The Washington herald., 1913-09-13
DRIVEN OUT BY
MEXICAN BANDITS
Young German Forced to
Abandon His Big Lead
and Zinc Mine.
ARRIVES HERE PENNILESS
Shot in Leg During Flight He Spent
Day and a Half in Tree to
Elude Pursuers.

Forced by increasing lawlessness and
disorder to abandon his big lead and
zinc mine in northwestern. Mexico, Ernst
Freihur Won Gersdorffe, a German min
ing engineer, has reached Washington in
a penniless condition, after months OF
weary journeying, bringing with him a
story Of thrilling adventure.
He came to the Capital for the purpose
of securing aid from the German En-
bassy, but TO his disappointment, upon
arrival here Thursday morning. he learn
ed that the Ambassador and his stan
were out of the city. Yesterday he sent
letters to the summer residence of the
Ambassador and to the German consul
at Baltimore. In the meantime. he is
seeking employment, as he is absolutely
without funds. This morning he in
tends to call at the State Department TO
learn II any assistance can be rendered
him.
Mr.. Won Gersdorffe said that disorder
in Northwestern Mexico was general
that property was being destroyed, that
lives were being taken, and that herds
of cattle were being stolen.
AT the time 1 left Mexico lawlessness
was prevalent on every hand, he said
last night. DAY after day and night
after night our mine was attacked by
ln6 MtNlCdllSt IL was libpeSSADAS AOA
us to hold out very long. Many of our
men were killed: our cattle were stolen;
our property was damaged. 1t was iIp-
possible to tell what the party afhlia-
tIons of the marauders were. They were
nothing more or less than merciless
bandits"
Forced to Abandon Property.
The engineer explained that the aban-
- randarad ahSO-
lutely necessary by the growing lawless-
ness of the bandits. He would not dis
cuss in detail President Wilson's policy,
but the general tendency OF his remarks
made Il evident that he is in favor OF in
tervention to put an end to the disorder.
He said that Mexico had many very valu-
able mines which would be a source OF
wealth to the United States IL American
engineers were afforded ample protection.
Mr.. Won Gersdorffe was born in Berlin.
but came to the United States about six
years ago. He studied at Harvard for
about a year and a half, specializing in
mine engineering, and later worked in
the coal mines OF Kansas and Missouri.
Three years ago he went to Mexico with
his brother, Paul and they bought 80
acres of land in the northwestern section
Of the country, at the foot of the Tarahu-
mare Mountains. between Pisqueria and
Soyopa. The mine was near the YaQui
River.
Last May conditions became very
dangerous" he said. We employed 30
men at the mine-Germdns, Scotchmen.
Irishmen, and Hungarians-and fifty had
to be kept on guard all the time. 1t
was necessary to pay these men as high
as SO and Sl2 a day to keep them at the
place. In June conditions grew so peri
Ious that my brother left for the States
with his wife and children. I have not
heard of them since, as there is ptacti-
cally no delivery of mails in Mexico.
Cattle and Sheep stolen.
''The mine was purchased three years
ago for S36,OOO. 1t had a capacity of from
40 to $50 tons day. The mine represent
ed an investment Of about 10000 in ma
chinery. and there were two automobile
trucks, valued at 1880 each. In addition
TO the mine, we had 200 cattle and 500
sheep. These animals were killed OF and
stolen gradually until toward the latter
part of July there were only a score or
so left
AS conditions got worse the employees
began to grow weary, and one by one
they left the mine, until finally mere
handful remained. 1 realized that the
force was becoming too small to cope
with the Mexicans, and reached the con-
clusion that flight was the only feasible
course Toward the end OF July We
wrapped the machinery in oilcloth and
tar paper and buried it The remaining
twenty employees aided me in the work,
and then we started for Babiacora, forty
miles distant.
ION the way We were attacked by
bandits, and four of our number were
killed. Then We struck out on horse
back for Suaqui. thirty-ive miles away.
While en- route we were attacked by a
party of $50 bandits, and in the fight that
ensued six of our party were killed. l
was shot in the left leg, but the wound
was only a minor one and caused me
no great inconvenience.
II became separated from my COM
rades during the encounter, and was
forced to continue the journey on horse
back alone. 1 rode twenty-five miles to
town called Imuris, up in the noun
tains. Seeing MeXicans in the distance,
1 turned my horse loose and climbed
to the top of a tree. where remained for
day and a half.
Hungry and thirsty walked twenty
miles to Magdalene. While passing up
one Of the narrow streets 1 was attacked
by a party of six or seven bandits, who
beat me into insensibility and stripped
me of everything except my under
clothes. When 1 regained consciousness
I saw a light in the distance, and COM
ing upon little farmhouse, was given
some old clothes.
81 then walked forty miles to Nogales,
eating nothing but fruit found along
the way. In Nogales / met several
Americans, who were good enough to
give me some of their clothes and suffi-
cient money to get to Dallas. My
troubles were so numerous that I did
not reach the Texas city until Septem-
Der 5. In Dallas I met a couple of
Americans, who gave me enough money
to bring me to Washington"
Mr.. Won Gersdorffe speaks English with
a decided German accent. He is fine
looking and well built, and dresses