Jasper County Democrat, Volume 19, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 April 1916 — FEAR ESCAPE OF VILLA MAY MEAN LONG CHASE [ARTICLE]

FEAR ESCAPE OF VILLA MAY MEAN LONG CHASE

Army Men at Capital Doubt Early Capture, hut U. S. Officials Are Hopeful. Washington, April 2. —Hope for the early capture of Villa still prevails in official quarters, but some of the seasoned army campaigners here fear the failure to take him at Gerrero may result in a long chase. Today brought no news to the war department of the Villa hunt. Admiral Winslow, repotting to the navy department today on conditions along the west Mexican coast, said that although the situation at present was quiet there were signs of unrest among the natives, particularly in the vicinity of Guaymas and Toi^tqbampo. The war department received official notice Friday afternoon that Col. Dodd's cavalry troop of 400 horsement had surprised Villa and 500 of his followers in camp at 6 a. m., the Wednesday previous and in the “brush” that followed 31 “greasers” were slain and several prisoners taken. Four members of the attacking party were slightly wounded only. The Villa gang was put to flight and were pursued for five hours by Col. Dodd’s cavalrymen. Villa himself, js was stated, who had been wounded in the hip and knee in some other mix-up, was hurried away in a light carriage and made his escape at the time. No further official news has been received, but it was hoped that Col. Dodd’s men had been able to catch the much-wanted bandit, and unofficial rumors had it Monday that this was a fact, but it is generally doubted. The distance aw T ay from and the diffiulty in the means of communication with his superiors is given as the cause of delay in the “brush” of last Wednesday, and the lack of official news from the American forces since that time.