The Death of my Great Great Grandfather. (3/8)

From the 'Buenos Aires Standard' April 20th 1881.

Abolition of Capital Punishment

With much pleasure we state that the announcement in one of the city papers of the intention of President Roca to propose to Congress the Abolition of Capital Punishment is utterly incorrect, and we are fully authorised to say that the President, so far from being in favour of any such measure, views with regret that so many assassins escape capital punishment, which the law of the country provides, and which it is the President's determination to use every effort to carry out.

In all the cases called "Alevoso" the National Government will use every effort to have the criminals, no matter in which province the crime may be committed, at once tried and on conviction executed. When the President received news of the terrible murder of the two Scotch Farmers in Entre Rios he was greatly shocked, expressed himself most strongly on the matter, and at once despatched a telegram to the Governor of Entre Rios, to urge the Provincial authorities to scour the whole country and to catch the assassins. It is most probable that they will be caught, and quite certain that if caught and convicted, they will be at once executed. The following copy of President Roca's telegram to the Governor of Entre Rios will show the British Residents of the Plate that the President is in earnest in the matter, that he is the right man in the right place, and instead of favouring the abolition of capital punishment, is fully resolved on the abolition of assassination in the Plate, which is only attainable by rigorously executing the criminals, and showing to murderers the same mercy they have shown to their unfortunate victims.

-

Buenos Aires, April 19th. 1881

To the Governor of Entre Rios.
Uruguay.

Several Englishmen have called on me to tell me that two of their countrymen most estimable and respectable persons, have been wilfully murdered ant Nranjit Province of Entre Rios.

I request therefore that you will use every exertion in your power, and adopt every possible measure to make an example of the criminals. Such crimes as this dishonour and injure us abroad; and it is for us a duty of morality, of justice, and even of self-interest, to put a stop to them.

Yours friend,

Julio A. Roca.

The Death of my Great Great Grandfather. (2/8)

Part two: I'm not sure who G.E. is.

Such a dreadful affair has happened near Monte Caseros, Macdonald and Guthrie, both of Salto, who had taken an Estancia in Corrientes have both been brutally murdered by a band of four assassins, whilst preparing to accommodate two of them. Macdonald lately went home to take his children there.

Full details have not yet reached us, they have been buried in Monte Caseros. The murderers so far have not been found. "Como siempre" robbery was the object.

G.E.

The Death of my Great Great Grandfather. (1/8)

A little while ago my mother handed me a sheaf of typewritten papers detailing in rather horrifying detail the murder of my great, great grandfather in 1881.

I thought that I would share this in an episodic format. Offering it as an interesting piece of family history and as a fascinating period piece.

From the 'Buenos Aires Standard' April 19th, 1881.

Terrible Murder in Entre Rios
Two Scotchmen Assassinated.

It is our gloomy task to report the murder of two much respected Scotch sheep-farmers, at a place on the Eastern Argentine Railway, called Naranjito.

The unfortunate victims were Mr. Charles Macdonald and Mr. Arthur Guthrie, who had just rented a piece of land there, bought a flock of sheep, and started as sheep-farmers. The country thereabout is well settled on, and there are Estancias and sheep-farmers on all sides, the camps are very fine, with rich pasturage and abundance of wood and water.

Mr. Macdonald some few months ago returned from England where he leaves five children to mourn his untimely loss. For many years he was engaged in Salto B.O. on the Santa Rosa Ry., and had a wide circle of friends in this city; his friends here state that he had just invested up there about 6000. Pat's in sheep.

Mr. Arthur Guthrie was from Dundee and was partner of Mr. Macdonald. Mr. McCorquodale, who resides up there, has written down to friends here, giving the following hurried particulars of this truly barbarous crime, the details of which intensify its atrocity.

It seems that on the evening of the murder two men, Gauchos, rode up to the rancho and asked leave to rest and pass the night; they were invited to dismount and given their dinner: these villains, after tying their horses out and pretending to make the usual arrangements for passing the night, entered the house, and whilst poor Guthrie was in the act of preparing a bed for one of them the double dyed villain stabbed him in the back, and he fell dead. The noise of the fall attracted the attention of Macdonald, who rushed at once to get his revolver to defend his life as dearly as possible, but he was soon overpowered, stabbed to death and then both their throats were cut in a most barbarous manner; Guthrie's wife, a native woman, it seems escaped and rushed off to a neighbouring rancho; there were six men accomplices outside.

The rancho was sacked from top to bottom, and everything that could be carried off was taken away, trunks broken open, clothes, house linen &c. It is quite evident that the murderers counted on finding a sum of money in the house as Macdonald and Guthrie were buying stock, and it was supposed that the money might still be there.

Yesterday the friends of these unfortunate countrymen waited upon the British Minister, Sir Horace Rumbold, and we trust that he will call the attention of the Government to the matter, and the necessity of taking the most immediate steps to catch the assassins, and execute them.

This horrible crime comes at a time of increased significance. Dean Dillon leaves to-day on a special mission to foment British emigration to this country, and President Roca, as is stated in the papers, is about to propose to Congress the Abolition of Capital Punishment. The credit of the country is at stake in this matter. If the villain who seeks hospitality and in return murders his host is to escape Capital Punishment, then at least it will be well to acquaint the people of Europe with the fact. We reserve the matter for further comment.

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