New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-02-21
Woman Pleads for Benton.

Woman Pleads for Benton.
When Benton had been knocked down
hy Villa. according 10 the report made hy
an alleged eyewitness. he pointed pistol
AZ the PROSTATE Englshman. II was then
that the unknown woman rushed between
tho men and begged villa not TO shoot.
saving that she was frightened and did
not wish 10 see a tragedy.
10 is said that villa and Benton both
left the room during the excitement which
followed several rebel officers having
rushed In when they heard the noise or
the fsht
What happened between that moment
and the execution Of Benton is not even
pretended TO be known by any one An
hour later. Il is asserted. a rebel firing
squad in the corral Of the Jefetura exc
cutcd the order Of the hastily constituted
court. and the man who had complained
about his cattle being stolen fell crum-
pied mass against the adobe wall.
Fearing that q public meeting which
was 10 have been held in Cleveland
Square tonight to give expression 10
local Indignation over the execution of
I
riot. Mayor G.. f. Kelly appealed TO eX-
Governor George Curry Of New Mexico
TO have the meeting called off. Curry was
10 have been the principal speaker at the
meeting As a result OF the Mayors pro-
test and because city and county officials
threatened to take steps to prevent the
meeting in the open square theatre was
secured. and I'm it gathered as many as
could possibly find space
Widow Told Of Villas Act.
Benton's death was the sole topic OF
conversation on the border to-day. The
news Of the affair followed visit 10 Ben
TONS widow by the American Consul
Thomas d. Edwards. who Informed her
that he had been officially advised by
Villa that her husband was dead. 10 the
widow the consul gave the details or the
Embellishments death as they had been
given 10 him by Villa
Mrs. Benton was sworn TO secrecy as 70
the manner Of her husbands death. Con-
sul Edwards had given Villa his promise
that he would tell TO no one except the
widow and his government how Benton
had heen nut out Of the way, and he kept
his nromIse. It was from others who
knew. hut who had been sworn to secrecy.
that the manner Of Bentons death De
came known.
Leading up 10 the disappearance Of
Benton was his statement 10 several
friends that he was going 10 Juarez -
have n out" with villa. That he did not
cxpect trouble and did not plan causing
any was shown by the fact that he went
unarned. This has been definitely
learned from his wife, his cousin, Will
lam Benton. and from close personal
friends who talked with him on Tuesday
morning before his DEPARTURE. When he
did not return home on Tuesday night
Mrs. Benton became alarmed and the
search for him was started.
Benton was native Of Aberdeens hire
Scotland, and was about forty-fve years
old. He went TO Mexico from Scotland
when young man. William Benton, his
cousin. SAYS Benton had been in Mexico
for thirty years. but IL is thought by his
friends that he came to Mexico when
twenty-five years old lie worked over
Northern Mexico as mining man,
raDcher and prospector. lie finally set
lied permanently on the Hacienda Los
Remedies. near Santa Rosalia. in the
State Of Chihuahua.
William S. Benton was associated with
his cousin, William. in the hacienda
and had improved 1t until 1t was show
place Of Northern Mexico, when the revo-
luton started. Benton is reported IN Chi
huahua TO have paid 81 % an acre for the
lOo. 900 acres which made up the hacienda
and 1t is now estimated 10 be worth ST.
100000 He ran a large herd OF cattle on
the ranch, in addition 70 the agricultural
and other ranch products.
When the revolution started Benton's
cattle we're killed for the armies Of occu-
patton. and he reduced his herd TO only n
few hundred. only a week ago he had
shipped fine cattle from his ranch TO the
border. and these were seized by Villa $
agents and were not permitted TO cross.
his ri, DIS say.