The Washington times., 1907-04-10

DURANGO, Mexico, April Ie.-The
mountainous sections Of the states Of
Durango and Sinaloa are overrun with
bands Of brigands. This outbreak Of
outlawry Is the worst known since the
DAYS following the last internecine
strife of the people OF this country, when
conditions were disturbed and little at
tempt at preserving law and order vas
made.
Brigandage Always Prevails.
Brigandage has always prevailed 10
some extent in the mountains lying DC
tween Durango and the Pacific port Of
ATazatIan, and tie rough trail connect
ing these two cities has long had me
reputation Of being the most dangerous
70 travel In Mexico. No less than nine
bands of brigands are operating in the
region named. Ranchmen and peace
able settlers are in a state o. terror.
There are now two full regiments OF
ruraies operating in the turbulent terri
tory and they are showing the bandits
no mercy. Many OF the outlaws have
been killed during the last two Vveeks.
and others are BEING trailed into the
mountain Businesses. where they make
their rendezvous. Many members Of
the rtlrales were bandits IN former
wears ana they know all of the wiles
and desperate tactics OF that class. But,
more than this. they know the noun
tain trails and the hi5ing places OF the
outlaws and are able 10 give QUICK anu
effective pursuit when an outrage Il
committed
Shooting People Down.
A number of mining camps have been
raided by the brigands during the last
few weeks. People have been shot
down when any show Of resistance was
made and stores robbed Of money and
supplies, which were coolly carried away
anon the pack mules by the bold ban
dts.
The number of murders tsat have
been committed by the robbers during
the last few month"; will probably never
be publicly known. News has been re-
/ ceived here OF no less than twenty such
crimes at their hands. and these are
only a partial list Of their victims. On
some Of the remote ranches whole fam
| lies were murdered.
Porfrio Obaso's Band.
Encounters between parties OF rurales
and the banditti are of almost daily oe-
currence. Several OF the bandit leaders
have been killed in these ARRAYS re-
/ Gently. but IL seems that there are az
ways some ready to take their places
and there has yet been no decrease
shown in the outlawry- One Of the
most notorious Of these bandit chiefs
was Porfirio b. Obaso, who operated a.
4 the head of a select band of only threl
/ men They had committed many bold
( robberies and a number Of murders IN
the vicinity Of Conitaca and were SAID
TO be planning a raid upon that town
/ when they were overtaken by sinai
/ force of ruraies. Gb9so was shot through
the body and died on the spot.
Execution of Gerardo Nunez.
Gerardo Nunsz is 1nother bold bandi
leader who was recently captured anC
shot. He and his band recently attacked
the ranch Of Jesus Uranga Saenz at Ii
Estancia Blalca. situated within fifts
miles of Durango. They took Saenz and
ali OF his servants prisoners and bounS
them with ropes. Then they ransacket
the building and robbed the place o.
5000 in money and vainables.
A short time ago a band Of brigands
led by Jose Serna, made en- attack upog
/ a ranch near Tamazula. situated neal
the border line OF Durango and SinalOa
Serna was crossed Ia a love affair witt
/ a beautiful young lady Of the place ans
disposed OF his business and took refug.
in the mountains, where he surrounded
himself with a desperate gang Of cut
threats and became q professional ban
dit chief It IS reported that this bans