The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-05-04
Men Now Holding Worlds Attention
In Mexico and Their Biographies
"PANCHo. VILLA.
Bandit Who Has Become "Invincfblc'
General OF the Insurgents,

Bandit Who Has Become "Invincfblc"
General OF the Insurgents.
Francisco ("Pancho'o Villa, mule
driver and bandit. has come to be re-
garded as the ablest general that
Mexico has produced in generation.
Before the rise Off Madero Villa was
pursuing his occupation Of brigandage.
and scores OF Indictments for murder
and theft were said to have been out
standing against him. His loyalty to
Madero in the latters campaign against
Diaz was the price he paid for his
immunity from any penalty for his
offenses. In addition to this immu-
tiny. Madero promised him a large sum
of money for leading his powerful band
against the dictators forces.
BY many his taking up with villa
was considered a sad blunder on the
part OF Madero. for villa has been
constantly on the war path ever since.
Iadero was the master of the situation
at Juarez less than a week when villa
threatened to lead 4 revolt against
him unless he was paid $4,000 in
American gold. Tho sum wSs forth
coming Immediately. Madero used him.
but feared him. Huerta was his mortal
enemy and less than a month after
Maderos murder Villa was leading
the revolt against him. From tho
day he took the field under Carranxa.
III 2l&IGu, Ari .. iiS PoWCi HaS S@'ASss~H~
Iy grown. He has fought n score OF
battles and captured the cities OF Jua-
rex, chihuahua and Torreon.
The army ut Villas back numbers
more than $4,000 men. and he boasts
that they would follow him through
Hades, He gathered them from every
source Some are farmers, some half
brigands. most of them poems. Villa
held out to them tho hope OF loot and
plumber. and with the success OF the
revolution share in the lands that
he proposes to divide. A born fighter.
man of reckless personal bravery
he has led them in charge after charge.
At Torreon he was in the thlckest OF
It, fighting like a common soldier.
Hts word is law with them
When he took chihuahua villa pro-
claimed himself military governor. He
ordered all saloons closed and an
nounced that anyone trying to selA
iicuor to his soldiers or any soldier
caught drunk would be shot. Five were
shot, and Chihuahua was dry as
bore. He has taken possession of the
gasworks. waterworks. electric plants
and various other enterprises In the
ctftes he mas taken aud has run them
for his government" When enraEed
he seems 10 be almost insane II was
in "a Mt Of murderous anger fnat ac-
the English rancher who had denounced
him to his face.
villa has black book" In which
he records the names of enemies ~
the people" who are to be destroyed
General Luis Terran.as was one OF MIS-
early victims. His millions or acres
OF land ware declared forfeited and
his sen Luis was held by Siila fer
d huge ransom. threatened with death
If il was not paid. Only the WARNINGS
from the American government saved
hi, lffr villa distributed the aatofno-
htles, horses and carriages and other
i,ersonsT posse ssTafTs OF TeTrazas and
tic Greeis among his soldiers. III the
colorados. the gnerfdlas OF l2'as ana
Huerta VINO ravaged the country sFs
marked for death when captured by
villa they are given no mercy oat
eN ecated on the spot,
villa who once served under Orozco.
announced that if that general were
captured he wanted to Kill him with nus
own hands During the Madero regime
VILLA held the rank OF btigadier gen
er9l and served under Hnerta. but his
dearest ambition nov is 10 capture anu
execute has former commander. Ana
this is a personal feud. for Hneria
once had Villa court uaartialed Tor
crimes and oGenses against military
aiec4nifue VILLA was convicted ana
ordered 10 be shot But President Ma
uero suspended the sentence ana or
dsraa the prisoner brought 10 Mexico
CITY. Villa escaped from prison ana
Ted 10 II raso. Texas. when tarranza
raised the flag of revolt against Husfta
villa went to Chihuahua and took the
aela His army then consisted Or
vino rnpn and their commissaFiat was
tua sacks of hour. He rode horse
he had stolen aud his arms consisted or