File No. 312.41/119.
[Untitled]
Ciudad Juárez , February 20, 1914 .
Sir: I have the honor to refer Department’s telegram February 19, and telegram from this office under date of February 19, 1914, announcing the death of William Benton, a British subject, at the hands of the Constitutionalist authorities in Ciudad Juarez on the afternoon of the 17th of February last. This Consul, as stated, after the receipt of Department’s instructions made by request of his excellency the British Ambassador, immediately went to the headquarters of General Villa and revealed to him the contents of said telegram.
After which General Villa said that he had abstained from giving [Page 844] the facts to the newspapers and public, but inasmuch as I represented the American Government he was in duty bound to give me the facts in the case of Sr. Benton, only however to be imparted to my Government and to his family.
Señor Benton is dead. He came here to this house and attempted to kill me. He was armed and came here for that purpose. He was a dangerous man. I knew him, he had killed several men in Mexico. I could not afford to let such a man live. Here is the gun that he had on his person when he came here (displaying a large pistol and cartridge belt well filled).
The Consul did not inquire as to the manner of execution, and no trial or court-martial was mentioned, but Villa was asked if he would permit the wife to have the remains. His answer was: “Not now. Later I will do so.” The Consul asked as a favor that he have the grave marked so that it might be located in the future by his relatives. This he promised to do.
The General then made a statement, saying that Benton before his death admitted that he (Benton) brought the trouble on himself, and asked him (Villa) to do him the favor to convey to his wife that it was his wish that all his property in Mexico should be given her; that half of his holdings in Mexico was his, and the other half belonged to his cousin. General Villa requested me to so inform Mrs. Benton. Villa stated that the Benton property would not be confiscated. This closed the interview. General Villa left for Chihuahua the following morning.
The Consul related the above to Mrs. Benton with the exception of seeing the pistol which Villa claimed her husband was armed with, as it is my intention to endeavor to ascertain a description of the gun usually carried by the deceased.
This Consul will later send such information as he may gather from incidents and rumors heard on the streets and in newspapers, which occurred previous to William Benton’s departure to Juarez, also such evidence as he considers of value in proving or disproving the having on his person by Benton of a pistol etc.
I have [etc.]