The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1914-03-17
K|LLAMER|CAN
POSTMASTER
AND BURN
OFFICE
Three Mexicans, Believed to Be
Federal Soldiers Cross Border
to Town Of Tesate and Make
Raid on Government Building
-Angered at Victim Who Re-
fuses to Open Safe.

SAN DIEGO, California, March 49,
ASSOCIATED PRESS by Federal wircless)
Tho United States custom house and
rostofIiee, together with the general
store of the Mountain Commercial Com
pany, were burned; Frank Y. johnson,
postmaster and storekeeper, was shot
and killed, and Warren Wiedenback,
friend of johnson, was probably fatally
wounded when three Mexicans, be-
lieved to be Federal soldiers, yesterday
made daylight raid on tae little Dor
der town Of Tecatc about forty,fve
miles east of this city.
Major William G. DAVIS, command
ant Of Fort Rosecraps, with other off,
GERS and a platoon Of men from the two
coast artillery companies stationed at
the fort, left immediately for Tecate
on receipt of the adviccs and win con-
dnct a rigid investigation into the kill.
ing of a government employee and de-
struction of government property.
The American town of Tecate is on
the border line, directly across from
the Mexican town of Tecate, where is
stationed garrison of about two hun
dred Federal soldiers.
Shot Down Cold Bloodediy.
Late yesterday afternoon three Mexi-
cans entered tho store, in which was
also the oustomhouse and postoffice. aud
casually approached johnson and Vie
denback, who were alone in the store.
As soldiers frequently cross from the
Mexican side to the American town,
Johnson pad little attention to tho mon
until they suddenly drew revolvers and
compelled johnson and Wiedenback to
throw up their hands.
johnson was then ordered to open
the safe, which always contained a
large sum of money because Of being
a repository for, neighboring Mexicans,
and when he refused to obey tho com.
mand he was shot by ono OF the Mex.
cans and instantly killed. Several bull
let's were fred into his body after he
fell to the floor.
Building Set on Fire.
After the shooting tho three men
started TO leave the store. As they
reached the door Wiedenback attempt.
ed to reach for a, rife but the bandits
saw his action and be fell pierced by
several bullets. Apparently in an at
tempt to hide their crime the murder
ers then set fire to the building and
departed, huFrying across the border.
Other residents Of the little town, at
tracted by the shooting and smoke
rushed to the store and dragged WED
enbeck and the dead body of John
son from the building but were unable
to save the structure from destruction
| by tho flames. Wiedenback is so bad
ly wounded that little hope is held for
his recovery and he is the only person
who could positively identify the trio,
it is believed.
The Mexican town of Tecate was the
scene of several bloody battles early
in 1911 between Federal and rebel
forces, the most notable of which was
the overwhelming defeat Of Governor
Celso Vega and his army Of regulars.
who were compelled TO retreat to Ense.
NADIA, the capital of Lover california.
Later Vega again advanced on the
town, which was deperted by the rebels
on tie approach of the Federals and
has since thon iheen held as a garrison
by Ahe Hnerta forces. The town is a
lstTategic point, as lit guards the only
nass Through tho mountains by which
an invading forcec can enter Lower Cali.
forpia from the, cast. n 80 ST..
Il A q. IL