Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-03-25
SON OF FORMER WEALTHY LAND
OWNER DEAD If VILLAS ORDER
WAS oeEYEp.
LETTER RECEIVED IN e. PAso
TELLS OF DEATH ORDER
Tarrazas Family Fails in Effort to
Raise Money to Pay Heavy Ransom
Promise Of Villa That Young
Mans Life Will Bs Spared Appar-
emily isnored-Parent Hopeful.

Ell Paso, Tex. March 25.--An author
ative private letter dated Chihuahua,
March %, received here today. states
that Luis Terrazas, Jr., was to be
executed today unless he delivers the
equivalent to s25o,0O0 in gold to Cen
eral Villa.
The letter follows:
"Chihuahua, March 23.-Luis Tar
razas, Jr., held for ransom by the
rebels ever since General Villa occu-
pied Chihuahua nve months ago. will
be executed in chihuahua on Wednes-
day. March 25. unless 100000 Mexican
dollars are paid by that time. Assur-
ances are not given that he will be
at that time.
"Terrazas is the SON Of the one-time
rich Mexican land owner who until
his lands were confscated by the rebels
and he himself was forced to seek
safety In the United States. was ac-
counted one Of the most powerful men
under the Diaz regime. Up to the
present the prisoners family believed
he was more valuable to the rebels
alive than dead. A summary notice
that fixed sum must be paid into the
rebel treasury within twenty-four
hours was served on him last Satur-
day, but thru the efforts Of the Ameri-
can consul. Marion Letcher. tho time
was extended three days longer.
Orders to Kill Positive.
Colonel Anacleto j. Giron. the 1efe
de armes. on Sunday announced he had
positive orders TO carry out the execu-
tion. Representatives of several for
eign governments then appealed.
""If the money Is paid what assuf-
ancesa will be given that Terrazas will
be liberated Giron was asked. I have
not been advised on that point SAID
the rebel officer. Il simply received
orders from my superiors that 100000
pesos must be paid.
"If 1t is not paid -- - Then
he will be shot, answered Colonel
Giron.
appeals for more time were made.
with the result that Terrazas was
given three days extension. Meantime
influence was brought to bear in the
United states, where the father of the
prisoner is refugee. SO far as
known no definite arrangements for
the payment OF the money have been
agreed upon.
LIE Threatened Many Times.
Many times since his capture Ter
razas nfe has been threatened. His
father. who is past 80, recently In El
Paso offered to give his own life for
that Of his son. my son Is father OF
thirteen children and they need him.
said General Terrazas. have not
much longer to live and II they take
me in his place will CO.
After General Mercado. the federal
military governor. evacuated Chihua-
hua, taking with him many rtch fan :
flies who feared death at the hands
OF the rebels. Terrazas. Jr.. decided
to remain here with HIS family. not
only because he did not wish the
women and children to endure the
hardships Of travel with troops over
the desert to OJinaga. but also be.
cause he elected to remain II
possible in custody Of property left oy
his father.
Villa Violates Promise.
When Villa entered the city one VI
his first acts was to demand the sur
render of Terrazas, who had taken
refuge in the British consulate. he
was turned over tu villa .: premise
that he would not be executed. At one
time he was made to submit to aimos'
fatal torture in an effort to make him
tell where gold was hidden.
General Terrazas. when given the
substance of the letter. said that II
was the first he had heard OF the ne"
peril to his son.
II must retain some hope Tor MS
life because Villa knows my son mas
no money and what little is left is in
INV nossession," said the general
"yilla also promised Washington that
Luis would not be murdered. They
made it a condition that ] would re-
frain from political activity. and this
1 have done"