Salto, 20th. 1881
Dear G
I went up to Corrientes, as you already know, to learn some particulars of the said affair, and to see how things stood, &c. It appears that on the night of the 12th inst. about 8 o'clock more or less, two men called at Guthrie's and Macdonald's Estancia and asked for "Pasado" which was granted, they then unsaddled their horses, tied them out and came back to the house, and one of them took his boots off and put on slippers. This one was well dressed, silver "recado" stirrups &c., and talked "muy politico". The other was not so well dressed and appeared to be a peon. Guthrie asked them if they had eaten, and they said they had not, he then told his wife to make them an "asado" which she did, the peon eating in the kitchen and the other at the door of the house, and talking with Guthrie about camp, &c.
After eating the roast Guthrie said to the man (if he can be called one) "You will please excuse me putting the bed outside as the house is so small", so he took out the "catre" and put it about 15 yards from the house, near a little "Remanada", and returned for a mattress to make up a bed, and when in the act of arranging the mattress, the fellow went behind him, caught him either by the hair or collar, and at the same time cut the poor fellow's throat from ear to ear, he fell instantly and half raised himself on one leg: seeing this, his wife got a revolver and was running out to Guthrie, when Macdonald took it from her, thinking that perhaps he could do more with it, or else to give it to Guthrie. Then the poor wife ran to poor Guthrie and got hold of him, when he fell dead covering her with his blood. She then ran into the house, took up her child and crossed into a wild "potrero" passing an Arroyo up to her neck in water to get to a house about four squares off. When Macdonald came out he may have been stabbed whilst passing the doorway, by the man in the kitchen, as the neighbour and wife say that eight shots were fired, if Macdonald fired them all, he fired without aim, as the night was as clear as day. If he was stabbed coming out of the house of course that would account for it, but still I don't think that he was, as José Maria Fonseca told me that he was stabbed under each breast and the wounds so large as to put your hand in either, and if he got them coming out of the house, he must have fallen at once, his head was almost severed from his body also; and between the thumb and first fore fingers there was a great gash, and it was supposed that Macdonald had caught one of their "facones". Next morning José M. Fonseca with the Comisario, Juez de Paz, &c., had the bodies put in coffins and sent them on to Monte Caseros, Fonseca attended to the taking of the inventory and all papers, &c., that were then in the room, and the door sealed.
A capataz and two peons are in charge of he sheep and cattle, there are 268 Sheep, 133 head of cattle, 23 horses and mares (17 Horses). Mrs. Guthrie is a Fonseca's, and wants him to look to her interests: but who is to represent Mr. Macdonald's family? Perhaps Mr. Clarke can; he may have Mr. Macdonald's will if he made one when in Buenos Aires, and wanted to give you a "Poder"; however tell Mr. Clarke what I say. The contract of the "Sociedad" may be with the papers in the house, or at Coll & Salda's, where Macdonald had money; I think Guthrie entered with $1,200., Guthrie to pay Macdonald 3% per annum for difference of capital and Macdonald to put $7,000., so as all the capital in stock is only what I say, all Guthrie's capital will have been invested: this the books ought to show, Guthrie to manage, &c., and gains on halves.
The capital in stock as you see is small, but the sooner something is done the better for all concerned, as the stock will get big, Juez expenses increase, &c., and the matter becomes more difficult to deal with. What I think best to be done is, if Mr. C. is not executor of any will Macdonald might have made, and there is no will existing, he might get a power to name somebody to represent Macdonald's interests, and signed by someone of influence in Buenos Aires.
This done, get the sheep passed into Entre Rios and sold on this side (as in Corrientes there are no buyers) report proceeds and see how things stand and arrange matters.
I don't know how much money there will be with Coll & Sarda's but this is all right. They were building a new house 16 by 12 vs.; it was ready to be thatched, the work was contracted for at $100. nothing paid on account, another man had received 300 sheep on shares some days ago also.
I went to the house with Felipe Fonseca to save sheep, &c., where Guthrie fell there was as much blood as if a sheep had been killed, where Macdonald fell there was not so much blood; probably from the stabs the blood would keep inwards, I believe that they had money, so Mrs. Guthrie says, sovereigns and condors in a bag. The murderers took Macdonald's gold watch and chain, his gold ring, revolvers, stirrups, &c.; Guthrie's "recado", black clothes, whips, shirts, &c., and cut mattresses open, took everything away they could, they left Macdonald's saddle.
A colder blooded affair than this could not have been done, the Fonsecas have done everything in their power, and are as sorry as if the deceased were their brothers, Mrs. Guthrie is staying there. THe Gefe Político of Monte Caseros, Jose Maria Casco, is after the fellows night and day: no man could possibly do more than he is doing, and he has taken 30 "Bandidos" prisoners, stretched them out &c., but has not got the thread yet, if they are to be found he is the man for it, I was with him at Fonseca's, Mrs. Guthrie gave me the description of the men, and this morning I gave same to Mr. Viera (Comisario); also description of Recado, Ring, &c. and English watch. Mr. Viera will advise all the Comisarios in case the murderers have passed over there.
Excuse this long epistle, but it is necessary at times.
