Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 233, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 October 1915 — MUTILATE BODY OF U. S. PRIVATE [ARTICLE]

MUTILATE BODY OF U. S. PRIVATE

Funston Wires Washington of Capture and Death of An American Trooper by Mexican Bandits.

Washington, Sept. 30.—A report from Captain McCoy, commanding U. S. troops at Mission, Tex., on the mutilation of the body of Private Richard J. Johnson, by bandits from the Mexican side of the border, was transmitted today to the war department by Major General Funston. It was sent to the state department. It is under date of Sept. 29, and reads as follows:

“On suggestion of Deputy Sheriff J. S. Mayfield, I interviewed one Guadaloupe Cuellar, held at Pharr, under civil charges, who stated what occurred in'the fight near El Progreso, Sept. 23-24, in substance as fololws: Under the command of the Carranzista officer stationed at Las Pelados with his troops recently arrived from Matamoros, a crossing was made during the night in their boats. The detachment of American soldiers at the crossing shot up and overpowered one, presumably Johnson, made prisoner and taken across to the Mexican side where he was without provocation shot five times, his ears and head cut off pfid carried away as souvenirs, the remains thrown into the Rio Grande. “The horses and arms captured from the American detachment were taken across and held in the Cuarta of the Carranzista soldiers at Las Pelados, which is only a quarter of a mile from the crossing and scene of fighting. The foregoing is embodied in a sworn statement, whifch I tbrned over to the commanding officer at Pharr to be forwarded in today's mail.” In transmitting the report General Funston said:

“The attack <in which Private Johnson was captured was that reported on the 24th in my No. 98. Private Johnson was one of two men who were on guard at the time the attack was made; the other man was killed.”