South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-09-12
WAR MINISTER'S
MURDER REMAINS
STILL UNSOLVED
Slayer May Never Be Brought
to Justice is Belief
in Costa RIGA.

SAN JOSE. COSTA RIGA. Sept.
I2.-AssassinaEon Of joaquin Tin
oco. late minister OF war and broth
or OF former Prest FREDERICK Tin
oco. on Aug. last, is still an un-
solved mystery with indications that
he slayer may never be brought 10
answer for his crime The fortnight
which has elapsed since the tragedy
has brought out a number OF inter
esting facts in connection with IL
which never before have been told.
Joaquin was SO years old. one OF
the handsomest men in Costa Rica,
quick shooter and courageous as a
lion. He was tall and of athletic
build. fond OF horses. and a member
or one OF the most distinguished
families He rarely went unarmed
and had fought number Of duels-
The widow Of one OF his adversaries
a lawyer he killed in a revolver
night. a few years ago sought to
avenge her husband and fired five
shots at close range at Tinoco but
the latter survived his wounds
When on Jan. p. 1917. his broth
er, Federico, who was minister Of
war in the cabinet Of Pres't Alfredo
Coma zles. deposed the latter and be-
came head Of the government. Joa-
gum was given the war portfolio
and thereupon, IL is said, became
the real president Of Costa RIGA.
For two years previously Joaquin
had been fighting revolutionists and
personal enemies and when he be
came minister Of war he became still
more energetic and aggressive. II
has been said that Joaquin on the
day OF his death had more enemies
than n popular motion picture arc
ress in the United States had admir-
ers
Asked for Relief.
On the day before the assassina-
ton Joaquin went before the Costa
Rican congress and asked TO be re-
lieved as vice president, a position
he held by virtue OF his cabinet
post. At the same time his brother,
the president, asked official permits
sion 20 leave the country because OF
ill health" Both requests were
granted and the two Tinocos were
preparing to depart when Joaquin
was shot down.
A few months before ne met his
death Joaquin began 20 take n
strange interest in spirituaIism- Ere
Quently he went TO q small village
called Guadalupe where he consult
cd n woman medium, and after his
last visit seemed DISTURBED by what
she had told him. That same after
noon be returned home and tele-
phoned for his car but II was out
OF order and he decided 10 go for a
walk A block from his residence a
man stepped from behind a tree and
fired at Tinoco point blank. The
shot pierced his eye, causing almost
instant death. Notwithstanding the
suddenness of the attack, in the
fraction OF the second he remained
alive, Joaquin had drawn his own
revolver. The weapon was found
in his clenched hand, every cart
ridge chamber full.
on the day after the tragedy
Joaquin was buried with military
honors and as hourSs later the re-
naming members of the Tinocc
family. including the former presi-
dent. left here for Port IAmon in
special trains where they sailed fol
Kingston. Jamaica. and thence in
tend TO go 20 England.
The new president. Gen. Juar
Bautista Quiros, formerly manager
OF the Banco International de Costs
Rica. a government institution. anC
generally regarded as a conservative
Costa Rican, is pledged 10 'restor,
order after two years OF tyranny
and the leakage Of public funds and
after a few months Of recOnstruc
ton, bring about free elections"