The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-02-25
lMG9v II BaITeA's MURDER.
WEALTHY LAND OWNER SAID 10
HAVE BEEN EXECUTED by
REBELS.
ksHase~ Hold Mass Meeting 70 Dis.
CUES Mattcr-Think that statement
by Rebel General villa should
lssvc Been Made Public-Occur.
rcncc Causes Much Excitement.

Iisvc Been Made Public-Occur.
rcncc Causes Much Exciscmcnt.
nj Paso. Texas. Feb. 2o.--A storm
81 indignation broke today along the
border when II became known that
william 3. rpenion. O British sub.
teet and wealthy lana holder In
Mexico, had been executed by rebels
In Juarez after he had mode q pre-
test to Gen. Francisco villa about
alleged depredations OF, the eonsti-
tntionalista
A mass meeting was arranged and
resolutions were adopted censuring
the state department at Washington
for It's alleged suppression of the
consular report Of the Benton case
and calling on congress to demand
from the department OF state full
record Of alleged. crimes and out
rases against foreigners In Mexico.
The meeting came rs the climax
OF a day OF excitement caused b. the
news Of the death Of Benton. The
meeting wes first called for Cleve-
land square but Mayor Kelley. In q
letter TO George Curry. former gov
srnor OF New. Mexico, asked him to
rent hall, as he regarded an open
meeting as, dangerous. The mayor
kaid he would suppress any attempt
TO hold the ebmcetins IN the open. A
theatre was rented and messengers
turned the crowd from Cleveland
square to the building.
Former Gov. Curry was the prin-
cipai speaker, He was named .
committee Of one ut an irnpromptu
Indignation meeting In the lobby Of
the Hotel Sheldon. to investigate the
killing OF Benton. but his investiga-
ton developed. nothing not previous
ly published.
Mr. Curry first went to Thomas d.
Edwards. United States consul at
Juarer.
Mr.. Consul" ne said. tho people
OF Fl Paso and foreign refugees
from Mexico are In q feverisb state
because of.the murder Of William
Benton. They have. been unable 70
learn details OF the crime and have
asked me TO- seek Information. Any
light you cen shed on the subject
would be appreciated"
Il have telesrephsd the secretary
of state thar Bcnton's death has
been officially reported to me-" re-
piled the consul Such other de-
tails have forwarded to Washing
ton b. rnail Gen. villa said he did
not care 70 talk OF tho. case 10 the
preS or public. but gave me the in
formation for Mrs. Benton. the
widow. ana the state department.
They are at liberty TO talk. but 1
promised the general, would 70.
main siicnt''.
Asked az to his use OF tho phrase
Officially reported dead" and II ne
personally thought tho official report
by Villa might have been misiead-
ing. the consul said that inasmuch
as tho rebels have been sending Chi
huahua prisoners TO Juarez. and
Juarez prisoners TO chihuahua, ne had
q faint hopo that Villa might. for his
own reasons. have misled him. This
morning the consul watched the train
bearing villa and his stan and about
20 others hoping TO catch sight OF
Benton. but had seen none but Mex-
leans.
Benton disappeared Tuesday.
Mr.. Edwards made his first inquiry
of Villa yesterday on receipt Of in
structions from Secretary Bryan. who
made the request ut tho instance of
the British ambassador. Sir Cecil
Spring Rice.
Edwards waited until after his last
nope fickered away with the depart
%'N - VIZ ouAl tfiiS InOTnluE DeAOEo
informing Mrs. Benton that her hus.
bond was dead. She IL Mexican
and although highly educated un-
derstands the English language i'm
perfectly. The consul spoke In his
own tongue and the result was that
while no was telling his tragic story.
the widow. on the verge of a nervous
breakdown. because OF her sustained
anxiety. gathered only the purport of
the tale--that her husband was dead.
Villa had gone. and thus his vcr-
sion of the story remained locked up
In the consuls breast and in his roc
ords The inability OF Bcnton's friends
TO get definite details had much to
do In arousing excitement.
Tho many persons who knew him
well In Chihuahua and along the bor-
a a.