Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1914-05-26

Their many friends in Wansau, IN
Guiding Mr.. Zahn'si parents and SIS
tiers, who reside at SIG South Second
avenue, have worried great deal
concerning their safety, ever since tae
disturbance down in that country.
Chas. Zahn grew 10 manhood in Wau-
sat, and at an early age he entered
the Pilot printing office and became
an expert in the art preseryatlye.
When young man he attended
Wheaton College, at Wheaton, Ill,
and after finishing school he went to
Ell Paso, Texas, where he was at the
head of one of the large printing Of
fees. Four years ago he was induced
to go down into Mexico to take charge
of the Hull Printing House Qmprenta
de Hull,) which he leased some time
ago and at the time of the commence
ment of the revolution he kept $50
men busy. AS the revolution pro-
crossed and the territory in which
| legitimate business could be transact
| ed became smaller, the number of en-
ployees had dropped to twenty-five,
| giving somewhat of an idea of how
seriously business had suffered. When
the U. S. marines went into VeracIuz
all Americans were ordered out OF
Mexico and general exodus followed.
Mr. and Mrs. Zahn's experience in max
ing their trip to the Coast and finally
reaching U. S. territory, would make
a volume of interesting reading. Mr..
Zahn tells the story briefly for the
PILOT as follows:
s'Of course, the three and half
years of our residence in Mexico have
been revolutionary years, and the con-
duct of the United States which first
brought small war fleet into Meli-
/ can waters, led US to believe that our
| government intended doing something
toward solving Mexico's complex prob
/ lem. We had been on the lookout for
serious action on the part of our gov
eminent and had calculated on getting
out at the first opportunity. However,
nothing tending toward intervention
occurred that appeared so threatening
as the sending of the North Atlantic
Squadron to enforce the demands
made Immediately following the Tam
pico incident. When we knew the
squadron was on its way we felt that
some definite action had been decided
upon at Washington. We therefore
made all arrangements preparatory to
leaving Mexico and on the morning. of
Tuesday, April 2lst, we took the reg
ularly scheduled train for Veracruz.
We had travelled all day and were
nearing our destination when, upon
arriving at OriZssba, we were advised
that marines had landed and that the
Americans were in actual possession
of Mexico's chief port of entry. Not
knowing what to do, the action of the
train crew depending very largely on
what the passengers wished to do, it
was decided to continue in the hope
that we might arrive safely at Vera
cruz despite rumors that this would
be impossible When we arrived at
Soedad, twenty-five miles from Vera
cruz, we ran into the Federal lines
the forces of General Mas having re-
treated to this point after offering but
slight resistance to the q. S. marines.
We were absolutely at loss to know
what was best to do. Some believed
we ought to return to Mexico City,
others felt that if we remained at
Soledad we might manage to get
through to VeracruZ in the morning.
This latter arrangement seemed feas-
able but since the train was to be cut
and those wishing to remain were to
be shunted on a side-track without
motive power, with Federals on every
side and the added information that
the American troops were advancing
and would probable be fighting on the
ground we were then occupying, and
not knowing whsU outrages the Fed
erals might commit, we were not long
in concluding that we ought TO return
to Mexico City. We were soon on our
way back to the City and upon reach
ing Orizaba we encountered speakers
on the station platform haranguing
the mob about the wrongs of the war
of lS47 when Scott passed over this
part of the country in his march on
the Mexican capital. Cries OF death
to the Gringoes," and sDown with
the Americans as well as many 9TH
ers greeted our ears. How we escaped
without serious mishap is difficult to
explain. Personally, believe that a
splendid display of just common sense
in most trying situation was all that
saved us. Orizaba has always been
more or less rebellious as we'll as anti
American. After leaving this city
our trip was uneventful since night
| had fallen and we arrived in Mexico
City the following morning.
In the city we found a feeling of
hatred that had sprung up because of
the landing Of American troops on
Mexican soil, and we went to our
homes and remained there until it
was safe tc go out on the streets. In
the meantime the Mexican govern
ment had taken over everything in
the way of rolling stock, and Arneri-
cans were declared prisoners of the
city. This, it was claimed, was a
retaliatofy move since Mexicans we're
not allowed TO leave Veracruil by
orders of Admiral Fletcher. After
the excitement created by the gov
eminent and its hirelslgs had sub
sided the order came that the English
and Germans upon proper register
and the submission Of the registered
list to the secretary of war might