The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1914-03-04
AS He Went Unarmed To
Villas Quarters.
THE FACTS OF BENTONS DEATH
Shot Through Stomach After
He Entered Office To
Lodge Protest.


Washington. Feb. William
S. Benton. British subject, slain at
Juarez, was unarmed and was shot
to death when in Villas Office. pistol
bullets through the stomach ending
his life, according to conclusive in.
formation which has reached Wash.
ington officials.
While no statement to this effect
was forthcoming to-day. slackening
of official interest in the proposed
post-mortem on Benton's body was
evident, the belief being that the ex-
animation would be useful only in
that il might serve to supplement
the evidence OF timid witnesses who
possibly would withdraw otherwise
their oral statements.
Benton carried no arms when he
approached Villas Office in Juarez.
according to information: he spent
two hours waiting for the interview
that ended in his death. walking
back and forth in front of the Office
building.
He was shot through the stomach
after he entered the Office and re-
ceived other wounds afterward. al
though the first was mortal
The post-mortem. it is said, may
serve to confirm the character of the
wounds, though the probable state
of the body in tropical climate II
days after death may defeat even
this purpose.
General instructions as to the
method of examination to be pursu
ed We're issued to-day by the State
and War Departments to their rep
resentatives at FL Paso. II is real
ICED that local conditions must de-.
termine the details and only broad
lines We're drawn in the directions.
1t was not known exactly to-day
when the commission would start
for chihuahua, as that will depend
largely upon the availability OF the
special train which Villa has prom
Used to provide for the transporta
ton of the party.
Secretary Garrison early in the
day authorized General Scott. III
command of the post at FL Paso. 10
detail two army surgeons to make
the medical examination Of the
body, and Acting Secretary Moore.
of the State Department, said il had
been left to the Collector of Gus
toms and the United States District
Attorney at FL Paso to select two
representatives of the State Depart
ment These representatives. il was
said. probably would be chosen out
side of the Consular Service.
1t is expected here that the mem
beers of the International Commits
sion will journey to Chihuahua on a
special train prolfered by General
villa, and il was said the Commits
sioners would choose the time of
their departures as well as the time
for the examination of lienton's
body.
The examination of the body is 10
be conducted entirely by the United
States authorities. the British view
being that the responsibility rests
upon the State department, which
has undertaken 10 get at all the
facts just as il would in the ease of
an American citizens murder.
The British Ambassador has Ia
ken frequent opportunity to make ev-
ident the satisfaction which his Gov
eminent felt at the attitude of the
state Department in this matter. ad
ding another tribute to-day To the
activity which has marked the pros
eeution of the inquiry ever since the
first demand was made upon villa
for access TO the body of Benton.