The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-03-11
MONEY on LIFE.
GEN. VILLA PLAYS HIGHWANMAN
On BIG SCALE.
Holds Luis TcITaIas, Jr.. for SOC. 900
Pcsos RansOm---Says He Will BE
ShO; il The Money j., Not l'OrthcCm-
ing i'm Five DAYS.

FL Paso. Texas, March 5.--Gcn.
Luis Terrazas this afternoon appeal
ed to Marion LctChcr. American con-
sui at Chihuahua, now in this city
awaiting instructions, to save his son,
whose life has been made the forfeit
ii 100000 pesos ransom m, ney is not
paid over to Gen. Francisco villa, the
rebel leader.
Consul Lctcher declared himself
deeply moved by the appeal Of the
octogenarian head of the great Mex
lean family, whose wide possessions
have been confscated by the consti-
tutionalists, but he had to reply that
he was helpless in the matter
Il am so years old and neither
life or money mean much to me-"
said Gen. Terrazas, with tremor in
his voice. MY son, Luis. has 13
children and they need him. 1 would
gladly return to Chihuahua and Villa
could kill me instead of my son."
While Gen. Terrazas did not say
as much, the interview left the i'm
preston that he is not now in pos
session OF the sum demanded. Luis,
the son. is about SO years old and for
several months has been held prison
er by the rebels.
At the time Of his arrest the rebels
demanded $650,000 gold as the price
Of his life. This sum was slow in be-
ing paid and Luis was taken out and
a moose adjusted about his neck. Then
he was gently hoisted from his feet.
The torture was repeated until he
Hignaled that he would pay the sum
demanded--all that he had in the
Chihuahua bank.
After this incident he was removed
from the palace where he had been
confined and allowed to live under
guard with hs family In one Of his
fathers houses. Women relatives
Some time later appealed to Villa to
release him but Villa was adamant.
If the Cientiicos had Pancho Villa
a prisoner IN the same circumstances,
do you think he would be restrained
in a palace and treated with the con-
sideration / have shown Don Luis?"
villa replied.
80; Pancho Villas head would
have been placed on a spike and pa
radcd about the city. The Terrazas
family has accumulated its great
wealth through oppression Of the
people and nov tie people demand
r"paration.'
Gen. Tcryazas lcft Consul Letchers
room and appeared in the hotel lob
by visibly shaken. His beard is white
and his figure below the medium tIt
walks with . cane but crect!y.
He was surrounded by friends and
relatives on whose faces anxiety tur
the son and pity fcr thc father were
plainly written.
Bryan was suggested, but the old man
only shook his head. The appeal.
however, may be made. unless it is
poSs. bic to raise the ransom money.
The great bulk Of the Terrazas for
tune, normally estimated at $40, 0,000,-
600 gold. was tied up by the contsca-
zion order and most Of the money
available in foreign countries has
been spent in the last three years.
1t was said tonight that the most
serious obstacle in the way of set
tlement of the matter is Villas re-
fusal to allow Don Luis to leave Mex
leo after the money is paid.
Gen. Terrazas in replying to Villa
made payment OF the money contin-
gent on his son being brought to the
centre of the international bridge
here while the sum was changing
hands.
This villa fatty declined to do. Gen.
Terrazas regards any other arrange
ments as folly. as his son. doubtless,
he thinks would be used merely as
a means of further extortion.
Villas messenger to Gen. Tarrazas
said the money must be paid within
Ave days or Don Luis will be killed.
The five days will expire tomorrow,
but II is thought by refugees that
Villas desire for the money despite
his enemity towards the Terrazas fam
lily will persuade him to delay ex-
tremc measures pending further ne
gotiations. which were suggested to
him in telegrams today.
UNEMPLOYED ARMY ROUTED.