No. 302.
Mr. Phelps to Mr. Frelinghuysen.

No. 148.]

Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith copies of a report by the consular agent at Pacasmayo of the murder, by a soldier of the Iglesias Government, of Owen Young, an American citizen, at the hacienda of “Tecapa,” and of my letter to the minister of foreign affairs regarding the same. * * *

Very respectfully, &c.,

S. L. PHELPS.
[Inclosure 1 in No. 148.]

Mr. Kauffman to Mr. Phelps.

Sir: The object of the present letter is to inform you of a circumstance that occurred in this vicinity, and of the death of Mr. Owen Young, an American citizen, a native of the State of Georgia.

During the late movements of the forces of the Iglesias Government and the Montoneros, under command, or in the interest, of Puga, the Montoneros made their rendezvous in the hacienda “Tecapa,” where the deceased has been living for a number of years past in a little house belonging to himself, in a field some distance from the buildings of the plantation and near the railway. The deceased was engaged in planting rice, corn, and having, also, contracts for supplying wood for the use of the Pacasmayo Railway.

On September 27 a skirmish took place between the troops of Iglesias and the Montoneros at a distance of nearly a mile from the house of the deceased. The Montoneros were forced to retire, and retreated in the direction of and passing the house of Young. When the troops of Iglesias came to the house they commenced beating a Chinaman servant of Mr. Young, who then came out of his house and remonstrated with the soldiers, saying that the Chinaman was his servant and had nothing to do with the Montoneros. A soldier on horseback then addressed Young, saying in effect that he had consented to the Montoneros being in that vicinity and was as bad as any of them. Without awaiting any reply and without any act of resistance or hostility on the part of Young, the soldier shot him through the chest, causing instant death.

The persons who witnessed the act are the following: Acha (Chinaman), Santiago Marchiná, Manuel Contreras, José Arroyo, Pedro Ascurra, Paula Huanila, Angel Pairasaman, Francisco Ascurra, and Miguel Espinoza, and all of them are ready and willing to testify to the facts as substantially stated by me.

Mr. Young was an honest, peaceable, industrious man, respected and esteemed by all who knew him. He has lived in Peru a number of years, and leaves two children, now grown up; also some property. At the time he was shot the American flag was hoisted over his little house, to indicate his neutrality.

I am, &c.,

B. H. KAUFFMAN.
[Page 433]
[Inclosure 2 in No. 148.]

Mr. Phelps to Mr. Urrutia.

Sir: From the inclosed copy of a report received from the United States consular agent at Pacasmayo, your excellency will learn of the particulars attending the murder, at the hacienda of “Tecapa,” of Owen Young, an American citizen, by a soldier of the Government of Peru.

The circumstances, as detailed, show it to have been a most cruel and barbarous murder, and aggravated in character by the fact that the American flag was flying over the house in front of which the crime was committed, testifying to the nationality and right of protection of the murdered man.

The witnesses, whose names are given, are ample in number, and are Peruvians and foreigners.

It becomes my duty respectfully to request that your excellency’s Government will promptly direct an immediate and fall investigation of the case to be made, to the end that the soldier guilty of the crime may meet quick punishment and the family of the murdered man receive justice at the hands of the Government.

I avail, &c.,

S. L. PHELPS.