Jasper County Democrat, Volume 18, Number 99, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 March 1916 — AMERICAN TROOPS IN BATTLE WITH VILLA OUTLAWS [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

AMERICAN TROOPS IN BATTLE WITH VILLA OUTLAWS

U. S. Cavalry Pursues Bandits Into Mexico. 17 AMERICANS ARE KILLEO Residents of Columbus, N. M., Are Murdered When 500 Outlaws Attack Town—One Hundred Mexicans Shot Down. Columbus, N. M., March 10.—-Seven-teen Americans dead as the result of an attempted wholesale massacre by Francisco Villa, tho Mexican bandit leader who, at the head of an army of from 800 to 1,000, attacked this town Thursday morning. General Funston botifled Washington that 46 Mexicans Were killed in the fighting hero. Nine of the dead were civilians, eight wore soldiers. One was a woman. Villa was driven off by troopers of the Thirteenth United States cavalry, on border guard, after part of Columbus had been burned. U. 3. Troops Cross Border. The American soldiors pursued tho bandits for a distanco of 15 miles on Mexican soil. Villa then made a stand, and in a battle the 260 pursuing cavalrymen and the bandits, more than three times their number, tho Mexicans were put to flight. The troopers returned to Columbus lato Thursday evening. They loft between 25 and 100 Mexicans dead in the arroyo where Villa made his stand. Villa Reported Wounded. Villa himself was wounded, according to a report brought back by tho

troops. He is said to have been struck by a bullet, almost falling from his horse. Comrades supported him In the saddle. Fully 200 of the Mexicans were killed as a result of their raid, according to indications. For miles around corpses of the band strew the plains. The remainder of Villa’s raiding force is reported to have circled back to the border and to have appeared west of here, near the camp of the Seventh cavalry. A new attack is feared. The troopers of the Seventh, on border guard, are greatly outnumbered by the Mexicans. In the fighting south of the border, Capt. George Williams, adjutant of the Thirteenth cavalry, was wounded. One trooper was killed. List of Americans Killed. The complete list of dead in the Columbus massacre follows: A. L. Ritchie, proprietor Central hotel; W. R. Walker, United States customs rider; C. C. Miller, owner of drug store; Mrs. Milton James, J. S. Dean, Frank Kendall, horseshoer. Troop K; Sergt. M. A. Hobbs, machine gtkn troop; Corp. Paul Simon, Sergt. John Nievergalt, troop band; Corp. Harry Wlswall, Troop G; Thomas Butler, private, Troop G; Fred A. Griffin, private, Troop K; J. J, Moore, merchant. Americans burned to death in Central hotel: Charles Dewitt Miller, Albuquerque, N. M.; M. M. Hart, cattle Inspector, El Paso, Tex.; Harry Davis, private. Troop K. Wounded: Lieut. C. C. Benson, Troop G; Jesse P. Taylor, Troop F; Theodore Katzorke, Troop L; Michael Barmazel, machine gun troop; John Yarbrough, Troop K; James Venner, Troop M; John Keough,' Troop G; James Veeder, Troop K; Milton James, railroad employee. Rlghteen Bandits Killed. The raid to American territory proved costly to the bandit chieftain. TUe__bodi§g Qf 18 Mexican bgndits. Jn-

eluding Pablo Lopfez, second in command. had been gathered and burned before noon and troopers reported an undetermined number of dead still lying In the brush. Led to the attack under the slogan, “Death to the Americans,” Villa’s followers fought with desperation. Just before dawn they crept along ditches skirting the United States cavalry camp and rushed the sleeping town, firing heavily. Raiders Apply Torch. The first volley brought American

troopers into almost instant action.! While a portion of the raiders engaged the cavalrymen others detailed by the bandit chieftain began applying the torch and shooting American civilians who ventured from the buildings. 1 Lights in homes and public buildings. Immediately became targets for, snipers posted at Villa’s direction.' Other bandits creeping close to American homes enticed a number of civilians into the open with Englishspoken invitations. A number of fatalities are attributed to this ruse. L Stores were looted, oil was poured: upon frame structures and the match, applied by still other bandits. The post office was raided, furniture smashed, but the looters obtained only! one small registered package. Fight Ends Suddenly. Many civilians barricaded themselves In their homes and fired at the Mexicans aB they darted through the> streets. The fighting in the town ended almost as suddenly as It began. 1 Less than two hours after the first shot was heard Villa’s buglers sounded the retreat and the raiders began a disordered flight, closely followed by American troopers. Colonel Slocum said he had received reliable information Villa had attacked with 500 men, leaving 1,000 others posted at or near Boca Grande, 25 miles southwest. Three Ranchmen Hanged. Prior to the raid, Arthur McKinney, foreman of the Palomas ranch; William Corbett and James O’Neil, captured by Villa Tuesday, were hanged and their bodies burned, according to information received here. Information that Francisco Villa and his chief lieutenant, Pablo Lopez, were in personal command of the raid was given Colonel Slocum by a Mexican rancher captured by the bandits last Sunday and who escaped during the fighting. This Mexican told of the hanging of the American ranchers McKinney, Corbett and O’Neil. He added that a fourth American, whose name he did not know, had been hanged at the same time. The Mexican said Villa attacked with from 800 to 1,000 men and a machine gun platoon. , The Mexican told Colonel Slocum, who was appointed to West Point from Illinois, that Villa left the Bosques Grandes ranch Tuesday, made a leisurely journey north and about four: o’clock Wednesday afternoon left a point on the Boca Grande and started for the border. “Villa was In personal charge and declared he was going to kill every American because the American government did not treat him right. Villa, declared Carranza could not make peace In Mexico. “With Villa were Pablo Lopez, Martin Lopez, Col. Candelario Sevantes, Col. Cruz Chavez, Gen. Jose Femandex and General Beltran,” To Force Intervention. The Mexican, who prayed that his name be not used, confirmed a report previously given out by Carranza officials that before leaving the Santa Ana district, in western Chihuahua, Villa had freely stated that he intended to force Intervention by the United States by raiding American territory and killing everybody In sight. The Mexican fugitive said that Villa addressed his men just before ordering an advance on Columbus. According to the Mexican’s account, Villa declared the watchwprd would bq “Death to Americans,” and added that the “killing of Americans was just because citizens of the United States were responsible for the wretched condition of Mexico.” Woman Tells of Threat. A Mrs. Wright, who stated that she and her husband and baby were captured by Villa several days ago, was liberated just before the fighting started.' She c_.ld at that time Villa declared, ‘‘l am going to shoot up Columbus and make a torch of every man, woman and child.” Lebardo Marquez was Captured by American and lodged In the guardhouse charged with having guided Villa to the border and pointed out houses where prominent American civilians, American officers and soldiers lived. The attack was a surprise. Villa was supposed to have been forty miles away, having caused a telegram to be sent Indicating his presence at a Nogales ranch. Carranza Men Join Villa. The Villa men were said to have, been joined by Carranza Boldlers after they crossed the border. A deep ditch parallels the United States army camp, the custom house and the railroad station. Through this gully the bandits were able to make a concealed approach. After posting snlperß at advantageous points, the bandits fired buildings, including the railroad station and hotels. As people rushed from their homes they were shot down by th€| snipers. Civilians armed themselveß and to-, gether with United States soldiers fought a battle of several hours with, the bandits Colonel Slocum’s revolver was shot from his hand as he his quarters. Some of the bandits, by speaking English, lured housefolk to the streets and shot them. burning hotels and other structures persons who sought to escape were killed or wounded. Villa’s Total Losses 100. The casualties of the Thirteenth cavalry in the fighting in Columbus was seven killed and five wounded. Villa’s total losses in the day’s fighting were estimated In excess of 105 killed and twice as many wounded. The American pursuit Into Mexico, which ended about two o’clock, waa reported to have accounted for more than seventy-five Mexicans killed and wounded.

Francisco Villa.