The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1914-03-09

man said the body seen hanging was
that of Vergara, and that they believed
he was buried in the new grave. 1t was
| finally determined to the satisfaction of
the American investigators that he had
been executed.
| Persistent denial was made by the
Mexican federals, however, and prior to
| this Gen. l.. Alvarez, commander at Pied
ras Negras, had promised American Con
sui Blocker there that Vergara would
be released and his captors called to ac.
count. This allayed the fears of his
friends until his continued absence start
ed an exhaustive investigation, in which
the United States government took a
part.
Consul Garrett proceeded to Hidalgo,
and personally interviewed Captain Rod
riguez, the man held responsible for Ver-
gara's kidnapping, but the federal cap.
tain said Vergara had been sent to Pied
ras Negras, but had escaped en- route,
and that the federals were certain he
lad joined the constitntionalists.
Consul Garrett, however, after inter-
viewing numerous Mexicans and others,
reported officially that Vergara had been
executed. He added that he was con-
WINGED from the federals' attitude while
he was in Hidalgo, that it would have
been dangerous for him to demand sur
render of the body. The investigation
was ordered continued by the state de-
partment, and the state of Texas also
ordered an investigation by the Texas
rangers, the state militia police who
guard the border.
The island pasture of Vergara, where
it first was reported the ranchman had
been assaulted, complicated the affair by
the question whether it was Mexican or
American territory, until it was found
that Vergara had been actually seized
on the Mexican mainland. This rendered
those responsible safe from prosecution
in Texas.
As the horses were alleged to have
been taken from this pasture, however,
and county records showed it belongs
to the state of Texas, Mrs. Vergara
filed an affidavit charging Captain Rod
riguez and three of his men with horse
theft.
Governor Colqutt requested permis.
sion of the United States state depart
ment to send Texas rangers across the
border to pursue the ''abductors and
murderers" of Vergara, and was told by
Secretary of State Bryan that the
United States government alone could
take authority for sending an armed
force into foreign country. Later,
when Mrs. Yergara made the charge of
horse theft, Governor Colquitt asked OF
the state department whom the United
States recognized as constituted author
ity in northern Mexico so that he might
make requisition under the Mexican
treaty for the men named
This question never was answered to
the satisfaction of Governor Colquitt
and the governor announced that to
solve the question, he would requisition
both the federal and constitutionalist
governors of the states of Neuvo Leon
and Chihuahua. This was on Friday, |
and so far as known, the requisition
has not been issued.
Nergara's seizure and disappea rance |
cast the Texas border country in this |
section into turmoil. Many bitter ex-
pressions have been heard, and while |
there has been no sign of disorder, feel |
ing has run high. Dissatisfaction was
keen because of what Yer |
gara's friends considered an uniustitiable
lGlhY III btiN iEtuiH VI bi1
body for burial, and there had been r,l-
mors that an attempt might be made
to obtain it. Interest in the case was
intense last night.
Named in Mrs. Vergara's complaint
were Captain Apolnio Rodriguez and
the following privates of the Hidalgo |
garrison; Nito Sierra, Juan Vastillon |
and Andres Rodriguez. 1t has been said /
that they were transferred to another
post after the Vergara incident became
public.
Their arrest was promised by Gen.
Joaquin Mas, federal commander of the
northern zone of Mexico, when Governor
Jolquitt asked if requisition would be
but it was not said whether
hey would be delivered to Texas au-
.horities.
No further word has come from Cen
,ral Mas.