Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-05-04
geld ON MEXICAN SOIL.
UNITED STATES OFFICERS ABUSED.

u
A Posse of Americans, Giving Chase 10 Train
Robbers, Are Placed Under Guard Four.
teen Days and Shamefully Maltreated-
Secretary Bayard Notified
United States Marshal w. X. Meade has
says Tuscon (Arizona) dispatch, forwar ded
to Secretary OF State Bayard the following ac-
count OF the arrest OF himself and deputies by
Mexican officials while pursuing Southern Pa
ellie train robbers on Mexican soil
"At about O'clock y. m, on the 22d day OF
February, / was notified by the superintend-
ent OF the Southern Pacific Railway Company
at this point that the west-bound train had
been stopped by train robbers a few miles
west OF STEMS Pass. near the line dividing
Arizona from Mexico, that the United States
,wail agent had been fired at three times and
The express robbed.
III summoned posse and at once proceeded
with arms and horses in special car to the
scene Of the robbery. distant about one hun.
dred and fifty miles from Tuscon. l secured
the services Of the celebrated Pspsgo Indian
trailers, who with others comprised the posse,
consisting of Sheriff NJ. +. Shaw Deputy
Sheriff c. A. Shlbell, Deputy United States
We arrived at the scene Of robbery soon after
daylight The trail was easily found, and
so fresh that we anticipated no difficulty in
following and coming up with the robbers and
their booty within a comparatively short dis.
tance. Accoutered we were with simply
arms and horses, without blankets or provis'
ions, We started enthusiastically on the trail.
Two DAYS later Mr.. Shaw and Mr.. Wharf
were compelled 10 return. and two OF the In
a i.xa tNa1 a han n IA hHA
with the two other trailers pushed on.
''The trail, which we at first SUPP o,ed
would be short led over the most rugged
mountains and through almost impenetrable
passes. The robbers were well mounted and
prepared for long tramp and as we en-
countered considerable snow I'm the noun
tains and were without food or blankets our
sufferings were intense. We still kept on
until we found a cabin, where we obtained q
small supply of food, which temporarily APP
peased our ravishing appetites. At last we
were approaching the town OF Janos, having
rapidly gained upon the robbers, and dis
covering by the trail that they occasionally
walked, leading their horses, We at once
abandoned the pursuit temporarily, and
went to Janos to report, that being the first
point where there was a custom house, and
this being the first opportunity offered us for
presenting ourselves before an officer or Of
fetal authority Of Mexico.
knowing the peculiar strictness OF MeXi-
can authorities in this matter we desired at
once to place them In possession OF all evil
dence which We had obtained, and then re-
quest them 10 follow up the culprts, make
the arrest, and hold the prisoners for extra
ditiop, this being the course Invariably pur
sued In such cases With this view we re-
ported at Jsnos to Lieutenant Martinez, the
com mandng officer, stated the facts, explain
ed fully the object OF our mission and the
reasons which brought us there armed and
equipped. We notified him OF our oftci al
rank, and, as we were at once identified by
several acQuaintances, he had no reason 10
doubt our official character We offered TO
pay any duties IL anywhere required, or
give any bond that might be legally demand
ed. We requested that the pursuit OF the
robbers be at once resumed so that they
might not escape, aud offered TO pay any and
all expenses which might be incurred in the
accomplishment of this purpose, and We OF.
fered to 60 with them. If necessary, TO render
such assistance as might be required. In res
ponse 10 ali this, we were at once placed
under arrest our arms and horses taken from
aus. and a strong guard placed over us.
= 1--WE were held for fourteen DAYS, and were
compelled TO pay for our subsistence at eIor-
bitant rates. All our efforts 10 ascertain the
cause OF our arrest and the charges against
us were unavaing. We were told that we
must remain under arrest until orders could
be received from the city of Chihuahua about
one hundred and sixty miles distant We
offered bonds for our release, but notwith-
standing these offers and Indignation ex-
pressed generally by Mexican citizens at the
outrageous treatment imposed upon us, the
Mexican officials, with Lieutenant Martinez
at their head. were utterly deaf to all appeals
TO magnanmity or official or international
courtesy. At the expiration Of fourteen DAYS
we were discharged, a. we understood by
orders from the Governor aud then, for the
first time, we were Informed that our arrest
was caused on account OF our being an armed
posse.
ave asked for our horses and arms and the
request was denied. | then requested the
authorizes 10 give me receipt for the prep
erty, as had 10 account for IL, and desired
a statement TO the effect that We had been
held az prisoners for fourteen DAYS, accom-
panied By q statement OF the charge etc, to
be used by me in explanation Of my Official
conduct Lieutenant Martinez then inform
ed me that II | would sign statement which
he had prepared he would give me a receipt
for the property taken As the statemen
which he asked me To sign set forth that we
had been kindly and courteously treated
while under arrest, AMI as such statement
was void OF even semblance Of truth, / re-
fused to sign IL. Lieutenant Martinez then
refused 10 give me the desired receipt. Sub
sequently he attempted 20 bride me TO sign
his statement by various promises, but ! re-
fused TO become party 10 any such trans
action. We were then released without horses
transportation, or arms, aud were compelled
to make our own way back as best We could