The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1907-05-03
TERROR RilEi::iiGGNiS.
District Of s'na'oa "a i Durango
0verrun by Thieves.
MEXICAN BRIGANDS.

Murder and Robbery Spread Terror
Among the People. Two Rcgi-
ments Of RuraIes Are In Pursuit
And Have Killed Several Bandit
Leaders. Reign OF Outlawry is
Without n Modern Precedent.
The mountainous sections of the
states Of Durango and Sinaloa, Mex
leo, are overrun with bands of bri-
gands. The entire territory is in a
state of terror. Brigandage has al
ways prevailed to some entent in the
mountains lying between Duango and
the Pacific port of Mazatlan. The
present outbreak of outlawry is the
worst the country has known since
the days following the last bloody
strife, when little attempt was made
at preserving law and order. The
portion Of the territory where the
brigands are operating is rs miles
wide and more than 200 miles long.
Not less than nine bands of brigands
are active in this territory and tray
ell is absolutely dangerous. Ranch
men and p%eaceable settlers are terror
stricken.
WAR OF DIFFERENTIATION.
There are no two full regiments of
rurales working in the turbulent
territory. under orders from Presi-
dent Diaz to show no quater to the
bandits when they are captured.
They are engaged in a war of exter-
mination, but with not much appar-
ent success. Many of the brigands
have been killed but others seem
ready to take their places as soon as
they fall. The bandits are merciless
with the rurales. A few days ago
they found six of the troopers sleep
ing and killed them before they could
reach their guns. Many of the ru
rales e banditti at one time
themselves, and, for this reason
know the ways and the Kidding
places of the men they are pursuing.
They arc relentless in the perfor-
nance Of their duty.
BRIGANDS QUICK TO KILL.
The number of murders and rob.
berries that have been committed
during the last three months viii,
never be known. The brigands are
not slow to kill, when any resistance
is made to their attempts at robbery
In some instances whole families
have been wiped out of existence.
Encounters between the rurales and
banditti are almost of daily occur
renee. Several of the bandit leaders
have been killed. Among others
P%orffrio b. Obaso, one of the most
notorious. He was overtaken and
killed while planning a raid at Con
itaca. In the same encounter three
of his followers were killed and two
rurales wounded. Gerardo Nunez
is another bold bandit leader, who
was recently captured and killed
lie had raided a ranch within Sc
miles of Durango, carrying away
$1,000 in money and valuables.
DESPERATE PROTECTS WOMAN.
Juan Longorio is at the head of a
band of brigands that is operating
in the Cosala district. He has been
working for the past three years,
and has raided many ranches. One
thing he will not do is allow a wo.
man to be hurt. He will order eX-
ecution of men, if they resist, but
a woman can leave her premises and
take all she wishes with her. Lon.
gorio has been known to leave fooC
and supplies at the homes of poo,
women, which he has visited. Ere
quently these materials have beer
found to be plumber he has taker
from a nearby ranch or home of {
rich planter OF miner. The rurales
have been in pursuit, but seem to be
unable to capture him. He has sc
worked himself into the good grace:
of the women that they will protect
him and his men when they are be-
ing hard pressed.