The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-03-28
THE ARREST OF MARSHAL MEADE.
Official Report Concerning the Recent Arrest
Of American Officers in Mexico.

TUCSON, A. T., March 2z-United States Mar
sha1 w. Z. Meade has forwarded to Secretary
of State Bayard the following account Of the
arrest of himself and deputies by Mexican
officials while pursuing Southern Pacific train
robbers on Mexican soil:
'At about o'clock P. NJ. on the 22d of Febru-
ary was notified by the superintendent of the
Southern Pacific Railroad Company eat this
point that west-bound train had been stopped
by train robbers a few miles of Steiu's
Pass, near the line dividing Arizona from New
Mexico, and that the United States mail agent
had been fired at three times and the express
robbed. summoned posse and at once pro-
ceeded with arms and horses in a special car to
the scene of the robbery, distant about one
son. secured the services OF
four celebrated Papago Indian trailers, which,
with the others comprising the posse consisted
OF Sheriff M. +. Shaw. Deputy Sheriff G. a.
Shibell, Deputy United States Marshal w.
Smith, Mr.. w. G. Wort. and myself. We ar
rived at the scene Of the robbery soon after day.
light the following morning. The trail was
easily found, and was SO fresh that we antici-
pated no difficulty in following and coming up
with the robbers and their booty within a COM
paratively short distance. Accoutred as We
were with simply arms and horses, without
blankets or provisions, We started enthusiastic
ally on the trail Two days later Mr.. Shaw and
Mr.. Whorf were compelled to return, AID two
OF the Indian trailers returned with them. We
three, with the two other trailers, pushed on.
The trail, which we at first supposed would be
short. led over the most rugged mountains and
through almost impenetrable passes. The rob-
bers were well mounted and prepared for a long
tramp; and as we encoun tered considera ble snow
In the mountains. and were without food
or blankets our suferings were intense Still
We kept until we found cabin, where We
obtained small supply of food, which tempo
rarily appeased our appetites. At last we were
approaching the town of James, having rapidly
gained upon the robbers and discovering by the
trail that they were occasionally walking and
leading their horses. We at ence abandoned the
pursuit temporarily and went to Janos to report,
that being the first point where there was a GUS
tom-house, and this being the first opportunity
offered US for presenting ourselves before an Of
'hcer OF official authority of Mexico Knowing
the peculiar strictness Of the Mexican authori-
ties in this matter. we desired at to place
them in possession of all the evidence which we
had obtained and then request them to follow
up the cuprits, make the arrest and hold the
prisoners for extraditon-thI5 being the course
Invariably pursued in such cases. With this view
we reported at Jancs to Lletenant Marti nez. the
commanding officer, stated all the facts, ex-
planned fully the object of our mission and the
reasons which brought there armed and
equipped. We notified him Of our official rank
and as we were at once identified by several ac-
Quaintances, ne had reason to doubt our
official character. We offered to pay any duties.
IL any were required. give any bond that
might be legally demanded. We requested that
the pursuit of the robbers be at once resumed,
SO that they might not escape, and offered to-
pay any and all expenses which might be in
Cured in the accomplishment of this purpose,
and we offered to go with them, if necessary, to
render such assistance as might be required. In
response to all this were at once placed
under arrest, our arms and horses taken from
us, and a strong guard placed over US. We
were thus held for fourteen days and compelled
to pay for our own subsistence at exorbitant
rates.
'All our efforts TO ascertain the cause of our
arrest and the charges against us were uuavail-
ing. We were told that must remain in ar
rest until orders could be received from the city
of chihuahua. about 160 miles distant We Of
fered bonds for release. but notwithstand-
ing these offers and the indignation expressed
generally by the Mexican citizens at the out
rageous treatment imposed upon US, the Mexis
can officials, with Lieutenant Martinez at their
head, were utterly deaf TO all appeals to mag
nanimity or official or international courtesy
At the expiration of fourteen days we were dis
charged, we understood, by orders from the
government. and then for the first time we were
informed that our arrest c6used on account
OF our being an armed posse. We asked
quest was denied. / then requested
the authorities to give me a receipt |
for the property, as had to account for it. and |
l desired statement to the effect that we had |
been held as prisoners for fourteen days. ac- |
companled byia statement of the charge. ETC.. |
20 0e used by me IN explanation OF my official |
condnct. Lieutenant Martinez then informed |
me that II would sign statement which he |
nad prepared, that he would give receipt /
Tor the property taken. As the statement which |
had been kindly and courteously treated while |
under arrest. and as such statement was void Of I
sven n semblance of truth, l refused to sign il /
Lieutenant Martinez then refused TO give ma /
Ine desired receipt. subsequently he attempted /
20 DrlOe me 10 sign his statement by various 1
promises, but refused to become a party to any
such transaction. We were then released with
but horses, transportation arms aud we were |
compelled to make our way back as beat we
could