The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1911-04-22

OF Parrel This is one o. the Oldest
towns on this continent n was found
ed at least $50 years AGO. and has be
tween 5000 and 7.o00 Inhabitants. 70
is hard 10 count them. because the
people are like rabbits in their bur
rOWs
The insurgents held the town. anc
the federal soldiers approached. They
sent word 70 the insurgents 20 give
Up because they would be beaten any
how. The insurgents held q good Do
sitiOn. and could have maintained il.
but they got cold feet and started 20
retreat The federal troops came On.
and the fighting began in the streets
in the morning.
Il lasted all day, and By night the
insurgents had been driven from the
town But il wasn't fighting. A Tex
as oow-puncher Of the same name IS
myself. and I. watched Il from q roof.
but We were careful to keep pretty
vel under cover. They fired all dsv.
about $500 rounds. but al night the
Official count was eleven dead
think there we're fifteen o. twenty
killed-yOu can't tell in those battles
how many are hit
An American named LAYTON. who
had lived in the country . long while,
and should have known enough to
keep out Of the way vas shot in the
neck, the bullet almost tearing his
head Of Another American was
twice shot. while watching operations
from the roof Of an hotel
The federal troops said he was hit
By spent bullets. or some that had
glanced from q vail But there was
no chance Of that He was shot in
tentiOnauy while on the roof The
fedeTals viii take a pot shot at an
American every time they get
chance when there is a battle on
and then blame IT TO a spent bullet
This man got well, believe. but
LaEtOn laid in the street We went
out 20 pick him mp and give him
decent burial. but the government
troops would not let Us touch him
He laid there all night, and some one
stole his clothes and shoes. We ask
ed for permission to bury him, but
they would not grant #, and he was
carted OF in a wagon with a dozen
poems. and buried in q big hole with
the others. We think we know where
be vas buried. but are not certain
OF course, that sort Of business
made me sore. and intended to get
evidence and take It up with the prop
er authorities I took a picture OF
LaEton lying there, without HIS
clothes and with his head almost shot
on, and intended to bring it through
But the Government heard that had
the picture and took the film. together
with a lot Of other films I had eK-
posed when the battle was on NOy
only was the film taken. but l was
warned to keep my mouth shut and
not say anything about the death OF
the American when got back to this
country.
The other American named Watts, =
Texas cowboy. wasn't going to stand
for that sort Of thing" even after
their warning. and after the film was
taken. He was a real Texan, AMI
wanted to clean up the whole bunch
by himself"
He started and nearly got me into
serious trouble as a result Of our
names being the same. OF course,
being a Texan myself, was not far
behind him. but / was a little cooler,
and did not want TO go through with
II against those odds.
Fighting may be a joke in Mexico.
but an arrest IS not
In Mexico when they arrest you I'M
der martial law. they tell you that
you can have a trial in eight days. But
you can lie in Jail for eighty days
and never get a chance. They tell
you they will be fair and reasonable,
but the only kind Of reason they give
you is a stone wall and a handker-
chief over your eyes, and some steel
iacketed 5000" bullets.
After the battle Of Parral there was
fighting in that vicinity each day and
night.
You could hear the rifles cracking
all day and see the flashes in the foot
hills at night The town is twenty
one days by pack mule from the near
est railroad, and the trail goes
through a pass 1900 feet high. The
mine where ] was az work was seven
miles from the town You know, a man
can't work all day and then 90 10 bed