Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1915-01-16
Disguised as Cowboy He
Rode 600 Miles Over
Mountains to u. S.
HE SWIMS RIO GRANDE
American Government Took
Active Interest in the
Senator's Escape

mander OF the federal district, re-
Vealed here today the story of his
sensational escape from death in Mex
leo, the circumstances OF which for
a time threatened TO cause a serious
breach between General Gutirrez and
Generals villa Palafox.
lie said he rode nearly 500 miles
through deserts and over mountains
to the American border, after leaving
a train south Of Chihuahua to avoid
arrest.
The United States government took
an active part in negotiations for Itur-
bide's safety in appreciation OF his
efforts on behalf Of Americans and
other foreigners during the turbulent
days in the Mexican capital following
the a~bdicatiOn OF Huerta. The efforts
Of American Consul Snliman and Leon
CanOva, special agent OF the state de-
partment, in his behalf, aroused the
anger Of General villa and the Zapata
chiefs,
Although Iturbide a been in the
United States for q week, he withheld
the details of his adventures until he
learned tonight that his wife and sis
ANl ll~ldN blNO NCib SUIT Az - Nv
American border.
An Athlete.
The exile, who is a great grandson
OF the Agustin Iturbide, who pro-
claimed himself emperor of Mexico in
1921, and subsequently was executed,
is about SO years old, an athlete, q
crack revolver shot and a polo player.
He was a favorite. with members of
the foreign colony in Mexico City and
had many opportunities to leave along
with other federal officers. Remain
ing as head of the district govern
ment, however, even after the de-
parture OF Carbajal, Huerta's success
sor, he transferred the executive pow
er In persons to General Carranza.
Later he was paroled by C%arranza,
with the understanding that he would
be tried at some future date by the
courts.
In the exciting days following the
evacuation of Carran2a troops, ltur-
hide came to the front at the urgent
request Of the diplomatic corps II
took command Of the situation. He
kept order in the city and turned II
over to the Zapata commanders. lie
had, however, incurred the enmity OF
the Zapata faction because he COM
manded a detachment Of troops which
fought them in the outskirts or Mex
leo CITY during Carbajals brief ad-
ministration. fifty of Zapata's men
having been killed In the battle.
Remained in Hiding.
When General PalafoX, the Hapata
commander, arrived he ordered the
arrest OF Iturbide who, %scenting trou-
BILE, had hidden in q private house IN
Mexico city. Silliman and Canova IN
terceded and he was promised n fair
trial. but he doubted the wisdom OF
surrenderIng and remained in hiding.
Finally. through the efforts OF the
government. General Gut
ierrez. as provisional president, slghed
an order giving Iturbide SAFE conuuct
to the United States.
Canova left Mexico City on the same
with Iturbide, but before they
proceeded far an order was issued
by General villa for the arrest OF
Iturbide. At the same time a state
ment was given out by General Para
fox. minister OF agriculture IN the
Gutierrez cabinet, charging Slihman
and Canova had accepted q bride Tor
their efforts In getting the fugitive out
Of Mexico city. This was denied Wig
.orouslv by them, and the charges were
by the state department.
81 rode on that train said lturblde
tonight, "iust one day, for l realized
that the secret service men were trall-
ing me and that an order for my ar
rest would come any minute. | wrote
my will and gave It TO Mr.. Canova
and slipped of the train just sduth
of Aguas C%alientes.
Travels rs Ranchcr.
"I walked around aimlessly for
sixty miles and finally got a horse on
a ranch. For fifteen. days rode, dis
gilsed as a rancher, and made my way
TO the American border, eluding troops
and police by travelling mostly at night
and sleeping by day.
u had left all my baggage on the
train and when | finally got to the
Rio Grande. / was afraid TO go TO any
Il the bridges, for fear the secret ser
vice men would be waiting for me. |
always have been a good swimmer. SO
! plunged in and swan the river. An
E~nglishman. whose name ! will not
mention, met me and gave me some
l was destitute when l ar
Last year Iturbide was worth sew
.Ial millions. His property now has
been coufiscated and his funds I'm
banks similarly appropriated
by the different chiefs. BY selling
some property to foreigners ne saved
a small sum from the ~wreckagc He
said tonight he was undecided as TO
his future.
The episode has an interesting Sc
luel in the status OF Leon Canova,
who. Il was said. became persona non
to General PRlafox and General
villa. because Of his part I'm the es-
Of Iturhide. Canova has been in
Washington for several days. Gen
aral villa, 1t Is said, issued the order
Tor lturbide's arrest without knowing
hat General Gutierrez had issued a
safe conduct. As soon as the situa-
ion Is explained to all the chiefs. it is
believed. Canoya will go back TO Mex
Bryan Interested.
Secretary Bryan took a personal in
crest In the case. one Of the numer-
lus reports the state department had
II Iturbide told OF how o after Vera
'ruz was seized by American forces
md anti-American feeling was run
lins hieh In Mexico City, he made a
Wild dash In a motor 20 a prison and
two American newspaper men
rom execution as spies. The CORES
)ondents had been found with codes
n their possession.
New York Fire Kills Three.
NEW YORK, Jan. 15.-Three per-