The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1914-02-21

Ell PASO. Texas, Feb. 20.-A storm
Of indignation broke today along the
border when II became known that
William s. Benton, a British subject
had been executed by rebels In Ju-
arez after he had made a protest to
Gneral Francisco Villa about alleged
depredations OF the constitutionalists.
A mass meeting was arranged and
resolutions were drawn up censuring
the state department at Washington
for its alleged suppression of the con-
sular report of the Benton case and
calling on congress to demand from
the department of state a full record
OF alleged crimes and outrages against
foreigners in Mexico.
The meeting came as the climax OF
a day OF excitement caused by news
of the death OF Benton. The meeting
was first called for Cleveland square.
but Mayor Kelly in a letter 10 George
Curry, former governor of New Mex
leo. asked him to rent hall, as he
GUS. The mayor said he would sup
press any attempt TO hold the meeting
In the open. A theatre was rented
and messengers turned the crowd
from Cleveland square to the building.
Curry Principal Speaker.
Former Governor George Curry of
New Mexico was to be the principal
speaker. He was named committee
of one at an impromptu indignation
meeting in the lobby OF the Hotel
Sheldon. headquarters of foreigners
driven cut OF Mexico, to investigate
the killing OF Benton. but his inquiries
developed nothing not previously pub
lished.
Mr.. Curry went first to Thomas ID.
Edwards, United States consul at
Juarez. MIR. Consul" ne said, "the
people of FL Paso and the foreign ref
ugees from Mexico are in a feverish
state because of the murder OF VIII
Lam Benton. They have been unable
TO learn details of the crime and have
asked me to seek information. Any
iight you can shed on the subject will
be appreciated"
81 have telegraphed the secretary
OF state that Benton's death has been
officially reported to me-" replied the
consul. such other detailsI have for
warded TO Washington by mail. Gen
eral Villa said he did not care TO talk
OF the case to the press or public
but gave me the information for Mrs.
Benton. the widow. and the state de
partment. They are at liberty 10 talk,
but ! promised the general I would
remain silent"
Hoped He Had Been MisIead.
Asked as TO his use of the phrase
officially reported dead" and IL he
personally thought the official report
by Villa might have been misleading,
the consul said that inasmuch as the
rebels have been sending chihuahua
prisoners to Iuarez. and Juarez pris-
oners TO Chihuahua. he had had a
faint hope that Villa might. for hts
own reasons. have misled him.
This morning the consul watched
the train having villa and his stan
and about 20 others on board. hoping
TO catch sight OF Benton. but had seen
none but Mexicans. Benton disap-
Mr.. Edwards made his first inquiry
Of villa yesterday afternoon on re.
ceipt OF Instructions from Secretary
Bryan, who made the request AZ The
instance OF the British Ambassador
Sir Cecil Spring-Rice.
Mr.. Edwards" villa Is reported as
saving. Mr.. Benton Is dead. You
are an official Of the American gov
efhment and ] give YOU this a. Of
neatly your due. ! have made deniaIs
10 other inquiries. a. this is not a
matter for the public. II is for tho
Information Of tho widow and the
state department"
., What else passed between them
Mr.. Edwards would not state ana
Mrs. Benton was unable 10
The counsel telepgraphed the hare
announcement 90 Washington and tho
news reached ~ paso through a prees
despatch when Secretary Bryan made
the information public today.
Solitary Confinement
Generally it was believed that VII.
Ia who had known Benton for vears
was trying solitary confinement a. n
corrective 20 BentOn's well known
Imposition 10 speak his mind frankly
without regard 20 consequence
Edwards waited until after bis last
hope faded away with tho Departure
of the train this morning before In
forming Mrs. Benton that her hug
band was dead
She is Mexican. and while highly