The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-03-21
AMERICAN VICTIM OF
NEW BORDER ATTACK
Escapes by Jumping Into Rio
Grande ut Carrizo
Springs, Tex.
ACCUSES FEDERAL TROOPS
Another Driven From Home
and Family on Ranch
in Chihuahua

AUSTIN. Tex. March 20-On the heels
OF numerous outrages perpetrated by
Mexicans upon the persons and property
OF Americans another was added 10 the
list to-day. when 1t became known that
Charles Ballard. an American citizen. had
been kidnapped by five Mexicans at Car
RHO Springs.
Ballard was seized yesterday. and with
a rope around his neck and his hands
fastened behind him he was led to the
Rio Grande. amid insults by his captors
When part of the way across Ballard
managed to free his hands. sever the
rope and escape by diving d, wn stream.
He landed on the Mexican sid, and was
shot at several times. Again plunging
into the river. with bullets whistling
around his head. he swan to tho Texas
side and reached the San Pedro ranch.
He says his capt0rs were Federal
soldiers.
News OF the kidnapping was carried IN
messages wired 70 Gov. ColQuitt this morn
ing by Sheriff w. T. Gardner OF Dimmit
county. force Of rangers was called
for. and the Governor says that no ex-
pected to rush squad there.
Tho messages from Gardner also told
OF Mexican bandits robbinG a store at
SoUiete CITY lhSt monday. ono rODDer WAS
captured near Cotuilla after q fight which
lasted for nifty minutes and tho stolen
goods were recovered.
Garlic Springs has been a hotbed Of
outlawry and II has been difficult to pre-
vent the citizens from Rrming themselves
and crossing the border II was only q
few months ago that Mexican smuggers
killed two American officers. Texas deputy
sherifs. Fifteen of the band were cap
tured and several have been tried and
sentenced to hang. The Texas officers
captured by tho smugglers were treated
with extreme brutality and remembrance
of this AFFAIR has aroused citizens hare
to fever heat Of indignation
Mexicans across the border are also
srIning and either leaving the town In
groups or barricading themselves In their
homes.
Ell PAso. March 20.-Fxiled from his
ranch home In Colonia Juarex. Chihuahua.
after paying $500 to Manuel Gutteriex.
bandit leader, and losing $500 worth OF
stock and supplies through confiscation by
Gutteriez's followers. T.. l.. Taylor an
American Mormon colonist, arrived here
to-day with thrilling story OF his escape
which, however is but a repetition Of the
suffering which many Americans have ex.
perienced In the same region from Next
cans belonging to one faction or another.
Expelled from tho country on pain Of
death. Taylor had to leave his wife and
two daughters and IL now In fear for their
fate.
Thursday morning q week ago fifteen
outlaws under Gutteries. ex-foilower Of
Maxine Castillo. appeared al tho Taylor
homo at Colonia Juarez. They accused
him Of giving information to the rebels
that led to the capture Of several members
Of the band about three weeks ago They
rode UP TO tho Taylor ranch about day
light Four OF them. led by Gutierrez, dis
mounted and entered the house. while the
others remained on guard outside. Taylor,
his wife and two daughters inside pre-
pared to defend the homo, The American
Ia more than 50 years old. He decided to
sell his life AS dearly az possible.
When Gutteries and his men entered the
room In which Mr.. and Mrs. Taylor had
taken refuge Taylor's two daughters fed
from the house to the woods. Mrs. Taylor
kept her body between tho rifles Of the
Mexicans and her husband. who took POSI-
ton behind an organ In the corner Of the
room with his rifle leveiled for action In
the mRneuvres that followed Mrs. Taylor
got out Of the line of fire and each OF
three men shot at Taylor. splintering the
woodwork around his body.
Taylor replied with q shot which struck
one Of the Mexlcans In the hand While
this was taking place Outtsrtes crept up