Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1890-01-03
Especial Correspondence.1

try. Brigandage was more rampan in
Mexico than it ever was in Italy, Corsica or
the half-civilized countries of the Mediterra-
mean. Losages, the bandit, was greater than
Diaz, the president, for with his merry men
the former would, upon frequent occasions,
sweep down upon the cities of Topic and
Guadalajara and place them in bondage until
he was paid a certain sum Of money.
A mild form of terrorism prevailed
throughout the states Of Jalisco and Guiana
juato, n the people submitted without a
seeming ~Iaouest. AS a result, the business of
a large section Of the country was nil, con-
sentative capital refused to develop the rich
resources of the land, and Mexico was q by
word and reproach among the nations of the
earth. The robbers were low and vulgar;
they had none of the chivalry or romantic
interest which attaches to the memory of
picturesque Robin Hood or Claude Duval.
They would steal the pennies from an old
mans kerchief and strip a woman of every
garment she possessed. Many a time has a
handsome senorita, after suffering the indig-
mites of the brigands, been compelled, like
Lady Godiva of old, to enter the portals of
the city of Topic in a state of nudity, and as
she moved along the people would close their
blinds, the passers-by would turn aside, as in
the days of Coventry, until the startled,
helpless creature could reach u place of
safety and concealment or secure attire.
All this, however, is a record of the recent
past brigandage which no longer thrives
along the Pacific coast. You can travel
through Mexico, from this busy little town
of San Bias, up the mountains and across the
plains to Mexico city, and you will not be
harmed. The country is quiet, the govern
g is supreme. Lawand order lave taken
the place Of pillage and rapine, and Mexico
begins to feel the greatness that is within her.
This regeneration has not been accomplished
without effort and without possible injustice,
but it has been accomplished, and perhaps
the end j~ustifies the means.
Gen. Martinez, a member of the cabinet
family of niaz, and a close personal friend of
the president, undertook the mighty task,
f>and was given unlimited power. He sur
rounded himself with a troop OF cavalry, the
very flower of Mexican soldiers. They were
e magnificent set Of men, full Of physical
J Wery-d daring, dashing and obedient. Led
Martinez, they would go anywhere, and
1T he declared should be done was done,
Nther it was right or wrong. With this
.<Oof braves he began his mission to purify
, e,,d, and he successfully carried out the
The treatment was heroic and terri
Z It the disease demanded it. Martinez
IN the malefactors was absolutely re-
'eless. He butchered them by the score.
the trees Of the highways he would
their bodies for the birds to peck at,
If a wretch was suspected Of so much as
ing a chicken his life paid tho forfeit,
put judge or jury. His %watchword
l5.6 ed to be, "Better u hundreG~hnnocent
IS suffer than one guilty men escape"
s&& lhe ~inaugurated q reign of terror for
yes SO awful that humanity shuddered at
y legalized wholesale murders. Today the
w name Of Martinez sends a chill to the
>of the evil doer, WHO feels that robbery
~seecoueaath are synonymous. And SO it has
'ne 70 pass that within half a dozen years
aato is safe for the traveller, safe for cap
n:S9and for womanhood, and ready for the
fnarch Of improvement.
It 80 happened that l met Gen. Martinez
7 and Travelled with him for three days. A
Stout, black bearded man, with a restless,