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Sacking of the Bonanza & La Luz mines, April-May 1928

     This eyewitness account of the sacking of the Bonanza & La Luz mines in mid-April 1928 by forces under EDSN General Manuel María Girón Ruano offers a fascinating glimpse into Sandinista attitudes toward foreign property especially US property.  Patterns of property destruction and violence show a highly disciplined group that committed no violence against persons but saw foreign-owned property as a legitimate target.  Indeed, the group went out of its way not to hurt anyone (making sure no one was in the Ball Mill before blowing it to smithereens, for instance), while also either taking or destroying all fixed and moveable property.  In the words of General Girón (as reported by the eyewitness), "they wanted to destroy everything belonging to the Americans."

     As in the sacking of El Jícaro a few months earlier, events at Bonanza Mine were marked by a carnivalesque atmosphere, a ritualized inversion of property relations and radical egalitarianism, with the rebels sharing equally in divvying up the spoils.  Mainly they're interested in taking all the guns, ammunition, food, and clothing they can carry, and destroying everything else.  In these patterns of property destruction and appropriation the rebel bands articulated a powerful and unambiguous statement:  that they really hated the United States of America.   Also noteworthy is the second raid led by Marcos Agüero, in the spring of 1928 a key Sandinista jefe in the Río Bocay region, according to captured correspondence.  (Photos of destruction at La Luz Mine, US National Archives; for additional photos see Photo Page 1, La Luz Mine)
 
     The observations of the German construction engineer S. Graae on the "insane" labor conditions in the mines also merit close attention.  Graae not only identifies U.S. Ambassador Fletcher as having a material stake in the mines (through his brother-in-law, a former supervisor at La Luz Mine and in charge of the commissaries at Puerto Cabezas), but also describes the extreme exploitation of mine laborers.  As Graae put it, because of the company's long history of treating the workers like "slaves . . . There has been a great reason for revolt."
 

     This was a major episode that helped to define the character of the emergent Sandinista movement.  Over the next half-decade the rebels threatened & attacked & sacked the Neptune & other mines, as the Marines-Guardia first garrisoned and then withdrew from the mines, citing lack of resources and strategic purpose, leaving mine owners to their own devices.  The mines seem to crystalize much of the essential character of this explosive rebellion.  Most of the documents showing these patterns are housed in the East Coast pages.

 


Enclosure No. 1
Copy.
Bluefields, Nicaragua.
May 12, 1928.

ARTURO PINEDA, a native of Nicaragua resident of Bluefields, 27 years of age and unmarried, being sworn according to law deposes and says that for some time he has been in charge of the commissary at the Neptune Mine the property of Bonanza Mines Company, situated in the mining district of Pis Pis, Department of Bluefields, Republic of Nicaragua. That at 2 o'clock Sunday morning April 15, 1928, a special messenger from La Luz Mine brought the news that Sandino's army had looted said mine and was on its way to Neptune, thereupon the Inspector of Police, the Superintendent of the mine with other employees and workmen of the mine (with the exception of myself, Fred Delft (German) and five colored men) not waiting for the arrival of the soldiers to reach the mine at about 8 a.m. ran to the bush for safety.
 
That a detachment of Sandino's army numbering about 200 men on horseback under command of General Manuel M. Giron R., reached Neptune mine at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 15, 1928.
 
Colonel Rodriguez who had command of the advance guard asked me in Spanish where the Americans were. I told him there was nobody here but me and I was in charge of the place. Then two soldiers searched my person after which the Colonel asked me if the company had any arms and ammunition. I told him that Mr. A. H. Head must have taken same.
 
Then he and some soldiers went to the comandancia and searched / p. 2 / searched the place finding a few rifles, the property of the Nicaraguan Government that were there for the use of the Police Inspector. Then they asked me where was the Inspector of Police and the employees of the mine. I answered that they left early in the morning on their way to Bluefields.
 
At this time General Giron with his staff arrived and immediately asked me for and ordered me to open the Commissary and show him around which I did.
 
He went up to my room first and when I opened my trunk for examination he found ten shells for a 35 caliber rifle, the property of the company which he took.
 
Then we went to Mr. Hansen's (Norwegian) room who was sick and in bed and while the General was questioning him the soldiers took his watch, fifty dollars in cash, a rain coat and a pair of lace boots. General Giron made no effort to restrain them from this robbery.
 
A visit was next made to Mr. Napoleon's room and after a fruitless search for ammunition and arms a rain coat was all they took therefrom.
 
Next was Mr. Warnick's room the President of the company who at that time was in Philadelphia, Penna. They asked for the keys to his trunk and two valises and as I did not have them they lock of the trunk was broken where a 45 calibre Colts automatic pistol was found which the[y] appropriated.
 
Our next visit was to the office where a general search was made finding another 45 calibre Colts automatic pistol which was confiscated.
 
I was then asked for the combination of the safe which I did not have. The General then sent for Mr. Delft and another / p. 3 / another mechanic who was at the order of the General broke the hinges and the combination and got some ammunition for the two pistols.
 
Then on to the Commissary and while the soldiers were helping themselves to anything they wanted the General called for Mr. Delft and asked him how much gold was in the boxes, his reply was that he did not know. The General sent for two black men John McPherson and Felipe Benard and asked them to melt the gold and he would pay them. He wanted the gold to be ready on Monday afternoon before dark, which was done and the amount of bullion taken was 344 1/2 ounces he giving me a receipt therefor.
 
The soldiers under command of Colonel Sanchez and General Giron in the meantime etc. drank and gave out things in the Commissary to a lot of stragglers. All with the exception of 20 soldiers left at midnight for Lone Star where they had a camp.
 
On their way from La Luz Mine the army stopped at Lone Star, subsequently coming to Neptune Mine.
 
Before the General left he gave me orders to leave the doors of the Commissary open and to let everybody have what they wanted; saying because it was American property they wanted to destroy everything belonging to the Americans, this was said in the presence of the soldiers.
 
The 20 remaining soldiers had instructions to see that the people got everything they wanted from the Commissary by order of General Giron and they made a clean sweep of the contents.
 
Monday the 16th orders came from General Giron to send some provisions to Lone Star Mine and to get enough flour to bake bread for the soldiers and stragglers which was done by me. / p. p. 4 / by me.
 
At eight o'clock Tuesday morning the 17th General Giron came from Lone Star Mine (abandoned) which is about two miles from Neptune and asked me how much powder (dynamite) we had on hand and he was told about sixty cases which he took making three piles thereof and burned it up.
 
After eating breakfast they put a case of dynamite into the Ball Mill and blew it up using 25 feet of fuse to enable every one to get out of danger so as to avoid killing or injuring any persons when the dynamite exploded after this performance they departed for Lone Star Mine.
 
In the meantime the General sent the three soldiers to Panama Mine accompanied by Andres Leiva and Ascencion Figueros where the Company's mules were in hiding and helped themselves to six taking a pistol from Wederburn then to the Bodega (Warehouse) at Aguas Caliente taking all the merchandise there then for Lone Star with their plunder. At the same time taking Jose Moncada along to care for the mules.
 
About six p.m. Sunday April 29th another contingent of some 80 soldiers under command of Marcos Aguero came to the mine and took from the Commissary whatever was left and departed in the direction of Waspook river.
 
And further deponent sayeth not.
 
(Signed) ARTHUR M. PINEDA.
 
American Consulate,
Bluefields, Nicaragua.
 
Sworn and subscribed by ARTHUR M. PINEDA, before me at the American Consulate, this the 12th day of May, 1928. /s/ Samuel J. Fletcher, Consul of the United States of America at Bluefields, Nicaragua. Service No. 128.

Deposition of Arthur M. Pineda, Bluefields, 12 May, 1928, Encl. 1 in S. J. Fletcher, Bluefields to US Legation, Managua, May 17, 1928, USDS 817.00/5739, and 317.1157, Bonanza Mines Co.

Ancillary Documents

 

American Consulate,

Bluefields, Nicaragua, May 17, 1928

 

 

THE HONORABLE

    THE AMERICAN MINISTER

          AMERICAN LEGATION

               MANAGUA, NICARAGUA

 

 

SIR:

 

     SUBJECT:  ACTIVITIES OF SANDINO'S FOLLOWERS, ATTACK ON LA LUZ AND BONANZA MINES IN BLUEFIELDS CONSULAR DISTRICT:

 

     I have the honor to report that on the morning of May 2, 1928, this consulate received word of the second invasion of the Pis Pis district by the followers of Sandino.  These raiders, between sixty and eighty, unlike the first group (this consulate's letter of April 28, 1928) were poorly organized, and among their number were several Sumu Indians armed with shotguns and machetes. 

 

     They arrived   /  p. 2  /   They arrived at the La Luz y Los Angeles Mine [in margin:  317.115 L15]  on April 24, under the command of Marcos Aguero, which they destroyed on the same day by discharging 25 cases of dynamite taken from the company's storehouse.  The second group again ransacked the company's commissary and private homes and then departed for the Bonanza Mines.

 

     The attached copy (Enclosure No. 1) of the sworn statement of Arturo Pineda gives details of the two attacks on the Neptune Mine of the Bonanza group.  There is also attached a copy (Enclosure No. 2) of a receipt given by the first group of Sandinistas.  As of further interest to you I am sending the original memorandum (Enclosure No. 3) prepared by Mr. Graae, a construction engineer at Puerto Cabezas, and a letter (Enclosure No. 4) said to have been written by the father of Augusto Sandino to a relative in Puerto Cabezas.

 

     Second hand information received in this consulate indicate that at the time the marines were ascending the river from Cabo Gracias, on one occasion Sandino was but two miles ahead of them at luncheon with a family of Moravian missionaries.  According to the wife of the missionary (a German) Sandino spoke bitterly of the action of some of his followers in committing robberies and atrocities of which he disavowed all knowledge especially with the wanton destruction of the La Luz and Neptune Mines.

 

     This consulate has been unable to learn anything of the whereabouts or welfare of Marshall, the last heard from him being of the date April 24, 1928.

 

     A rumor   /  p. 3  /   A rumor reached this city today that 50 raiders had been sighted near Rama on the Escondido river.  A patrol has been sent out to verify the report and should the rumor prove true the remainder of the garrison here will be sent to engage them.

 

     I have the honor to be, Sir,

 

          Your obedient servant,

 

               Samuel J. Fletcher,

                    American Consul.

 

 

 

USDS 817.00/5739

 

 


Enclosure No. 2

 

COPIA.

 

TRANSLATION.

 

BONANZA MINES COMPANY.

 

     Mr. Arthur Pineda was directed to place at the orders of the forces of the Liberator whatever may be necessary for its sustenance and as this property belongs to Americans who are the cause of this expedition we take for our use merchandise which we are in need of and the existing gold which amounted to 344 1/2 ounces.

 

     For Country and Liberty,

 

     (Signed)  GENERAL MANUEL M. GIRON R.

 

Neptune, April 17, 1928.

 

Service No. 133.



Enclosure No. 3.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE SEIZURE OF AMERICAN OWNED MINES OF THE PIS PIS DISTRICT, NICARAGUA.

 

     After the first news poured out about the capture by Sandino's forces of the Pis Pis Mine group, it was evident that the news spread in the American press were very tendentious.

 

     A closer investigation has revealed facts which have to be taken into consideration before making a national affair of it.

 

     The seizure and blowing up of the mines was not alone a political action, but was a result of insane labor conditions and corruption in the mine management.

 

     The very fact that the Fletcher family of New York, of which Ambassador Fletcher is a member, and Ambassador Fletcher's brother-in-law, Mr. Martin, now Superintendent of the Commissary at Puerto Cabezas, and formerly Superintendent of the La Luz Mine, is no reason to hide the truth and to give the entire affair a political aspect.  The laborers at the mine are paid $1.50 a day.  From this salary is taken $0.75 for food, $0.25 for medical services per day.  Remaining 50 cents to take care of clothing and feeding the families.

 

     Cash is never seen, the company paying its laborers through credit in its commissaries where the humblest necessities of life are manifold overcharged.  The laborer, working 10 hours a day has no chance of making a headway but remains a slave, always dependent and in obligation to his creditors, the commissaries.

 

     The miners in this and many other ways deprived of making even a modest living have had good reason for revolt and found   /  p. 2  /   and found in Sandino's movement a splendid opportunity to take revenge over their former superiors.

 

     There has been a great reason for revolt and it would be advisable for the federal government to look into these affairs, so little creditable for American prestige in Central America.

 

                    (Signed)   S. GRAAE.

 

                    May 14, 1928.       Puerto Cabezas.

 

 

 

 


[ Excerpt from B-2 Report, Managua, 6 May 1928 ]

... (7)  From CO, Bluefields:  Capt. Rose reports received information from one Mr. Johnson at Prinzapolka from La Luz Mine that band of sixty bandits dynamited and destroyed mill at that mine 24th Apr.  Band led by Jose Aroliga and Cicilio Gutierrez; left headed for Bocay.  Reliable native from Pis Pis reports mill at that mine dynamited and destroyed 17th Apr. by band of about 50.  Left 18th headed for La Luz Mine.  Unreliable report that George Marshall has been taken into interior to Sandino. ......

 

(9)  CO, Bluefields reports information received from Mr. Johnson who left there 25th that La Luz Mine mill blown up with 25 cases dynamite and Bonanza with 1 case.  60 Sandinistas, 30 of whom were Indians and rest Nicaraguans, armed with muzzle loading shotguns and Krag rifles, little ammunition camped at El Dorado two hours out on trail from La Luz to Pis Pis.  They came down Coco and up Bocay in 3 big canoes which they left at Casas Viejas.  From there came overland to Pis Pis and joined Jiron.  Jiron left Pis Pis 18th and arrived Casas Viejas 22nd enroute Jinotega.  Intentions probably either to go to Jinotega or to Sandino's camp in Jinotega.  Carried Marshall with him, not injured.  Sandino's orders to bring in all Americans.  Native reports Marcusa Aguero and 60 men still at El Dorado 25th.  Probably intentions are to return to Jinotega shortly over same route he came over. ......

 

(18)  From CO, Matagalpa:  Capt. Hart reports unconfirmed information received from native of Cacao, on Pis Pis trail that he had talked to Sgt. Maj. of last group to pass Cacao who stated Gen. Irias was there, ammunition was very low and they hoped to get more but it was doubtful.  That he only knew they were going to Pis Pis to join Jiron.  That Sandino had remained in the mountain of Segovia with his staff.  Same native states he met on Apr. 28th at Guaslala 18 miles from Cusuli 3 natives returning from Puerto Cabezas who stated that on 24th Apr. they passed group of about 70 armed men at La Qeiba on Pis Pis trail and 28th they passed second group of about 20, mostly on foot, all armed, had 4 pack bulls, no machine guns seen.  Group under Irias left Cusuli 24th. ...

IR 28.05.06, RG127/209/2

 

Photographs of the destruction of La Luz Mine, April 1928 
US National Archives, RG127/38/29-30

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