Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1916-01-14
MEXzCO'S IRON MAN
DIES ATEL PASO AFTER
STRENUOUS CAREER

Ii Paso, Texas, Jan. l4.-General
Victoriano Huerta, once Mexico s
"nan of iron and blood" lies dead
here today, his corpse virtually the
prisoner Of the United States govern
ment with which he nearly went to
war, when, as dictator Of Mexico, he
refused to salute the Stars and Stripes
after the historic Tampico incident.
He died last night at the age Of Gl
following several operations resulting
in sclerosis of the liver. His wish to
end mis- days in his native land was pre-
vented by his arrest and indictment as
a plotter 10 crush the de facto Carran'
"a government Of Mexico.
1fuerta s widow plans to seek per
mission for interment near Colotlan
Jalisco, Mexico, where the grim old
warrior was born. Whether Carranza
will permit this, however, is doubtful
for Carranza holds Huerta was respon
sibIe for the assassination Of President
Madero and Vice.PresIent Suarez OF
Mexico and may feel that even il
death, the "iron man" ought not tC
rest on Mexican soil.
SCI am prepared foI the other world
were among Huerta's $ last words. 81
am content to die, and ! wish to for
give all my enemies and all who have
done me wrong. | feel at peace will
my God and with all men. E"
The general lad the solace Of hi
Catholic faith in his last hours, through
the attendance of Captain Francis z
Joyce, Catholic chaplain of the Fourtf
United states field artillery.
Surrounding his bedside when thu
end came was the general S entire fam
lily except his daughter, Senorita Elent
en- route from New York.
His faithful wife, Sonora Aguila d,
Huerta, who had been his nurse al
through his last days, was the last per
son the warrior recognized.
He called her by name, and as shl
bent over him, he kissed her repeated
]y, murmuring Spanish terms Of en-
dearnent.
The scene at ais deathbed was i'm
pressive. There beneath flickerini
candles his 20 relatives knelt for hour
in prayer. Alternately Chaplain Joye
and the Spanish priest, Father Mayer
led their orisons.
Particularly touching was the devc
tion Of several Of his former assistant
who had been faithful to Huerta y
success AMI adversely. Just befo.e h
breatned his last, they came to his bed
side. Among them was General Ygn0
eio Bravo, for 63 years in active sci
vice in the Mexican army, division
general over Huertl when the latte
was a colonel Of cavalry.
The aged visitor trii repeatedly I
obtain the recognition Of the dyin
man. But he was too late; Huerta wa
unconscious and life was ebbing swift
ly.
At this, Bravo burst into tears an
knelt, sobbing, by the deathbed.
Outside, the men of Huerta's cour
try were being attacked by Americani
and American troopers after seriou
rioting,
Though Hucrta died without bitter
ness in his heart toward the natio
that had stood athwart his path an
crushed his ambitions TO be the onl
power in Mexico, his secretary, Genel
al Roblas issued n statement in whic
he declared American treatment Of Oh
general had FASTENED ais end. lie wa
bitter at Huerta " imprisonment, "lik
n common criminal, ;. and declared tina
he had not been shown the respect tina
Huerta on many occasions had volur
tarily g.yon TO Americans.
General Victoriano Huerta, who LEI
his stamp nerudicably upon Mexica
affairs, was born 20 the role Of "iro
man" In the village Of Colotlan, jail
60, Mexico, December %, 1854. India
blood coursed In his veins, ami marke
him with the fiereo stolidity taat Me'
leo came at last 10 fear. Tho spirit q
The soldier seemed ingfained. Frol
curly boyhood, the love Of fighting, th
thrill Of arms, was upon him.
So II was that he got o militar
training in tho military academy Q
Chapultepee from which ae was graz
uated in 1870. In the biref schoolin
he had previously, and throughout b
military course, he proved himsel
thirsty for knowledge and an apt pupi
n -.