The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-02-21
w. S. Benton, Rich Ranch
Owner, Put to Death
i'm Juarez.
GEN. VILLA IN FLIGHT
ScOtchman Went to Leader
to Ask Protection for
His Lands.
BRITISH ENVOY NOTIFIED
Ambassador Calls at State DE.
partment After Receiv-
ing Report.

Ell PAso. Feb. co.-william S. Rem.
ton, the wealthy Scotch ranch owner
who was killed In Juarez on Tuesday
night. lost his life because he would not
swallow an unspeakable insult and a
blow in the face from Pancho villa. the
rebel leader.
Whether he was shot by villa him.
self as he lay on the floor at the feet
Of the rebel chieftain or was executed
at the order of hasty court martial il
"A matter for conjecture tonight.
Bentons Mexican wife insists that he
was murdered in cold blood and is cry
ing for vengeance. His cousin, partner
with him in the great ranch the spolia-
ton of which sent him to protest To
villa, asserts that Benton was unarmed
when he went to the rebel leaders, Of
flee. Villa declares that the Scotch
rancher was in a plot to assassinatc him
and came to him armed to kill him il
he got the chance.
explanation Of the killing to T. u. Ed
wards. the United States Consul last
night, he left Juarez hurriedly for Chi
huahua on a special train carrying a
carload Of ammunition just cleareA
through the American custom house.
Apparently no one was present in
Villas office after the insult was offered
few people saw the start of the in
terview. but when BENTON went to the
floor from the pistol blow they fled. In
formation as to what happened from
that moment is lacking. except what
was contained in Villas statement to
Mr. Edwards and in the official explana-
ton by the rebel officials left in Juarez
that Benton was executed for attempt
ing to take the life of Gen. Villa"
Mexican Describes scene.
Mexican who was present when
Villa first received Benton told tonight
his version Of the affair. but insisted
that his name he withheld, fearing the
heavy hand of tho rebel leader.
Benton was admitted to Villas pres
ence," says this man, and at once be.
gan to speak heatedly Of the wrongs he
had suffered from the rebels.
"'You and your men are bandits. pure
and simple said Benton. You have
taken my horses, destroyed my prop
/ erty and damaged me in every way vet
| YOU pose before the world as civilized
warriors. You are lighting for loot and
| power.
Villa then rose from behind the small
desk at which he was sitting" continues
THE SUNS informant, "and shaking his
fist at the Scotchman, exclaimed You
are IA Federal sympathzor and you have
aided the asssssins of Madero in every
way. ! am going to drive YOU out Of
the country. you ---'
Then villa slapped Benton full in thu
face. The rancher was inf,amed with
anger.
damn you. FanChu Villa he
| shouted, i am as good a man as YOU
are and ! will not take that insult
He sprang at Villa with his bare
hands. The giant rebel stepped back "A
pace and coolly struck him over the head
with a heavy revolver. As Benton lay
on the floor he lcvellcd the weapon. A
woman who was in the room-I do not
know whether II was the Generals wife
or not-rushed In front Of him, grasped
his arm and begged him not To shoot
Then | and the others In the room ran
out and do not know what happened
afterward,"
villa Issues statement.
When Consul Edwards heard ~ the
shooting he summoned Villa to the Con
sulate for "A conference. This morning
he announced the death of Benton.
which had been reported for many
hours. and gave out a statement the
rebel General asked him to make. Villa
Is quoted as saying:
when Benton appeared in my office
carrying a revolver and began to abuse
me ] knew he had come to kill me- a.
had evidence that he was IN the plot
TO take my life, He thought to enraGe
me and then get a chance To kill me and
attempt to show 1t was done in self
defence. Then he would have had the
millions OF Mexican cientificos to back
him In his fight for liberty nfterwartl
He hoped for this and then expected to
escape To FL Paso in the confusion and
from there night eNtradition'
Mr. Edwards would tell nothing else of
what happened last night except to say
, that he sent word to villa that the United
States had instructed him 10 intercede