Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 233, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 September 1916 — FORDS FLOOD ON INSPECTION TRIP [ARTICLE]

FORDS FLOOD ON INSPECTION TRIP

General Pershing and Staff Have Thrilling Experience in Mexico. COMMANDER LEADS THE WAY Make Round by Motor, on Foot and In Baddle—Four Time* Forced to Ford and Bwim Swollen Banta Maria.

Headquarters, American Expedition, Mexico. —Raging rivers and flooded lowlands did not halt the progress of General Pershing and his staff on their recent tour of Inspection of the expeditionary force In Mexico. By motor, on foot and Jn the saddle —forced four times to ford and swim the swollen Santa Marla river—they reached the southernmost point of the expedition—El Valle —and returned In good time to the starting point of Colonla Dublan. So far, approximately 9,000 troops have beeto reviewed and inspected, with their animals, supplies and equipment The first sign of bad road conditions on the trip just ended, came when San Joaquin was reached and dispatches from the south told of the rapidly rising Santa Marla river. It was the news that the bridge conby army engineers at El Valle had been washed out. The Santa Marla flood roared between the Inspection, staff and Las Galeras, the next point to be Inspected. Haul Machines Out of Mire. General Pershing ordered the party to proceed. The five touring cars—the first carrying the American flag and the commanding general’s star-crest-ed red pennant —followed by two supply cars, went forward; —At- GarboltJena, 12 miles from the Santa Marla, a young lieutenant rode up at the head of a detail of cavalrymen. “It will be impossible to cross the river, general,” he reported.