New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-01-02
AMERICANS IN FIGHT.
OnlY .Sir Said to Have On
DOsfd ZeIau0.

Biuehelds. Nicaragua, Dec. % fVia New
Orleans, Jan. 1l.--of real Americans there
Rave been handful in the ranks of the
PROFESSIONALS So far. and these have acquit
ted themselves with credit. Many in the
fight have claimed American citizenship for
the protection it affords. but investigation
has shown that this claim Is TOO remote 10
be seriously considered
So far as ascertained at present. there
we're only six who came from the United
States 10 BIueheld 70 aid the revolt against
Zelaya. These were Ralph Lees. of New
Orleans: Matthew Finnegan. of Denver,
Philippine veteran; G. R. Fowler, of Texas,
and late OF the Philippines; Pat" Dolan.
who hailed many years ago from Nebras-
ka Phil" Craven, a trick pistol shot who
for fifteen years was demonstration for one
OF the worlds best known arms manufactur-
ers. and Gabriel Conrad Of New iberia, La,
who has medal for aiding the English
against the Beers, and who before that
chased the Apache Kid with the Western
regulars some twelve or fifteen years ago.
To these may be added James Bransfield,
said 10 have been member CT the Panama
consta bulary, and the only foreigner wound
ed al Recreo, and James Edwards. an
American, who has been lons in Central
America.
Bransfeld is OF the opinion that ne was
shot first by excited natives among his own
men, but at the hospital established by
Captain Shipley. where BranSfieId was sue
cessfully cared for it is believed from the
nature of his wounds that he was in the
line OF a small calibre automatic. Several
small wounds all close together in his right
leg seemingly indicate that he stood in the
line OF the guns sweep and received three
bullets before the sweep Of the gun passed
him
ZELAYANS SPARE AMERICAN
While the combat generally seems TO have
been, proportionately TO the men engaged.
one OF the most bloody in history. scattered
squads of enemies met each other without
engaging. Bransfeld. for instance, was
passed by a number Of Zelayans who
seemed content 10 spare his life, seeing that
he was incapacitated.
Finnegans story is simple. He Msged a
rifle. with some nifty natives. through eight
miles OF knee deep blue clay and bushes.
over fallen trees and under them. flea hit
ten, ant bitten, mosquito bitten, foodlesx
and tired, only 10 miss the battle. The ma
tive guide lnstock creek running into the
Sequia River for one running into the
Nico, very easy error TO fall into, and
When night fell, in retracing their steps
T'innegan and the others became separated
in the jungle. The Denver adventurer. how
ever, captured Zelayan who. in his starry
ing condition. WAS glad 10 be a prisoner
and made a guide of him back 10 the bass
AZ Rama. The Zelayan IS a good Estrads
man now. and Finnagan has promised %
get him job. They are the best os friends
Craven by preference uses 4 big shooter
more common generation ago than now
Charge OF q rapid hrer was given him. hut
being unable 70 keep the bearers OF the
various parts. barrel, tripod and cartridges
anywhere near each other. he gave up the
artillery job and went 90 work with his pis.
toll II is related 10 his credit that al
though lie handled this arm with an expAr,
ness seldom seen. he never killed his man
Most OF them he shot in the trigger ham,
as generally that was all that was Visible
ahtye the cover TAKEN,
Uses OLD STYLE Gun.
Craven does not use the trlszer Of CTS
nistol, but shoots on the draw from his hi,
b. snsgslHs caek the hammer. yn.s &c.