The Washington times., 1914-04-30
VILLA MY BROTHER,
SAYS PASTOR YOUNG
Baltimore Pastor Declares Mex
lean Leader Was Born Near
Cambridge.

BALTIMORE, April So.-Idncho Nliid
the Mexican general, is an octoroon,
and was born near Cambridge, in Dor
chester county, Maryland. His real
name is Spencer Young. He enlisted
in the Ninth Cavalry, in 1889, under the
name of Spencer Meyer, the latter name
being the name of his mothers second
husband. He was educated in the pub
lie schools Of Baltimore, and lived in a
house on Twenty-first-and-a-Half street.
The above statement was made this
morning by the Rev. Alfred Young, of
6ls Dolphin street, pastor of Wheatcoat
Methodist Episcopal Church, gradu-
ate of Howard University, Washing
ton, who says he is n brother of the
famous general. Until eleven years ago,
about the time Villas mother, Phoebe
Meyer, died, Young corresponded With
his brother, who was then at Tuxpan.
The last letter he wrote to his brother
was returned unclaimed.
A gear afterward, according to the
Rev. Young. he talked with a soldier
named Johnson at EoUie, Md. who had
just come from Mexico. and was in
the same troop with his brother. John
son said that Meyer had changed his
wrote to his brother under this name
were returned.
Writes to Brother.
The Rev. Young wrote a letter 10 his
brother this morning ard addressed it
Gen Francisco Villa. Juarea, Mexico" 4"
His brother has an interest in several
houses that Young's mother owned IN
Baltimore, and he is very anxious to
Get word to him.
Possessing the same demeanor and
general characteristics as those de-
scribed to General Villa, the Rev. Young
reluctantly gave brief history of his,
his home.
I'VE were of a family of foar chill
drn,' said the Rev. DIR. Young. .Iand
were born on a plantation near Cam
bridge. My father was slave and ran
away on the day that he was to be
sold. We heard nothing more from
him. Ny grandfather Was white. nv
sister, Bessie, d:ed jus: before my
mother moved to Baltimore, in Janu-
AIRY, 1eG6. Ny brother and I entered the
public schools and completed the course
OF public instruction which was then
only to the sixth grade. The colored
students then had not been provided
with 4 high school.
From the time that i can remember,
my brother was fanatic on anything
relating to the militia.
Joined the Cavalry.
He would buy soldiers suits, read
everything he could lay his hands upon
regarding soldiers. and when the first
chance came for him to enlist he ac-
cepted it and JOINED the Ninth Cav
airy.
He was a worshipper OF George
Washington. and often made the re-
mark that he would go to some country
and be a second Washington. He was
exceedingly bright IN his studies, and
was quick to make friends with white
persons.
Soldiers who had served with him
told me that he was the finest soldier
they ever knew. His superior officers,
they said, credited him as being a mil
itary genius. The letters that l re-
dietoins for military career. like
Washington.
Johnson said that he was very popu-
lar among the Mexicans. and at that
time had offers from the Mexican army
OF a command as captain.
That was the last l heard Of him
until the present revolution began in
Mexico, and L saw his picture in the
paper. Not until a few days ago did
learn that perhaps / could reach
him at Juarez. i am writing a letter
there today"
Young has a son. DR.. II. E Young
who conducts a drug store at Druid
Hill avenue and Hoffman streets, this
city. All his relatives are we'll ed
ucated and well thought Of in the dis.
trict in which they live. The grand
children Of Young are nearly white in
color.
In 1868. Young was a waiter on the
steamer Highland Light. which blew VI
near Seven Foot Knoll. He was one
OF the three survivors. In 1S1, he
was steward on the Isaac p. Smith
which blew ur while anchored at a
wharf on Light street. Young still
carries large scar on his left arm as
a result of the wounds he received ir
the explosion. lie entered the minis.