The daily sentinel. [volume] (Grand Junction, Colo.) 1893-current, 1914-02-20
Tried and Executed For Alleged
Attempt to Kill General;
BRYAN Investigates.
Associated Press.

Associated Press.
Ell Paso, Tex, Feb. 20-Wnliam S.
Benton, Scotchman, subject OF
Great Britain. is dead. His death
was confirmed by General villa and
conveyed to his widow here by Thos.
d. Edwards. American consul at
Juarez. Benton was big rancher
owner in Mexico. Edwards said
that villa had confirmed the report.
but had asked him not to make pub
lie the details except in official dis
patches to his government
Benton was executed Tuesday
night after trial by military court at
Juarez, OF which FREDERICK Gozales
Cara is the head. according to what
appears, as the correct version of the
affair. on the charge that Benton
was Implicated in plot to take vii
la S life. villa left for the south to-
day by special train.
The fact that the alleged execution
had occurred Tuesday night was
thought by many to mean that VII
la $ court martial report was given
out to cover the fact that villa had
personally shot his visitor in the
course of a quarrel.
There was disagreement in court
martial execution. All one day was
thought too rapid a procedure.
Villas sudden departure was also
considered in this connection. The
theory OF his departure is regarded
as flight from the storm of indigna-
tion which was presaged by the in
terest manifested by Benton's sudden
disappearance.
Excited groups of American. Eng
fish, French and German refugees
from Mexico asserted the time would
come when foreigners will voice a
protest against the treatment given
them in Mexico.
The case of Gustav Bauch. the
German-American charged with be-
ing spy, is still being heard
Benton was last seen alive in Juar-
ez Tuesday morning. He was max
ing his way to Villas home and said
he was going to tell villa what he
thought of him" for the manner in
which his ranch in western Chihua-
hua had been looted by rebel SOL
diers. Instructions were sent by the
state department yesterday to Con-
sui Edwards, 1t is reported, to see
that no harm came to Benton. the
instructions being sent upon request
of the british ambassador. The warn
iibf IL INV dPBtdios 'amc Loo Aatt.
1t is supposed that Villas defense
will be that the man shot, because
when he entered Villas office he
started to draw gun, although a
cousin of Benton. says he did not go
to Juarez armed.
Benton had been in Mexico twenty
five years, and had known Villa a
long time.
Friends declare that Benton was
possessed of a fiery temper and was
ready to use his fists. For this rea
son he did not carry agun In the
course of the interview Benton and
Villa quarreled and Benton was lost
to the view of his friends. James
Hamilton, an Englishmsn, and 9TH
ers, including reporters, exhausted
every means to ascertain his fate, but
everywhere were met by evasions and
denials.
Consul Edwards was the first to
learn the true facts. Asked what dis
position would be made of the body
Edwards said:
II don't think it will be seen on
this side of the border
The call for mass meeting OF
protest was posted this afternoon. 1t
will be held at 1880 tonight. For
mer Governor Curry of New Mexico
will address the meeting. 1t is said
that villa has promised to mark Ben
toms grave.
In talking with reporters over the
telephone Consul Edwards made this
remark: II have officially reported
Benton dead because his death was
officially reported to me. Personally
| may have my hopes or doubts, but
I'll say nothing more
Associated Press.
Washington. d. c., Feb. 20.-Sec-