
Edwards, United States consul at
Juarez.
'Mr. Consul" he said, "the people
of Ell Paso and foreign refugees
from Mexico are in a feverish state
because of the mu, der Of William
Benton. They have been unable to
learn details of the crime and have
. asked me to seek information. Any
light you can shed on the subject
would be appreciated.
q have telegraphed the SECRETARY
of State that Benton's death has
been officially reported to me" re-
piled the consul. Such othe. =
tails l have forwarded to Wash.
ton by mail. Gen. Villa said he did
not care to talk of the case to the
press or public, but gave me the in
formation for Mrs Benton, the
widow, and the State department
They are at liberty to talk, but
promised the general I would re-
main silent"
Nay Be Misleading.
Asked as to his use of tne p2rase
Officially reported dead" and if ne
personally thought the official report
by Villa might have been misiead-
3 ing, the consu! said that inasmuch
as the rebels have been sending Chi
Euahaa prisoners to Juarez, and
( Juarez prisoners 10 Chihuahua, he had
faint nope tnat Villa might, for his
own reason, have misled him. This
moyning the consul watched the train
bearing Villa and his staff and about
20 others hoping to catch sight Of
Benton, but had seen none but Mex
leans.
Benton disappeared Tuesday.
Mr.. Edwards made his first inquiry
Of Villa yesterday on receipt of IN
structions from Secretary Bryan, who
made the in oocfoab,Vgos
made the request at the instance of
the British ambassador, Sir Cecil
Spring-Rice
MIR. Edwards, Villa is reported
as saying "Mr Benton is dead. You
are an official of the American gov
eminent and 1 give you this as o1i-
eially your due. have made denials
to other inquiries, as this is not a
matter for the public. 1t IS for the
information of the widow and of the
State department."
What else passed between them
Mr.. Edwards would not say.
The consul telegraphed the bare.
announcement to Washington last
" night and the news reached El Paso
through press dispatch when Secre-
tary Bryan made the information