2023-08-31 08:00:00
The journalist and president of the Municipal Council of the capital of the Territory of Neuquén, from 1908 to 1914, Abel Chaneton, had a presentiment of his death. His intuition told him that his days were numbered, following denouncing in the newspaper “Neuquén” that he directed, the atrocious massacre of prisoners in Zainuco and the lack of investigation to arrive at the truth.
Two months before his death, the journalist from Neuquén published in his newspaper a text titled “inconsistencies”, dedicated to his dear friend Donato, recently deceased, in which a part of the historical library claims to have left his presentiment that his end would come soon.
“You have not died. In this house we all remember you today. Your absence is brief, at least for one of those who were your companions. You have preceded us, beloved gringo, where only the good have a little place, those who, like you, had no other weakness than being too good,” began the article, which was transcribed by Ángel Edelman in his book “Recuerdos Territorianos.”
“It has been convenient for you to anticipate your trip and also, if you always had to live here, you did well. “There, if I take merit for my things in this world and counting on your love, I will surely find a place to rest at your side, from the fatigues of this sad pilgrimage of which I swear, I will not carry grudges that vent, but pain to refer to you. “Wait for me, then, dear friend”, thus ended the letter, two months later Abel Chaneton was murdered while leaving a play, in front of the Alegría bar, located at the corner of Olascoaga and Miter avenues. The murder occurred on the night of January 18, 1917.
On May 23, 1916, the capital city woke up with one of the news that caused the greatest commotion in the population. Some 150 prisoners managed to breach the weak security of penitentiary 9, and managed to escape, in the middle of a shootout with the police.
Having overcome this first obstacle, divided into factions they took different paths. One of the groups consisting of 17 men between the ages of 22 and 30, they fled west on Route 22. His final destination was Chile.
But luck eluded them and on May 30 they were ambushed in the Zainuco Valley, place near Primeros Pinos. They were shot to death, from behind, while they were crouching down drinking water from a nearby lagoon.
Chaneton was committed until the last day to seek the truth. He claimed from his diary that a impartial investigation into what happenedsince the accounts of residents of the area who were witnesses and the material evidence contradicted the official version.
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