The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-12-31
Holdups and Robberies Matter
Of Form in Mexico.
Topeka Visitor Tells of Condi.
lions in South.
FEAR SERVICE IN THE ARMY
Mexicans WIN Work Rather
Than Go to War.
Experiences of w. M, Sturxes,
Formerly Of Topeka.

] Holdus and robberies are social at
fairs. or rather the people Of Mexico
make them social affairs. according to
w. M. Sturges, q former Topeka boy
but who Is now connected with the
Gulf Coast Fruit and Steamship COM
pany, having charge of a banana plan
tation of $4,000 acres in the state Of
Vera Cruz. Mr.. Sturges is visiting rel
| atives here.
Il have been robbed several times
put no one has ever attempted to do me
bodily harm,"' he continued. "One
time seven or eight men visited me
when was alone in the house. When
went to the door and saw them I
knew what they wanted and invited
| them into the house. They sat down
and we talked and had music. Part Of
| the time I did the playing. When Il
came time for them to go, the leader
| informed me that he wanted money,
arms and ammunition.
Il had a shotgun, rifle, a revolver
and 800 in the house. I told the leader
1 would willingly divide my money
with him. and counted it out before
him. He consented to take half and
leave me half. did not care much
| about the rifle or the revolver. but I
wanted my shotgun, but the leader Of
the band had taken a. fancy to it.
talked him out of taking it. L was
wearing a watch with a Shriner's
| charm. This caught the fellows eye
He insisted upon having the watch
and charm. gave 1T to him, and he
put IL in his pocket. and then told him
how much valued 1t. and he returned
| it to me.
Federals Are in Control.
There are really no revolutionary
troubles in either Vera Cruz or To-
| basco states. The federals are in alb
| solute control. OF course there is con-
siderable plundering and robbing by
| irresponsible men travelling in gangs
Il had some trouble when first took
charge OF the plantation in getting men
| to work. learned that they were stay
| Ing In the tungles az much out OF fear
lean army, as they were from dislike of
work. explained the situation to the
| Jefe pOlitico,' and then went back and
told some OF my men to tell the 9TH
ers in hiding that all men who reported
| for work in the morning would not be
| names Of all those who failed to APP
pear would be given to the rurales and
the rura1es wouldround them I'D and
take them to Mstteo City for army
There were eleven men who did
, not show up for work. The soldiers
rounded them up and started them to
Mexico City as volunteers The Mon
day after the first, Sunday, of course.
some failed to report for work. as
|
drunk Sunday. I sent word to the
soldiers and seven more men were
made volunteers in the army. The
next week only one man failed to re-
port for work. We pay the men $1.25
in Mexican money per day"
! The Gulf Coast Fruit and Steam
| ship company. in which Mr.. Sturges is
| interested, has been organized less
| than two years, but is meeting with
| success. The Filiso1a plantation and
| the Tabasquenia plantation, on the
Uspanapa river, int the state of Vera
Cruz, have q combined acreage of
! 1850. Three fruiters are operated
by the company and ply between Gal
weston. Tampico. Vera Cruz and the
| plantation. The same ocean-going YES
sells go up the river to the planta-
ton. and not even an artificial dock is
used in loading or discharging car
goes. as the bank of the river serves
the purpose.
A week ago Mr.. Sturges was on
board one of his boats and when $50
miles from Tampico sent a wireless
to Admiral Fletcher. in. charge of tho
American fleet off Tampico, offering
to take aboard any refugees that
might be seeking passage to the
United States The admiral replied
that apparently provision had been
made for all foreigners, and that con-
ditions were quiet in Tampico.