Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President, Transmitted to Congress December 2, 1895, Part II
Mr. Pringle to Mr. Uhl.
Gautemala and Honduras,
Guatemala, June 15, 1895. (Received July 5.)
Sir: I beg leave to inclose copies of documents, with translations, relating to the Renton case, which were received two days ago.
I am, etc.,
Charge d’Affaires ad interim.
Señor Bonilla to Mr. Young.
Mr. Minister: Complying with my promise in the telegram of the 25th instant, I have the honor to remit to your excellency the annexed copies of the proceedings taken in order to ascertain who were the authors of the murder committed in Brewers Lagoon on the person of the North American subject, Mr. Charles Renton.
I do not think it amiss to report to your excellency that my Government has taken and is still taking genuine interest in properly bringing to light the crime alluded to, to which end no means have been or will be omitted; but so far obstacles have been met with which it has been impossible to overcome, and which have greatly hindered the attainment of their ends—such as the deed having taken place in so desolate a locality; nearly all the witnesses being foreigners and speaking another language; the refusal of some of them to speak the truth, and the absence from the Republic of the greater number of those who were present.
Notwithstanding these reasons and circumstances, my Government has issued new and positive orders to the authorities of the Mosquitia to go on with the corresponding trial until they exhaust all means of investigation, endeavoring to display therein all possible energy and activity, and opportunely I hope to send to your excellency certified copies of the further steps that may be taken.
Meantime I have the pleasure, etc.,
In Sanlala, margin of the River Guangui, on the 23d dry of the month of March of the present year, I took the oath to speak the truth from Señor Ascencion Jimenez, who promised to speak the truth so far as he knew, and might he asked; declaring that he is of age, belonging to this place, single, a carpenter by occupation; that he is not comprised within the legal restrictions in regard to the deceased, Mr. Charles W. Renton. The penalty that the law assigns to those who give false evidence was explained to him, and declaring the act at the head of the proceedings in proper form, he said that on the 16th of March of the year 1894, about 8 o’clock in the morning, in company with Sebastian Montesino, Macario Matules, Francisco Arroyo, and Mercedes Castillo, he arrived at the banks of the Lake Brus Lagoon, just in front of the house of Mr. Renton; that from the Cayo they came to land at the village mentioned; that at the moment when he was about to land, the American, Arthur E. Isert, presented himself, ordering the witness and the rest of his companions who were in the boat to halt; that at the time the youth Alfonso Lacayo came out, and said that one should come on shore, but at the same moment the said Lacayo told them that the aforesaid American forebade their coming on shore, and then he perceived that in [Page 884] that place there was a meeting of armed men; that he could perceive that among those men figured Fernando Eude, John G. Dawe, Mr. Sandahan, Eduardo Eude, A. E. Isert, Mr. Ketele, McCay Brinton, Charles Johnston, who carried rifles every one of them; that on arriving there he thought that something was happening on account of the reports of the firearms they carried, as they were firing on the house of Mr. Renton, especially Mr. Arthur E. Isert, whom he saw distinctly place himself at the corner of the house of the Creole Macas, and from there made discharges from the rifle that he carried on the house of the above-mentioned Renton; that when observed that by landing in that place they might run a risk, as they had no arms, they decided to retire, at which instant the youth Lacayo again appeared and told them what the event that was happening there was; that the individuals he has mentioned were assassinating Don C. W. Renton, who was already in the agony of death, in consequence of the balls fired at him; that they held him and the wife of Renton prisoners in the house Zambo Caka; that the said wife of Renton was wounded in the hand, and that through fear of these people they had not been able to escape, as they threatened to kill them so that they should not give information of the crime they were perpetrating; that after the declaration Lacayo made he returned to the house, where they held him prisoner, and the deponent retired with the rest of his companions to the east side of the village, and remained a short distance off, going on shore; and even from there they heard the shots and saw the flashes of the rifles; that about 2 o’clock in the afternoon he saw the house where Mr. Renton lived on fire, that is, on the 16th of March; that he and his companions did not see what caused the fire, but is to be imagined that the fire in the house in question was caused by the individuals he has mentioned; since even from a letter that Lacayo sent to the deponent it is evident that the people of the Cayo killed Renton, that is to say, the same mentioned; that Lacayo also declared to them that Fernando Eude said to him that if he would rather go with the wife of Renton to Cape Gracias a Dios, giving him $200, or would prefer to die, as, if he did not accept, they proposed to strangle him, said Señor Lacayo, to save his life, retired from that place, and came away with the wife of Renton.
Asked if he knew where they buried the body of Renton, he said that he does not know, nor has heard tell.
This being read over, he ratified it and signed with me and the witnesses.
Claudio Green.
Ascencion Jimenez.
Ricardo Ramos.
J. Paiva.
Afterwards the said witness, and under the oath he had just taken, was asked if he knew of any property and real estate belonging to Don Carlos W. Renton, and said that he knew of property such as cattle and mules, but could not specify the number; but that the cattle were numerous and he knew a gray mule; that the Creole Macas stated to him that after the death of Mr. Renton the Frenchmen who figure in the foregoing declaration had sent him to embark cattle of Mr. Renton in a schooner; that said shipment of the cattle alluded to took place in the bar of Brus Lagoon of this jurisdiction.
He ratified this and signed with me and the witnesses.
Claudio Green.
Ascencion Jimenez.
Ricardo Ramos.
J. Paiva.
A faithful copy.
[seal.]
This is correct.
Sub. Secretary.
Iriona, September 13, 1894.
Mr. Justice of the Peace, present:
Accompanied by your respective director, you will go to the place called Brewer’s Lagoon to make the proper investigation relative to the assassination of the American citizen Charles Renton, perpetrated on the 16th of May of the present year, to which end you will interrogate an American residing in Foca Macho named Johnson, [Page 885] who, it is said, being in the house of Renton on that occasion, received a bullet in his leg.
In Patook you will interrogate Wyland Wood as to whether in the month of March he saw the wife of Mr. Charles Renton; if she was wounded; who accompanied her; in what house she was lodged; the route she took and in whose company.
From the declarations of Johnson and Wood, as also of some other residents, some light may be thrown on the deed in question, and in that case without loss of time you will issue an order of arrest against the persons who may be accused or culpable, causing them to come to this court under proper security.
With the merit of the proceedings that you institute you will give an account to this office as speedily as possible.
Your obedient servant,
J. Luis Refman.
Office of the Justice of the
Peace,
Iriona, September 13,
1894.
Whereas in the foregoing note I am ordered to make due investigation in reference to the assassination of the American citizen Charles Renton, perpetrated the 16th of March of the present year, in the place called Brus Lagoon, in this jurisdiction: Therefore, for the bringing to light of the crime and its author or authors, let the proper inquiry be instituted in the place where the event happened, and in accordance with the result let such steps be taken as may be proper in law.
Claro Pacheco.
Faustino Hernandez.
Carlos Gonzales.
Office of the Justice of the Peace
of Iriona,
Foca Macho, September 14,
1894.
It being necessary to appoint an interpreter to take the declarations of some of the American witnesses who are not acquainted with the Spanish language, let Mr. Cesario Avilez be nominated for that purpose, and he shall be advised thereof for his acceptance and swearing in.
Claro Pacheco.
Faustino Hernandez.
Carlos Gonzales.
The interpreter, Don Cesario Avilez, being notified on the same of the preceding act, he accepted the nomination conferred upon him, swearing to comply with his obligation, and he signed.
Pacheco.
Cesario Avilez.
Faustino Hernandez.
Carlos Gonzales.
On the same date there appeared in my office the American, Samuel Davis, and being legally sworn he promised to repeat with truth all he knew and might be asked; and requested to declare all he knew about the act at the head of these proceedings, he said that as to the occurrence to which the act that has been read to him refers, he knew nothing for a certainty, for although on the date asked about the deponent was in the locality called Camon Island, adjacent to where Charles Renton lives, as he has already stated, he knows nothing about the matter; that he has heard say that the Mosquitians, Damaso and Williams, knew something of said occurrence, but that to him personally they have declared nothing, and he only knows it from hearsay. Asked if he does not know, on the date set forth in the act which has been read to him, and which corresponds to the 16th of March of the present year, it was said publicly that Mr. Renton had been assassinated in his own dwelling house, situated in the place called Brus Lagoon, having in consequence the said Mr. Renton disappeared from that very date, he said that he does not know anything, as he had said already; that as to the disappearance of Mr. Renton from his place of residence, yes, he had heard it mentioned, without being able to fix the date, as he does not remember.
Asked if he heard say, or is aware that any other person knows anything about the occurrence, he answered that he knows nothing more than is stated in his former answers.
The declaration that is written being read to him by means of the interpreter appointed, he ratified it, stating that he is of age, a native of the United States, a resident of this place, single, a blacksmith by trade, and he signed.
Pacheco.
Samuel Davis.
Cesario Avilez.
Faustino Hernandez.
Carlos Gonzales.
[Page 886]Office of the Justice of the Peace
of Iriona,
Brus Lagoon, September 11,
1894.
Having to interrogate the witness William Wood, who is not acquainted with the Spanish language, and not being present the interpreter who was appointed in the preceding act, let Mr. Philip S. Burchard be nominated as such, who shall be notified of his nomination for the legal effects.
Let it be published.
Pacheco.
Faustino Hernandez.
Carlos Gonzales.
On the same date the interpreter, Mr. Philip S. Burchard, was notified of the foregoing nomination; and made aware of it he said that he accepted, swearing to comply with his obligation, and he signed.
Felipe S. Burchard.
Pacheco.
Faustino Hernandez.
Carlos Gonzales.
On the same day Wyland Wood appeared in my office, and, legally sworn, he promised to repeat with truth all that he might know and might be asked; and being asked as to whether in the month of May he had seen the wife of Mr. Renton, if she was wounded, who accompanied her, in what house she was lodged, what route she took, and in whose company, he said that he saw Mrs. Renton, without being able to fix the date, but recollecting that it was in March; that he does not know if she was wounded, nor who accompanied her; that he saw her staying in the house of a Mr. Frank, without knowing whether she was going from there or in whose company.
His declaration was read over to him by means of the interpreter; he confirmed it, ratifying its contents and declaring that he is 24 years of age, single, a native of the United States, with residence in this place, where he is occupied in the position of a clerk, and he signed.
Claro Pacheco.
Wyland H. Wood.
Felipe S. Burchard.
Faustino Hernandez.
Carlos Gonzales.
Office of the Justice of the Peace
of Iriona,
Brus Lagoon, September 19,
1894.
Having to take the declaration of some Sambo witnesses, and an interpreter being necessary, with that object let Mr. Gregario Torres be appointed, who shall be notified for his acceptance and swearing in.
Let it be published.
Claro Pacheco.
Faustino Hernandez.
Carlos Gonzales.
The interpreter, Don Gregario Torres, being notified of the preceding act, accepted the nomination conferred upon him, swearing to comply faithfully with his obligation, and signed.
Pacheco.
Gregorio Torres.
Faustino Hernandez.
Carlos Gonzales.
On the same date the Sambo Williams appeared in my office and, legally sworn, offered to repeat with truth all that he may know and that may be asked of him, and requested to state what he knows about the act at the head of these proceedings, he said that he knows nothing about the occurrence concerning which he is questioned, since, although he is a resident of the place where it happened, he was absent on the date mentioned, and that he has not known or heard anything about the matter since; and having been asked as to whether he knows that on the day cited in the act which has been read to him it was said publicly that Mr. Renton had been assassinated in his own dwelling house, situated in this place, the said Renton having, in consequence, disappeared on the same date, and whether he knows whether any other person can declare about the occurrence, he said that, as he has already stated, he knows nothing about the event referred to, and that he has only heard say that Mr. Renton had disappeared from the place, being ignorant of the motive and the date on which this happened, as he does not recollect; that, as he has already stated, he was absent, and knows nothing, still less can he indicate what person or persons can declare about the matter.
[Page 887]His declaration having been read to him by means of the interpreter appointed, he ratified it, stating that he is of age, single, laborer, a resident of this place, and can not sign.
Claro Pacheco.
Gregorio Torres.
Faustino Hernandez.
Carlos Gonzales.
On the same date the Sambo witness, Pedro Conti, appeared in my office, and being sworn in legal form, promised to repeat with truth all he may know and may be asked, and requested to declare what he knows about the act at the head of these proceedings, he said that respecting the deed to which the act which has been read to him refers, he can declare nothing about it, since, although he resides in the place of the occurrence about which he is questioned, his dwelling house is a mile distant from the one that belonged to Mr. Renton, and that consequently he could not have any knowledge of what had happened; that afterwards, though unable to fix the date, as he does not remember it, he had heard say that Mr. Charles Renton had disappeared from the place, the deponent being ignorant if it was on account of his having been assassinated or from some other reason, adding that he does not know if any other person can declare about the matter referred to.
His declaration having been read to him by means of the interpreter appointed, he ratified it, stating that he is of age, single, laborer, resident in this place, and can not sign.
Claro Pacheco.
Gregorio Torres.
Faustino Hernandez.
Carlos Gonzales.
On the same day the Sambo Damaso appeared in my office, and being legally sworn, promised to speak the truth in what he might know or might be asked, and requested to state what he knows about the act which heads the proceedings, he said that he knows nothing for certain of the deed to which the act that has been read to him refers, since, although it is a fact that he resides in this place, on the date that is cited in the act alluded to he was in Cam on Island, and on that account is ignorant of what took place; that days after the date mentioned he knew that Mr. Renton was not to be found in this place, the deponent being unaware of the cause of this disappearance; that he does not know what persons can declare about the matter referred to, since, as he has already stated, he knows nothing on the subject.
His declaration having been read to him, he ratified it, declaring that he is of age, single, laborer, a resident of this place, and can not sign.
Pacheco.
Gregorio Torres.
Faustino Hernandez.
Carlos Gonzales.
On the same day the Sambo Granvel appeared in my office, and being sworn in legal form, promised to speak the truth in all that he might know or might be asked, and requested to state what he knows concerning the occurrence referred to in the act that has been read to him, he knows nothing, as on the date cited, and when the occurrence about which he is questioned took place, the deponent was up the river Patook bringing down lumber, where he remained sometime; nor has he heard what became of Renton, since, as he has already stated, he remained away from the place for a long time.
His declaration having been read to him by means of the interpreter appointed, he ratified it, stating that he is of age, single, laborer, a resident in this place, and he did not sign, not knowing how.
Pacheco.
Gregorio Torres.
Faustino Hernandez.
Carlos Gonzales.
On the same day the Sambo woman Cooka appeared in my office, and being sworn in legal form, she offered to repeat truthfully all she may know or may be questioned upon, and requested to state what she knows about the occurrence that caused the act that heads these proceedings, she said that she ignores absolutely everything connected with the deed to which the act that has been read to her refers, as the deponent was not in this place, and that neither on the date which is cited nor afterwards has she known or heard anything relating to the fact about which she is questioned; and having been interrogated as to whether she knew what had become of Mr. Charles Renton, she answered that she was ignorant thereof.
[Page 888]Her declaration having been read to her by means of the interpreter appointed, she ratified it in all its parts, declaring that she is of age, a spinster, a cook of this place, and can not sign.
Pacheco.
Gregorio Torres.
Faustino Hernandez.
Carlos Gonzales.
On the same date the Sambo woman Lnbaina appeared in my office, and having been sworn in legal form, promised to repeat the truth in all that she might know or might be questioned about, and requested to state what she knew about the deed that gave rise to the act heading these proceedings, she said that she absolutely ignores everything relating to the occurrence about which she is being questioned, on account of her having been absent from the place, occupied in making a corn-patch, and having returned long after the event that causes this inquiry, and that neither on the date cited nor afterwards has she known or heard tell anything relating to the deed mentioned; that as regards the disappearance of Mr. Renton from the place, she can delare nothing, being ignorant of it.
Her declaration having been read to her by means of the interpreter appointed, she ratified it, and stated that she was of age, spinster, cook, and a resident of this place, and could not sign.
Pacheco.
Gregorio Torres.
Faustino Hernandez.
Carlos Gonzales.
On the 24th of the same month the American Charles Johnson appeared in my office, and being sworn in legal form, he promised to repeat truthfully all he might know or might be asked, and requested to state what he knew about the act heading these proceedings, he said that on the 14th day of March an individual with a cargo of provisions was going by; Renton forbade him to pass there in front of his house, and ordered the deponent to fire on him if he should pass there again; that on being reprimanded the person resolved to retire, but immediately returned, and that Renton on seeing him again he fired a shot at him, the deponent not believing that it was with evil intention, but that afterwards he heard the report of a firearm, feeling himself wounded in the leg, but ignoring where the shot came from; that on the following day, being in bed in the house of Renton, Renton being standing in the house, he heard him exclaim, “Jesus Christ, they have killed me;” but as he was in bed he was ignorant as to who fired the shot; that a few moments afterwards the wife of Mr. Renton, who was outside milking a cow, appeared, saying that they had wounded her, but that he only saw a scratch on her, which he believes she made intentionally; and being asked as to whether he knew that on the date cited Mr. Renton disappeared, he answered that he does not know where he went to.
His declaration having been read to him by means of the interpreter, Mr. Felipe S. Burchard, appointed in the act of the 17th of the present month, he ratified it, declaring that he is of age and a resident of this place, and signed.
Chas. V. R. Johnson.
Felipe S. Burchard.
Claro Pacheco.
Carlos Gonzales.
Faustino Hernandez.
Office of the Justice of the
Peace,
Iriona, September 27,
1894.
The present interrogatory proceedings being concluded, and having to remit the originals to the superintendent of this district, let testimony be given for the further legal effects, and let it be forwarded on the same date.
Claro Pacheco.
Carlos Gonzales.
J. Paive.
On the same date these proceedings were forwarded in seven pages. Q. C. Pacheco and for the legal effects I give as finished the present copy, which agrees with the original in Iriona, on the 27th day of September, 1894, which I sign and seal in the presence of the witnesses of the office.
Office of the justice of the peace of Iriona, district of the Mosquitia.
It is correct.