Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1911-07-14
Among the Mexican
Revolutionists
-F->-t
By EDWIN v. CHASE:
Copyright by American Press AeSo.
-. citation, 1911.


government. In order that l might
be properly armed with an introduce
ton to whomsoever | needed to con-
suit was given letter addressed ITO
whom 1t may concern stating that l
was an official of the United States
sent to Mexico to gather information
on the political condition. Of the
country that would serve as a basis
for any action the government might
take in the premises.
Since an American was liable to be
hated and suspected. especially by the
revolutionists. had no desire to fall
into their hands with such q docu-
ment on my person. l had asked to
have it written on thin paper and &C.
cupyfng no great space in order that
might the better conceal it in case of
necessity. thought over many places
of keeping it. but finally decided to
put it in one of the little chest pockets
Of my waistcoat
l entered the state or province of
Chihuahua. which was in the hands
Of the revolutionists. pretending to ia
vor their cause. After learning all l
could in this district entered the
next on the east. Coahuila. which l
found neither in the possession Of the
Mexican government nor the rebels,
but in state of anarchy. Falling into
the hands Of small band of insur-
rectos. was arrested as an American
resident and spy. managed to save
my neck by confessing that l was in
| the secret service not of the United
States government, but of Madero.
This secured me excellent treatment,
and was suffered to depart for Nuevo
Leon. the next eastern province and
in the hands Of the Diaz forces. In
this province is Monterey, where the
battle Of that name was fought dur
ing our war with Mexico.
At Monterey presented my letter to
whomsoever l thought would aid me
and received information that was at
least reliable. From Monterey, NOV
ing southwark. entered San Luis Po-
/ tosi, in the same state of disorder as
Coahuila. Here l was in constant
dread Of being known or considered as
spy Of the United States government
by rowing bands of insurrectos. z:
Entering the house Of a leader Of
| one Of these bands: l found it neces-
sary to pretend to be an ardent rebel
sympathizer. This pleased Sfgnor Mo-
lima. in whose house was. and he
treated me royalty till along, came q
man whom I had met in Monterey.
This man was a rebel and evidently
remembered me and that was, when
he first met me, consorting with the
Diaz people. -:
Outwardly Molina did not change
his treatment of me except to be more
scrupulously polite. but I knew l was
under suspicion. and this in a prov
ince where there was no law was dan
gerous. At any rate, felt that if the
! letter l bore were found l would be
treated as spy on the revolutionary
forces and according to the fancy of
those in whose hands I happened to
be.
told Molina that thought would
go on. but he invited me to remain
longer with him in such pressing
terms that knew he would not suffer
! me to depart without being better sat-
fsf1ed concerning me. began to con-
slider myself in great danger. If the
letter l carried were found on me
would surely be considered as a spy
on the movements of the revolution
lists.
tried to get rid Of Molina long
enough to destroy it. but he would not
suffer me to 90 out Of his sight. Not
caring to let him see that I understood
his purpose. made no opposition to
his keeping me with him.
Realizing that l was in for a serious
business, concluded to play a bold
game. ! began to tell my jailer host
real or imaginary happenings to con-
vince him that was not only a SYM
pathizer with the revolution, but was
engaged in secret service work for the
revolutionists. Such information as
could give him without breach Of con-
fdence concerning the government
forces | told him as great secret.
The ruse evidently had no effect upon
him.
Indeed. it seemed to make him all
the more suspicious of me- At last,
throwing off all disguise, he looked me
steadily in the eye and said: "Who
you are don't know. except that you
are an American. and the Americans
who live here we hate. One thing*I
know-you have been at Monterey |
hand in glove with the Diaz forces"
l laughed outright. "Of course L
have been hand in glove with them.
Why should I not have been? How
can get their secrets without first
gaining their confidence? Come, ST.
gnor Molina. let us have smoke"
Producing cigar, l handed it to
him. He accepted it. and for the mo-
ment had restored confidence. "Have
you a match?" l asked. He had not a
match. If he had should have been
IL e.