The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1914-02-21

ton The warning, it now appears
came too late.
1t is supposed that Villas defense
will be that the man was shot be-
cause he entered Villas office and
started to draw a. gun. although the
cousin says Benton did rot go to
Juarez armed. Benton had been in
Mexico FOR about twenty-five years. He
was about As years old.
Benton and Villa have been ac-
quaintances for many years. Benton
knew him WREN as an outlaw more or
less accepted as a part of the Mexican
social fabric, he crossed the Benton
ranch west Of the city Of Chihuahua.
The ranch of 100000 acres, is known
as Los Remedies and is considered
one Of the best in Mexico. Benton
paid $4,000 for it but improvements
are said TO have brought the value
close to 81 600, 900.
WENT TO COMPLAIN.
1t was the assurance of this &C
quaintance behind him that the
Scotchman, whose courage, if not his
discretion, is admired, went to Villa
with complaint of the depredations
committed on his property. Yesterday
Villa, who has consistently denied that
he had Benton in custody, told re
porter that Benton was armed when
he made his visit.
Friends of the ranchman assert that
Benton while of fiery temper, never
was known to carry a gun. His great
reason for going unarmed was his own
knowledge of his temper.
In the course of the interview Ben
ton and Villa quarreIed, and Benton
was lost to view of his friends. James
Hambleton, an EngIishman, and others
exhausted every means of ascertaining
Benton's fate but were met with eva
sions and denials. Consul Edwards was
the first to learn the true facts.
Il have telegraphed all details at
my command to Washington" said the /
consul, and if made public, it must |
be from there. I pledged my word to /
Villa not to make the details public"
Asked what disposal had been made |
of the body. Edwards replied;
Il do not think it will be seen on |
this side of the border
Villas sudden departure with his /
staff this morning is regarded as flight |
from the storm of Indignation which !
was presASed by interest manifested in /
Bentons disappearance.
TIME FOR FOREIGNERS TO ACT.
As the day wore on, talk of a mass |
meeting grew but took no definite !
shape. Excited knots of American.
English, French and German refugees /
who have lost their property in Mex
leo, or compelled to abandon it tenn
porarily, asserted that the time had
come for foreigners to voice their sem
timents and protest against being dealt
out to them.
Since The revolutions began they
~ I4rF /
have accepted their burdens stoicalIy.
1t was understood among border news
paper mon that the names of the for
eigners who divulge news not to be
made public for fear of consequences
when they set foot on Mexican soil
again.
The fate OF Gustav Bauch, the Ger
man American charged with being
spy, is still unknown. According to
official report, he is said to be held
in communicate but for all his friends
know, he may be dead.
The fact that Benton's alleged exc
rution took place Tuesday night IS
thought to mean by many that Villa
court martial report was given out TO
yer the fact that Villa personally
OF his visitor in the course of their
quarrel
i he ulSdSEeeHIeLly tLle '-ou4 = l11hl eA''i
and the executive, all in part of one
lay. is thought to be too rapid for
egal procedure across the river. Vii
as sudden departure is also consid-
cred in connection with this theory.
Talking with a, reporter over the tel
sphone Consul Edwards made a re
mark:
"I have officially reported Benton
lead because his death was officially
to me. Personally / may |
nave my hopes and my doubts. will
say nothing more"