Imperial Valley press., 1913-12-15
Stories from the
Border Inspectors
(By United Press Associations

| san ANTONIO, 1eXaS., Dec. ID
When the public read brief dispatch
from Washington to the effect that
the administration has forbidden the
shipment of arms and ammunition to
both Mexican federals and rebels, it
takes it for granted that the ship
ments cease forthwith. But they do
not. For this reason the troops,
guards and inspectors along the Rio
Grande have thrilling experiences that
the public never hears OF. Both sides
in Mexico are continually trying to
smuggle munitions of war over the
line. Sometimes they succeed but
thanks to ever watchful eyes more Of
ten they do not.
Smuggling has become an art. Few
realize what ingenious methods and
careful concealed plans are used to
frustrate guards along the line. The
keenness of Sherlock Holmes would
be taxed and tried. The United States
officials at the border daily learn of
some new piece of strategy by which
smugglers try to thwart them and
carry across the river arms without
discovery. Some of these discoveries
are oddly mixed with comedy and
tragedy.
Not long ago an innocent looking
trunk was sent through Ell Paso to
'Mary Smith" at Chihuahua. 1t was
ed as if it might belong to some plain
country girl But the officials were
suspicious and decided to see what
Mary" was carrying in the weather
beaten trunk. On top was some plain
dresses. The officials felt rather
ashamed for breaking into Mary's
trunk. The dresses were lifted, dis
closing a score Of ammunition boxes,
all filled with cartridges. What would
Mary want with SO many deadly cart
ridges? She might get hurt. So the
officials appropriated the ammunition
and doubtless "Mary" has been Won
dering what became of her belong
ings.
Still later another trunk, this one &
ponderous affair, was noted at the
custom house at Eagle Pass. 1t con-
tanned only dolls and was on its way
to the City of Mexico. The officials
investigated and found that the trunk
was declared properly as many dolls
were seen in its interior. There were
dolls of all kinds and one of the in
spectors, who has a little girl who
owns doll, wondered at the heaviness
of these dolls in the trunk. The one
at his home was light affair. None
of the other men ever handled dolls,
so the weight meant nothing 10 them,
| The officials said it would be shame
to stop this shipment and deprive the
little Mexican girls of their dolls so
they decided to let them CO.
"Wait moment" said the inspec-
tor, who was experienced. lie rlpped
open one doll with a knife. 1t was
stuffed with powder The entire ship
ment was then ripped up and the dolls
were found to carry not only powder,
but balls and cartridges as well. Ship
ping of rifles, of course, is more DIFF
ficult, owing to their size. Some have
been shipped to the border in cofflns,
some in double-bottomed boxes that
carry provisions in the top divisions:
some have been sent in lead water
pipes whose ends have been closed up.
The discovery of these frauds IS usual
ly the merest accident.
"Ranching is a favorite plan of the
smugglers. They arrange to have
shipped to them at some small bord-
er town provisions for their ranches
supposed to be located some distance
from town. 1t is easy to pretend you
are a rancher in country where
everyone else is a rancher. SO in
barrels of flour, boxes of meat and
canned goods are hidden all manner of
war supplies for both federals and reb
els. They are taken in wagons to the
"ranch" then over the line, unless
detected A few days ago at Ham,
mond on the Southern Pacific, a big
covered wagon drew up at the station.
A large road-shouldered, bronzed
man jumped out of the wagon and en-
tered the station. He certainly looked
like a rancher. He asked of the agent
HAS that shipment of ten barrels OF
flour arrived for me yet? Here are
the bills of lading." The barrels had
arrived only shortly before and were
in the freight room. The agent found
everything regular and his suspicious
were not aroused He turned the ship
ment over to the rancher who con-
stantly talked of cattle, grass and
horses.
Branching close by, I guess?" in
quired the agent. "You guessed right
llTSC lllile, Sotlu tIS DloiIHCu iie'h'
"Folks down your way go in for white
bread pretty strong, don't they?"
The rancher smiled, "Oh, we have to
take what we can get,' he replied.
"Seems to me this flour is mighty
heavy" asserted the agent as he help
ed load it into the wagon. "Sure,"
: responded the rancher. "It's made of
hard wheat"
Several hours later mounted Unit
, ed States inspector was riding along
the trail few hundred yards north of
the Rio Grande. Suddenly he caught
sight of the canvas-covered wagon
Knowing from experience that it pays
to be on guard every time you meet
a person along the border, the inspec-
, tor prepared his gun for instant use.
Then he approached the wagon and
found near it the bronzed American
and a Mexican eating, at camp fire.
The Inspector was within a few feet
of them before being discovered.
: "Well, where did you spring from?"
exclaimed the American. "This is my