New-York tribune., 1911-01-30
REBELS TAKE MEX|CALl
Border Town in Lower California
Captured by Insurgents.
AMERICAN GIRL MURDERED
Outrages by Bandits Near Casas
Grandes-Victories in
Vera Cruz.

Msxican. Lower California Mexico jan
29.-Mexicali. the first border town IN NICK
leo 10 be captured by rebels, was taken
With little resistance early to-day IHe
only man killed was the jailor, VINO WIS
shot when he refused TO set free his prls-
oners. The custom house was seized. re
Inducements are said 10 oe hockng 10 the
rebel standard from the surrounding coun-
try.
The capture OF the town is the first sign
Of activity Of the rebels on the western
coast Of Mexico. The move was a COM
plete surprise. Mexicsli is small to"''
inhabited chiefly by Mexlcans. 1t Is JUST
across the border from the American ci's
OF Caexico Gala II is situated on the I'M
peria Valley branch OF the Southern "a
cifc Railway. forty miles south OF I'M
perial Junction.
Two men were In command Of the repel
Invading party. IAyva appeared TO be
chief His aid was Simon Barthold' So
cialist agitator from California, known IN
Los Angeles and various coast cities.
Barthold and a party Of eight men ar
rived from Holtville Cal. last nisht ana
smuggIed a considerable amount or fire
arms across the border They were joined
during the night by the insurgents from
Mexlcali and vicinity, and at daylight
marched 10 the adobe jail, where seven
prisoners were confined.
These prisoners we're insurgents who had
been arrested on order OF the Mexican
government A demand was made on the
taller for the release OF the prisoners.
When he hestated a rifle in the hands OF
one Of the rebels was thrust through the
window and n shot rang out The )aher
| fell dead. The keys to the cells were taken
and the prisoners were liberated
Barthold and TWO Of his men went 10 the
| barracks ar the international line ana cap
| tured the few men there without a strus-
gle Leyva then marched on the customs
house and the sub-prefecture, which were
taken without resistance. Gustaye Ter
| razas gave over the keys. lie was taken
| into custody and kept under close guard.
During the forenoon the insurgents re-
/ ceived accessions 70 their ranks from
among the citizens Of MeMcaA ana tle
| native employees Of the neighboring ranches'
| During the forenoon the insurgents re-
/ ceived accessions 20 their ranks from
among the citizens Of Mexical and the ma
/ tive employees OF the neghboring ranches.
A correspondent was present wien tne
men were drawn up. Only eight OF the
rebels were mounted. Some were astrioe
| horses with saddles or brides, using only
| halters 10 guide their steeds. -Four "hl'e
men were in the group, having the appear
ance OF typical Western ranch hanus. All
/ ,ba roen were armed with rifles and small
arms and appeared TO have plenty OF am
munition.
Barthold talked freely 70 press repre-
sentative and said that to-day's movement
was only a small part Of prearralSeo
nlan for a general instruction. IL was III
| tended he said 10 take as rapidly as pos
! sible all the border and other towns OF I'M
nortance in Northwestern Mexico. Inc
! seizure of the custom house and border
barracks is particularly important TO he
| rahel movement. in that it may enable
/ them to smugge arms and aInHuh1Ciol
across he line. .
! Under direction OF Mr. Swing. Distrlct
/ Attorney of imperial County, CaL' sherlH
Meadows to-day issued orders closing tne
mort n entry at Calexico from Mexican.
Barthold says that he has three hundred
| insirrectos available FOR service. lie eN-
meets 10 reach the Mexican mainland across
! the Gulf of Mexico as soon as he mas Deen
| ioined by some insurgents from Ensenada-
! MANY Mexicah citizens moved 10 CaieXico
TO-DAY before the District Attorney issued
! the orders shutting off their entry.