The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-03-09
Shot Full of Holes and Other
wise Mutilated.
ACT IS SHROUDED IN MYSTERY
Nobody Seems to Know Who
Are Responsible Parties.
Everybody in Authority Denies
knowledge of the Affair.

sticking in the soft earth of the grave
and around the handle of the imple-
ment a card with the word ''Recuer-
dos (remembrance) was the single
trace, today Of the mysterious night
visit OF a party of unidentified men to
the Hidalgo, Mexico, cemetery who dis
inferred the body of Clemente vergara
and returned it to Texas for burial by
his family.
The body was here today awaiting an
examination which state authorities
hope may disclose something to aid
them in placing the blame for the
ranchnian's violent death after he was
taken prisoner by Mexican federals. A
superficial examination Of the body dis
closed two gunshot wounds in the head,
one in the neck, a blow as If from q
rifle butt, which crushed the skull and
the mutilated left hand twisted and
charred by fire. suggested that torture
had been inflicted before Vergara was
executed.
The rangers of the troop of Captain
J. ]. Sanders, were first declared re-
sponsfble for the return of Vergara's
body from Mexico, but later this was
denied. Captain Sanders was one of
three men who ''were informed that
the body would be found at a desig-
mated place. above Laredo, where the
unidentified men had placed it. The
other two were American Consul Gar
rett Of Nuevo Laredo. Mexico. and
the scene ostensibly to secure further
Information on Vergara's case, but ad-
mitted later that they had been told
that the body had been returned. Who
were their informants was one OF
numerous questions each of the Off
cials in turn refused to answer. They
did say, however, that neither the
United States nor the state of Texas
officials had any part in the actual
trip into Mexico. Later rumors said
had taken matters into their own
hands.
Suspicious that Mexican officials
might have taken this method of f<re-
States were forestalled by a remark of
Consul Garrett. who expressed the be-
lief late last night that they did not
yet know of the body's removal.
Despite the mystery as to who was
responsible for the return of the body
there seemed little doubt as to the
actual facts of the recovery of the
body.
Nine Men in Party.
There were only nine men in the
party who gathered on the river bank
late Saturday night near the point
| where vergara was alleged to have
been seized Feb. 13. by Captain Apol-
onio Rodriguez and three federal SOL
diers. A Mexican who claimed
| to have witnessed both the
| execution and burial of Vergara. led
them across country toward Hidalgo
and skirting the sleeping town showed
them a new grave in a far corner of
| the cemetery which had caused COM
| ment when Vergara's disappearance
became known. The grave was shall
low and no care had been exercised to
protect the body from the covering
earth. A crude pine box soon was lift
| ed out and the workers evidently had
known the ranchman for they made
certain they had the body they sought.
The homeward journey began with
the party still unchallenged. Once
back on American soil they rested
their burden for final Identification.
This was made by the family and
the body was consigned to the waiting
officials.
| The party had no permission from
Mexican authorities to make the trip
and secure the body and Consul Gar
rett said last night that he never re-
ouested permission from the federals
to have this done. What cosnplica-
tions, if any, might result from the trip
| into foreign territory. apparently caus-
| ed no uneasiness among Vergara's e
4 friends.
Was Not the Rangers.
Austin, Tex, March 9.-Oficial inter-
est here today in the recovery of the
body Of Clemente Vergara from Mexi-
co, was centered in the expected re-
port of Captain ]. ]. Sanders. COM
manding the Texas rangers at Laredo,
one of the men to whom the body was
given in charge and who had been ac-
lively in touch with the Vergara in
| vestigation since it developed interna-
tional compass. 1t was Captain Sand
ers' troop of rangers which was at first
reported to have recovered the body
and an official telegram from Sanders
to Governor Colquitt. the first received
by the state department authorities
gave this impression
II proceeded to Hidalgo, Mexico, OBJ
tanned body of Vergara" was the mes
sage given out at the executive de-
partment early Sunday night as sent
by Captain Sanders from Laredo, where
he took Vergara's body. After a con-
versation with Captain Sanders over
the long distance telephone, at mid
night Governor Colquitt gave out 9
statement correcting the original tele-
gram. This statement announced the
rangers had no part in the recovery
from Mexico, did not cross the inter.
national line and the men responsible
for the recovery of the body are moi
known. Governor ColQuitt came to hi!