The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1914-10-10
TALKS or LIFE
In VERA CRUZ
FORD. OF piLIoNvAIE,
HOME ON TAIRTY-DAY
FuRLOUGH.
10 Sailor on v. Q. g. Wyoming Dur
ING Mexican Trouble-Was Ae-
qusintsd With Henry Niekerson.


Howard FoIl. OF Dillonvaie, a
bugler on the U. S. s. Wyoming, re
turned to his home Thursday after a
three years absence to spend a thirty
day furlough. While at the depot In
Martins Ferry. he was interviewed b.
representative OF The Intelligencer,
and gave a very interesting view OF
the Mexican situation His ship was
at Vera Cruz. and they only left that
place September !. and returned to
the Brooklyn navy yard for targe-
practice. The Wyoming. New YORK
and Florida. will be In the navy ya.ds
Tor three months unless they are
called out again for active service
Ford stated that when they left Vera
Cruz everything was quiet, but since
returning. has learned that Villa and
Carranza has again stirred up trouble
and he stated that he thought that the
ships stin at the port would be called
upon TO preserve peace In case they
were needed.
When the Wyoming reached Vera
Cruz. the worst OF the fighting was
over. although Ford stated that they
gave several parades through the
town. but only on two occasions were
they attacked by the Mexicans, and
only few were injured and no one
was killed while he was IN Vera Cruz.
He stated that he had one OF the old
muskets In his trunk that was taken
along with 300 guns. in addition to a
dozen bugles when they captured
about 500 greasers. When asked how
the conditions Of health were in the
town at the present time. he stated
now In Vera Cruz than for some time,
as the United States soldiers soon
cleaned up the place after they ar
rived. He stated that when the sol
diers FIRST arrived. the place was
| hlthy. and nearly all of the crews OF
the ships were sick for several days
as the thermometers registered as
high as 40 degrees through the days,
but the nights were very cool
Knew Niekerson.
Ford stated that he knew Henry
Nickerson. OF Edgwood. the hero OF
Vera Cruz. who recently returned to
Pittsburgh TO take a position in the
recruiting office after his recovery
from the loss OF a leg, caused By a
sniper's bullet. He stated that Nick
erson was known throughout the navy
for his bravery at all times, anc all
OF the boys were sorry when they
learned that he was shot. Willie in
Vera Cruz. they were given four
hours liberty each day, which they
spent In going through the different
parts OF the city. The rest of the
time they had to remain on their ships
but stated that they all had a good
time while In the port.
When asked whether the Mexicaus
hold bitter feeling toward Ameri-
cans, he stated that IL would be un-
safe for an American TO 20 to Mexico
for several years as he thinks that the
Mexicans hold a grudge against
Americans in general. and said that
the greasers would just as leave stick
knife In them as to look AZ them.
ana they do not seem to realize the
good the American troops did in going
to Mexico. Ford said that n the hex.
leans had modern fighting arms and
were we'll trained there would not be
life left today for the amount of
fighting that has been done. but stat
ed that they were generally ignorant.
When the Wyoming left New York
they took provisions enough 20 last
them six months. but when they ar.
rived at vera Cruz they found that
the other ships were short Of pro
visions. and they gave part OF their
supply. till the supply ship between
Vera Cruz and New York got back
with Its cargo. For several days they
were compelled to purchase their sup
plies in Vera Cruz
This Is Ford's first time home since
enlisting. and. at the expiration ~ his
thirty-day furlough. will return to his
chip at the Brooklyn navy yard where
the ship IL stationed.