The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-09-12
BATTLE ON THE BORDER
FIGHT BETWEEN AMERICAN cow
BOYS AND MEXICAN GUARDS.
One on Both Sides Killed and Several
ed-Further Trouble Imminent.

BISBEE, A. T., Sept. 11.-Late Saturday
afternoon there occurred at Naco. a small
town on the International line nine miles
from here, a shooting ARRAY which has al
ready caused the death of one American
cowboy and a Mexican guard and the
woundng of several others and ultimately
in delivering over to the Mexican authori-
ties of four American citizens who will be
tried for murder.
Several weeks ago James Heron was ar
rested by Mexican line riders charged with
smuggling horses and was being taken by
guards to Nogales for a hearing. AT Naco,
Bob Clayton, friend of Herron's asked
permission to accompany him to Nogales.
The Mexican officers consented, but at the
same time notified Clayton that he would
have to disarm himself, giving him thirty
minutes to do so. When the time was up
the guards started toward Clayton, who
pulled his gun and commenced firing, at the
same time backing toward this side of the
line The guards. seven in number, re-
turned the fire, while two other cowboys.
one of whom was named France, came to
Clayton's rescue, who escaped to this side.
but received a bullet through his side, from
TIE effects of which he died here last night.
Captain Molina, of the Mexican guards.
was shot twice, once through the right
thigh and through the arm, neither of
which Is serious. France was arrested by
the guards and placed in jail, while the
other cowboy escaped. An hour and half
later three guards who started with Heron
to Nogales were overtaken by a party of
American cowboy friends of Heron, who
were bent on rescuing him. A lively fight
took place. resulting In the killing Of a
guard named Pedrogan and the wounding of
Manuel Rivera so severely that death is ex-
pected hourly. The third guard escaped to
the custom house, and securing help re-
turned and drove the cowboys across to this
side of the line, Heron refusing to come
back with his rescuers. but continuing on
to Nogales where he gave himself up. He
Cling than risk being taken by officers here,
who hold a warrant for him, he having
capped from the penitentiary in Oklahoma
after being sentenced for twenty-five years
for murder.
Late Saturday night cowboy named Lee
Ramsey. who conducted a saloon on the
ties, charged with being implicated in the
affair and is now in jail at Naco with
France. The cowboys. since the fight, have
been gathering horses and calling in their
friends. and are heavily arming themselves.
preparatory, IL is said. to attempt to
rescue Ramsey and France. There are now
in this city and at points near here and
Naco over fifty of them armed with Win
chesters and six-shooters.
The Mexican guards at Naco have been
reinforced by the addition of a body of
twenty-five cordados under Lieutenant
Colonel Kosterlitzky, and they now have an
armed force of nearly hundred men guard
ing the line and jail in which the Americans
are confined. Should the attempt at rescue
be made. most serious battle will result
as both parties are worked up TO fever heat
over the killings. The four cowboys who
attacked the guards in Sonora are well
known in this city. and are here tonight.
rot having been placed under arrest. Their
movements watched w
not be allowed TO leave the country Mex
lean Consul Gavito Is arranging matters at
hold them until the proper papers can be
arranged for.