The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-24
Americans Were Murdered and One Woman
 Tortured
BOYCOTT PUT ON
 AMERICAN GOODS
Refugees Bitter in Denunciation of Madero Government = Brigand- age Is Rampant-American
 Woman Is Whipped

Galveston, Tex, April 23.-Stories of brigandage rampant. the murdering of Americans, indiRnlties to American won- on and the boycott of American goods Tn the state of Vera Cruz. Mexico, were related in details tonight 10 special den- uty collector Of customs, 4. J. Rosen- thai. by band of refugees. who arrived today from Mexico aboard tho steamer Texas The data secured by Mr. Rosen- | thai will be forwarded to Washington. l Madison H. lsh. former attorney of Omaha, Neb., and at one time quarter master in the United States army with the rank of captain, acted as leader of | the Americans in their flight to the United States. Mr lsh will proceed 10 Fort Crook to offer his services to the army, he says.
 l The refugees are vigorous in their de- nunciation of the Madero government made to protect American lives and in- terests. Before leaving sallna Cruz tho | party filed claims aggregating Sso.ae0 against the Mexican government with Lewis ". Haskell. American counsel,
 Left in Haste All the refugees left their homes and lands in haste Everything they possess- ed was abandoned except actual money for tickets.
 Among the entire number there are only four or five trunks
 Al M Ish was one of the refugees. Ills cattle were stolen. The bandits or ma- rauders took all his money The bandits demanded money first and live stock next. Failing in either they threatened to place his head on pike after decapitation. They drove off the cattle. Many instances like this was cited by other rerugees. There was a colony of II families, he said.
 Feared Torture
 We left Mr. 1sh said. because we knew all would be tortured or killed I am 6i. l went to Mexico year ago. I put everything in improvements, anu 1 have only my hands left and my clothes on my back. We filed claims with the l consul in Mexico Cify.r
 John Mckee, who went to Mexico two years ago, returned to America minus s2o,Vo0, and left behind him live stock. He tells of oruelties practieed on patients in Mexico. The bandits visited the home of MT. Shay, he sald about week ago. They demanded money and guns. the refugee added The man said $la was got ten.
 The band left, but returned to Shays place and demanded more money and arms after ringing the school bell without any response. Not getting anything they took Mrs. shay, tied her down and began beating her feet soles. Shay and his son. to stop the torturing process, gave four | eupn desperadoes, who after final whipping of the woman left the place.
 Mrs. Shay Badly Injured
 Mrs. Shay was badly injured and sine had to be carried to the hospital at Mex leo City, where it was found that nearly every bone in her feet had been broken. according to the passengers She is seri- ousy hurt
 What is true of the Shays is also true of scores of other Americans, according to the passengers, and by remaining in the place death was courted They all agreed to leave The Mexican govern ment is unable to quiet the bandits.
 Some of Inc passengers believe the Ma dero followers dislike the foreign elemen, and would rid themselves of them in he remote states.
 No Laws Enforced
 Hurdles are lax many declare, They enforce no laws, many asserted. Prae- tically every man aboard the craft had la narrative to relate Two men who rode horses into Vera cruz after leav- ing everything they possessed except their guns tell of meeting four armed bandits in a narrow pass on the way. The only reason we arrived safeiy is because we were lucky enough to beat them to our guns one said. Except in the city you find few peo- pie. another vouehsafed. and in many cases the headless bodies of ranch owners are left lying in the adobes The bandits are so scattered over the interior that to resist them is useless The Americans are giving up every thing to the bandits no matter how well armed they may be in groups Sandburn Is in the state Of Vera Cruz ls miles northwest of santa Lueretia. It is on the Vera Cruz and lsthmus rall- way, across the isthmus of Tehauntepec and is listed as railway and mall station.