The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1912-04-30
CRUELTY STORI5
OF REFUGEES
Related by Parties Who Have
Left Mexico.
LOST EVERY POSSESSION
Persons Arriving at Galveston Sa
Mediation Is Proper and Assert
the United States Should Have
Acted a Long Time Ago.

Forty seven passengers, all but one
citizens of the United States, arrived
at Galveston on the steamer Texas
from Vera Cruz. All are unanimous
In the statement that the United States
government has erred in not interyen-
ing in Mexico long ago. Stories they
tell of the torture and assassinations
of Americans in that republic, eveu in
the shadows of the caditol building
at the City of Mexico, are like re-
hearsals of the dark ages.
All of the refugees left their lands,
homes, furniture and every thing else
they possessed except enough money
for their passage and the clothes upon
their backs, there being among the
entire number only few TRUNKS.
M. 81. Ish tells of the murder of an
American named Wait. Mr.. Wait
was neighbor to me-" his said. He
hsd sold several head of cattle and
hid the money where the Mexicans
could not find it. A band of despera-
does went to his hacienda and called
for money and failing to secure any
deliberately beheaded him with their
machetes, herded his cattle together
and drove them off. There are dozens
of instances just like this. ...
I'VE lived in little settlement that
eleven American families had founded
and called the town Sanburn. Each
family is here in Galveston. We left
because we were afraid to stay longer,
knowing that we would be killed or
tortured in the end. 7 am sixty four
years old. I went to Mexico one year
ago, put all the money I had Isl, $500
in land improvements and on arriving
at Galveston l had only these (show-
ing two hands) and the suit upon my
back
Before leaving we filed our claims
for damages with the American consul
in the City of Mexico and left every
thing behind.
John T. MCGEE. a wealthy planter
when he went to Mexico two years or
more ago, was among the passengers
on board the Texas, returning minus
500, 600 and leaving behind valuable
land, cattle. livestock and colonies of
bees. He tells of cruelties practiced
on an American woman who is now q
patient in a hospital at the City of
Mexico. bandits visited the home
of Mr.. Shay, neighbor of mine, "Mr.
McGee said, and demanded money
and guns. He gave them about s12
and one gun, saying that was all he
had on the place.
Bandits left. but on going to an
other neighboring ranch a Mexican
helper told them Shay had .mucho di-
nero and four or more guns on the
place. Back to Shay's went the men
and demanded more money and arms
Not being given the money and guns
they took Mrs. Shay, tied her down
and beat her feet. Shay and his son
gathered up the other four guns and
gave them and $500 to thedesperadoes,
who after final beating of the woman
left the place. Mrs. Shay's feet were
literally beaten to pieces. At the hos
pital it was found every bone had
been broken and she is in a serious
condition.
What is true of the Shay family is
true Of scores of other American fam
lilies. Bandits are everywhere and the
Mexican government is unable to
control them. There Is no business
going on in the republic. -