DISTRICT OF KISALAYA, DEPT. PUERTO CABAZAS,
GUARDIA NACIONAL DE NICARAGUA
4 October 1931

From:     2nd Lieutenant E. J. Surprenant, G.N.
To:       The District Commander.

Subject:  Report of Death of Aldolpho Cockburn.

1. Having been detailed by the District Commander to search for reported cattle thieves and a typewriter reported to have been stolen from Cabo Gracias, I proceeded as per ordered to Sakalin.

2. From information given by District Commander it was thought best to investigate the house of Mr. Cockburn. About 0900 A.M., on 3 October 1931 we arrived at the house and were met by Mr. Cockburn who was cordial enough in greeting us but on being asked as to cattle thieves and any knowledge of the typewriter he grew very surly and non-communicative.

3. I had entered the house with Sergeant Alfonso Avendano, #1584. In an office next to the room where we were talking I saw a typewriter. I asked him if I could look at it. He flew in a fury of rage and shouted some words all of which I could not understand and reached for a pistol which was on a table right aside of him. From the man’s actions I believe he intended to shoot me and I reached for my pistol. The Sergeant who was in back of me fired with a Sub-Thompson Machine gun hitting him about the head.

4. We then departed returning to Kisalaya where the death was reported to the District Commander.

   /s/  E. J. SURPRENANT

RG127/43A/30

DISTRICT OF KISALAYA, DEPARTMENT OF PUERTO CABEZAS
GUARDIA NACIONAL OF NICARAGUA
4, October, 1931

From:       The District Commander
To:         The Area Commander, Eastern Area
Via:        The Department Commander
Subject:    Death of Adolpho Cockburn (Civilian);

            Report and Investigation of;

Enclosures: Four (4)
Reference:  Guardia Nacional G.O. #5,1931

1.  The report and investigation of the death of Adolpho Cockburn is hereby submitted.

2.  A patrol consisting of 2nd Lts. Suprenant and Cody, Sergeant Alfonso Avendano #1584 and Raso Carlos Alegria #4777 were detailed by my order to make a patrol to Sakalin to see if any information could be obtained of a type writer and to find the whereabouts of cattle stolen by the bandits and left in Sakalin.

3.  On the return of the patrol the following day, 3 Oct. the death of Cockburn was reported. There being no witnesses other than the Guardia patrol above enumerated; their statements were taken.

4.  From the statements, the death was purely in self defense on the part of Sergeanto Avendano, who fired the shots and in the defense of Lt. Surprenant.

5.  There is no doubt that Cockburn was a receiver of stolen cattle from the bandits, and that he has had a hand in the death of three men and not a man on whom chances could be taken.

6.  It is recommended that such action be taken in the case of Sergeanto Avendano, that Guardia General Order #5 1931 might indicate in order that he would not be molested when no longer in service of the Guardia; as his action and that of all members of the patrol meet with my approval

        /s/  Ralph D. McAfee
              Capt. G.N.

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1st Endorsement 4 October 1931.
DISTRICT OF KISALAYA, DEPARTMENT OF PUERTO CABAZAS, NICARAGUA.

From:  The District Commander.
To:    The Department Commander, Department of Puerto

       Cabazas, Puerto Cabazas, Nicaragua.

1. Forwarded.

[signed]
RALPH McAFEE.

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2ND ENDORSEMENT.

DEPARTMENT OF NORTHERN BLUEFIELDS, GUARDIA NACIONAL DE NIC.  PUERTO CABEZAS, NICARAGUA 7 OCTOBER 1931

From:    Department Commander.
To:      Area Commander, Area of the East, Bluefields,

         Nicaragua.

Subject: Report of death of Adolpho Cockburn (civilian).

ENCLOSURES: Five

          (a) statement of Capt. McAffee
         (b) statement of 2nd. Lt. Suprenant.
         (c) statement of 2nd. Lt. Cody
         (d) statement of Sgt. Avendano
         (e) statement of Raso Alegria

1.  Forwarded.

2.  It is requested that the above enclosures be forwarded to Guardia Headquarters, in compliance with Guardia General Order #5,1931, for such action as the Jefe Director deems advisable.

               [signed]
                  O. A. Inman

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THIRD ENDORSEMENT

HEADQUARTERS EASTERN AREA GUARDIA NACIONAL
Bluefields, Nicaragua 14 October 1931

From:  The Area Commander, Eastern Area.
To:    The Jefe Director, Headquarters Guardia Nacional.

1. Forwarded.

2. This case is being held in abeyance, in accordance with instructions contained in paragraph 3, General Order No. 5 – 1931, pending decision of the Jefe Director relative to tribunal possessing jurisdiction.

3. It is the recommendation of the Area Commander that Raso Alfonso ABENDANO, #1584, GN, be brought to trial before a [?]onsejo de Guerra General for manslaughter.

                [signed]
                    L. L. LEECH

M31.10.07, RG127/43A/30

GUARDIA NACIONAL DE NICARAGUA,
4 October 1931

STATEMENT OF 2nd LIEUTENANT E. J. SURPRENANT, GUARDIA NACIONAL, CONCERNING THE DEATH OF MR. ALDOLPHO COCKBURN.

Having been detailed by the District Commander to proceed to Sakalin to search for reported cattle thieves and a typewriter reported to have been stolen from Cabo Gracias, I left Kisalaya about 0730, 2 October 1931.

From information given to me by the District Commander I thought it best to search the house of Mr. Cockman. About 0900 A.M., 3 October 1931 we arrived at the house and were met by Mr. Cockburn who was cordial enough in greeting us but on being questioned as to cattle thieves and any knowledge of the typewriter he grew very surly and non-communicative.

I entered the house with Sergeant Alfonso Avendano, #1584. In an office next to the room where we were talking I saw a typewriter. I asked him if I could look at it. He flew in a fury of rage and shouted some words all of which I could not understand and reached for a pistol which was on a table right aside of him. From the man’s actions I believed he intended to shoot me and I reached for my pistol. The Sergeant who was in back of me fired with a Sub-Thompson Machine Gun hitting him about the head and killing him instantly.

We then departed returning to Kisalaya where the death was reported to the District Commander.

         /s/  EDWARD J. SURPRENANT,
               2nd Lt., Guardia Nacional.

M31.10.04, RG127/43A/30

STATEMENT OF RADIO 2nd LT. T. E. CODY, GUARDIA NACIONAL, CONCERNING DEATH OF MR. ADOLPHO COCKBURN.

ON 2 OCTOBER 1931 I ACCOMPANIED LT SURPRENANT TO SACKLIN AND UPON FOLLOWING MORNING 3 OCTOBER 1931 PROCEEDED WITH HIM TO THE HOUSE OF MR. COCKBURN.

ON ARRIVAL LT. SURPRENANT AND SERGEANT AVENDANO WENT INSIDE WHILE I REMAINED OUTSIDE PRIVATE ALEGRIA REMAINING WITH ME. I WENT AROUND TO THE SIDE OF THE HOUSE WHILE THERE HEARD SHORT BURST OF FIRE FROM SUB THOMPSON AND RAN BACK AROUND THE HOUSE AND BEING CALLED BY LT. SURPRENANT WAS TOLD TO REMAIN OUTSIDE TO SEE THAT NO ONE LEFT THE HOUSE. WHEN LT. SURPRENANT CAME FROM THE HOUSE HE TOLD ME MR. COCKBURN HAD ATTEMPTED TO KILL HIM.

RETURNED WITH PATROL TO KISALAYA.

     /s/  THERALD E. CODY
               2nd LT. GUARDIA NACIONAL.

RG127/43A/30

DISTRICT OF KISALAYA, DEPT OF PUERTO CABEZAS
GUARDIA NACIONAL OF NICARAGUA
4, Oct, 1931

STATEMENT OF SERGEANT ALFONSO AVENDANO L. #1584 IN REGARD TO DEATH OF ADOLPHO COCKBURN.

YO, ALFONSO AVENDANO G. N. #1584 de 22 dos años de edad y alistado en la Guardia Nacional fui en comision a Sakalin con tenientes Suprenant y Cody y el Raso Carlos Alegria.

Como las 9:30 a.m. de la mañana fuimos a una hacienda de ganado. Yo con el teniente Suprenant entramos la casa. Cuando el teniente conversaba con el dueño yo me retirarme a un lado, y cuando oyé voces altas me acerque juntos y cuando vei que el dueño de la hacienda que sacó su revolvo para disparar contra el teniente yo entré y disparé sobre él unos cuantos tiros que entró en la cabeza de él. Cockburn. Él cayó muerto.

Nosotros regrasamos a Kisalaya el mismo día.

   /s/  Sgto. Alfonso Avendaño
                  #1584 G.N.

RG127/43A/30

GUARDIA NACIONAL DE NICARAGUA
CUARTEL GENERAL, AREA DEL ESTE

BLUEFIELDS, NICARAGUA.
7 October 1931

From:    The Area Commander, Eastern Area.
To:      The Jefe Director, Headquarters Guardia Nacional de

         Nicaragua, Managua, Nicaragua

Subject: Kisalaya intelligence report.

Enclosure: (1)

1. An extract from Captain McAfee’s weekly intelligence report to the Department Commander, Department of Northern Bluefields, covering last week of September 1931, is forwarded herewith, by enclosure.

               [signed]
                    L. L. LEECH

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(NOTE BY AREA COMMANDER, BLUEFIELDS, NICARAGUA: Period covered by this report believed to be last week of September 1931)

INTELLIGENCE.

The general state of the District is friendly. The Indians here and those who travel the river are friendly; they bring such products as they have for sale. They stop off here on all their trips up and down and are willing to talk as much as they know.

From all information gathered there are no bandit activities any nearer than Bocay; and these were said to have cleared out on the approach of airplanes. However the Indians are pretty much in a state of terror over the bandit situation. They have been molested very little in comparison to the inhabitants of the Central and Northern areas, but they seem more excitable and have more fear.

There are several Nicaraguans and half breed Indians who are bandits or at least in sympathy with the bandits who live around Waspuk and Seng-Seng. These names are known to me; having been given by reputable people. Fortunately these are mostly wanted for some crime and if captured can be disposed of easily. Having a good boat I intend to try and clear these people out or at least drive them out of the country.

These people having had no protection have been a prey to the bandits and their propaganda, and it may take some time to eradicate the impression, but it is only a matter of conduct; as they are ruled only by fear, and possibly by gifts of stolen cattle the bandits have been unable to carry off.

Information as to the general headquarters of the bandits was related, It is near Cua about half a days march from Santa Maria up a branch of the Coco, left hand branch going up. This camp is well concealed and is not known to any but the trusted few. Indian porters are killed when they reach the camp in order to prevent the exact location from being known. The information as to the location was told by an Indian who knowing the fate of his predecessors, escaped before reaching the camp. But he was close enough to give a pretty fair description to another who related it to me. This is the base of supplies, and while this information, I believe is known to the Guardia of the Northern Area, it is thought of sufficient interest to report.

RG127/43A/30

ABOUT THE DEATH OF THE HON. DEPUTY MR. ADOLFO COCKBURN.

League of Natives accuse the Guardia Nacional.

By Air Mail Special for “EL INDEPENDIENTE”.

The League of Creoles and Indians of Bilway, Puerto Cabezas has brought before the Court of Appeals a sensational charge which if it proves to be true will assume proportion of great significance. The information is signed by the secretary of the said League, Mr. J. L. Dixon, and purports to set forth the circumstances surrounding the death of Deputy Adolfo Cockburn, who, according to the report, was assassinated by certain Guardia officers. The following is the text of the report:

“In the month of August some airplanes arrived at the Coco-river passing over the villages of Saklin, Soupuka, Kisalaya and Uliwas.- According to their custom all the indians, men, women, and children, ran out into the patios to look at the planes, and they were bombed by the said planes as bandits.- One of the women that was killed left 9 children who are now naked and dying of hunger.

A little while ago the Guardia called in all the men of Kisalaya and questioned them in English. As these Indians do not speak English they could answer nothing and this was reason sufficient for killing some of them.- These guardias are doing nothing more nor less than killing the poor Indians.- They are worse than the regular bandits and we are without any protection whatever.

Now I want to give certain information concerning the death of Mr. Adolfo Cockburn, who was assassinated by the Guardia and American Marines stationed at Kisalaya. Mr. Cockburn was getting ready to go to Congress to take the seat of the deceased deputy Dr. Juan Lacayo. The Marines send word to Mr. Cockburn that they wanted to talk with him and that he was to wait. Five guardias and Marines as if to visit Mr. Cockburn. They shook hand with him in a friendly way and wished him a pleasant trip.

They took a photograph of Mr. Cockburn and afterwards sat down to dinner, being served with mil, wine and the best that the house afforded. After dinner they conversed for a while and then asked permission to search the house. Mr. Cockburn consented and as he arose to conduct them through the house he was shot in the head from behind. Mr. Cockburn made as if to defend himself when another American shot him a second time in the forehead. Then there was a mad rushing to and fro within the house and they shot him twice more. When he fell to the floor they mutilated his head with cutachas.- All of this was done on charges of which the poor victim was innocent, but as they feared him they killed him. This occurred on Oct. 3 at 2pm. Thus was treated a man that had done nothing wrong but assist the Guardia Nacional. Always when they wanted to make a trip on the river, they went on the gasoline launch of Mr. Cockburn. If they wanted to go overland, they rode the horses of Mr. Cockburn. Thus they repaid him. The indians are furious but they are afraid to talk or do anything. After killing him the Guardias went to Saklin and told the Indians there that Mr. Cockburn had killed a big beef and was inviting all the Indians to come and get some meat, as Mr. Cockburn is the only father and protector of these indians. When the Indians arrived at the house they found the dead body of this gigantic man on the floor of the house. They buried him Sunday, Oct. 4, at 6 pm.

The daughter, Victoria Cockburn, says that the Guardia are killing the cattle, property willed to her and branded with her brand, but that she is afraid to say anything about it.

As Mr. Cockburn was a British subject the daughter has been advised to make a complaint before the British Consul. As Miss Cockburn is a member of the League of Creoles and Indians she has asked the League in Bluefields to present her complaint to the Consul and authorities and secure the appointment of a Guardian of the property until further dispositions can be made. The property is valued at $40,000 to $50,000.00.

If necessary this letter may be published.

League of Creoles and Indians – Bilway, Puerto Cabezas, (f) J. L. Dixon, Sec.

On receipt of the foregoing complaint, the Court of Appeals of this City, sent the following radio to the Supreme Court in Managa:

“Sec. Supreme Court, Managua. Grave rumors of the assassination of Deputy Adolfo Cockburn had determined this Tribunal to order the judge at Cabo to begin an investigation. He has replied that he will need an advance for transportation and food estimated at $65.00. Request this amount be sent directly to that official in order to carry into effect the proceedings of Justice as quickly as possible. M. G. Lopez, Sec. Court of Appeals.”

Miss Cockburn is now en route to this city where she is expected to arrive by the next boat.

Mr. Luis Mena Solorzano well known liberal and Administrator of Rentas in the Department left by airplane today for Managua. He is going to the Capital for the purpose of discussing important matters with high personages in Managua. His place is being taken temporarily by his young brother Carlos Mena Solorzano.

CORRESPONDENT.

From EL INDEPENDIENTE, Sunday, 18 October 1931.

RG127/43A/30

All documents above transcribed by Pleet Initiative-funded Lebanon Valley College student-researcher

Nicholas J. Quadrini.