The Detroit times., 1914-05-12
American Heroine Stood Her Ground Is Hours, ST
Rifle at Shoulder, At Top of Vera Cruz Stairway
BY HARRY G. FARMER.
(Staff correspondent Of The Detroit
Times in Vera CRUZ

VERY CRUZ, May Miss Clar-
tia Cameron. l9yearold American
girl. is the heroine OF the hour In
sailors. marines. all admit that there )
more bravery and heroism jn Miss
Clartta than I'M any big, strong war
rior in this city!
She SAT- on the top stair In her
home here for eighteen long hours
without sleeping, rife in hand. wait
ing, eNpectantly every minute that
"a horde OF brutal Mexican rufiians
would burst in the door and try TO
drag her with the retreating Huerta
army into a captivity far more dread
ed than death itself!
By her side. during all those sleep
less hours, stood her father saving
one last bullet. which would have
saved his daughter from Mexican
hands had they been oyerpowered by
large numbers,
Miss Cameron and her father be-
gan their vigil when the first threats
OF landing H. ). sailors were made.
Mexican toughs then started their
war upon defenseless Americans. In
suits and threats were heaped upon
women and girls.
The Camerons, unable 10 get
through the city TO the protection
OF the American warships riding in
the harbor, barricaded their doors and
windows, and took up their rifles
and waited with fingers on triggers
ready
After the bluejackets landed.
swarms OF Mexican soldiers fled past
the Cameron home, some OF them
stopping to loot whenever possible
Rough hands attacked doors and win
dows. Bullets whizZed through their
walls. Shells burst in the air out
side. Shouts. curses, groans OF dy-
ing men and threats TO Kill or cap
ture theofathers and daughters reach
ed the ears OF the two lone watch
ers on that stairway.
Was the little American girl fright
ened?
She was not At least, she said
so when Photographer Durborough
saw her in front OF the wrecked
naval academy
1t was a great experience she
said II held a rifle for eighteen
hours, sitting at the head OF the
stairs with dad. and really wished
the Mexicans would invade our home,
because II would be giving me
chance TO get even for the insults
that | was forced TO take from ban
dts at our ranch. 81 miles west OF
here. | could have killed any num-
Der OF Mexican rulfians without biz
of feeling, because | think they are
the most despicable people on the
earth. All | have seen have been saw
age, treacherous creatures, without
principle at whose hands American
women have suffered too much
Before falling into their hands
would have killed myself. but ! think
they would have killed me themselves.
as would put up the most severe
resistance possible--and | can shoot"
The Camerons are refugees from
the iSterior For some time DR..
Cameron has maintained large ranch
and had improved his property and
helped his Mexican neighbors 10
progress in stock farming. Then the
revolution reached into their terri
tory, and, In the guise OF rebels the
bandits devastated the plantation and
kept them in constant danger, a haz-
ard that was accentuated by the In
PREVENTION of the United States.
Miss Cameron was educated In
Erie, Pa, and AT the completion OF
her school work Joined her father
in Mexico She is bright example
OF the typical American girl. and Mex
leans may well beware of her accu-
rate aim.
Oils Cut Five Cents.
LIMA, o., May l2.-Another five
cent decline for all Ohio, Indiana and
Illinois crude oils was announced to-
day. lowering North Lima TO $l19;
South Lima and Indiana to $l14 and
Illinois TO Sl.15. This is 30-cent re-
ddction at the wells within the pas:
six weeks