Today -100: February 21, 1913: Of fugitive laws and donkeys

The Huerta junta in Mexican (I know it’s more of a dictatorship than a junta, I just like the phrase Huerta Junta) is putting out a story that Gustavo Madero, the former finance minister, the real power behind the throne of his brother the ousted president, was shot attempting to escape. Thing is, the NYT said yesterday -100 that he was told to run and then shot multiple times in the back, as was the custom in Mexico (they call it the “fugitive law”). Madero’s clothes and the stones he bled to death on were taken (by soldiers, onlookers? not made clear) as souvenirs; a shard of his glasses has already resold for $25.

Pres. Francisco Madero and Vice President José Pino Suarez, who were going to be sent into exile, are arrested instead.

There will be no donkeys in the inaugural parade. Repeat: NO DONKEYS! That is all.

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