The Parker post., 1914-03-21
MANIAC AND PATRIOT.

Examiner with a business man whose
name is not given for the reason that
he is carrying out a trade contract
with the notorious Villa, graphical
ly portrays the situation in Mexico,
as we'll as presenting a character
sketch of the now famous maniacial
patriot, General Villa.
although | know that Villa has
shot down many men and ordered
others executed, l also know what
made him the demon he is. He is
not a drinking man. The stories con-
ing from over the line that Villa was
maudlin from drink are untrue for
the reason that Villa is an absolute
teetotler. He does not smoke and
never has. He is not a CRATER,
business man, a politician, or a seel =
er after power.
"He is, perhaps a maniac and, at
least, a patriot His life as bandit
was the result Of an attack on his
favorite sister | knew Villa when
he owned a little ranch in Sonora.
Later | knew him as meat dealer in
Juarez. 1t was while in the latter
capacity Federal officer carried off
his 16-year-old sister.
with vengeance as his only OBJ
ject in life Villa rode after the Fed
eral officer He had a few staunch
friends and three nights after the
capture Of his. sister, Villa rode in
to the Federal camp found the officer
who had invaded his home and shot
him dead He also killed two other
officers who attempted to block his
path of escape
perhaps that episode crazed him.
l do not know. But before the event
he was an ordinary Mexican citizen.
Then after the killing of three Feder-
al officers, Villa, who had always
been an intense patroit, fled to the
hills with small following. He was
no longer simply patroit but he had
an object in life He raided and
stole, bHf the plunder was divided
among his band. For himself he kept
only just portion
1.-The fairness of his treatment
gathered men to his standard until
he became a power. His patriotism
caused him to hate everything that
smacked of power. Huerta became
his personal enemy when he was de
clared the provisional president 0,
Mexico and Villa joined forces under
CarranZa. Some day he will probab-
ly kill Carranza, if he ever gets q
chance
Villa in his narrower sphere is
much like Marat, Danton and Robes
pierre. Jealous of his position, drunk
with power he has utterly no regard
for human life. 1t makes no differ
ence TO him Wheather his victim is
an American,an Englishman or Mex
lean. | was in his office the day af-
ter the killing of Benton and | be
lieve that Villa personally killed Ben
ton. | know that he has killed 9th
ers and that my life was contemplat-
ed.
Just as Villa likes to do his own
killing he is his own paymaster. He
keeps no books and when a sum of
money comes into his possession he
lines UP his soldiers and hands them
each sum of money.
Another phase of this strange
mans character is his attempt at
discipline. He lines his soldiers up
each morning to witness the execu;
ton OF few deserters. This is sup
posed to create a spirit of fear in the
hearts Of his followers and has the
desired effect. He is also making
strenuous attempt to stop the sale of
liquor to his soldiers and Furnishes
severely all infractions of the rule.
Il have travelled over $4,000 mi
les OF Mexico on horseback during
more than twenty years residence
there, making several trips year.
| want to say that the troubles il
Mexico will never be settled by Mex
leans. There are 100000 people in
Mexico who have no conception ol
government and who never heard of
President but DiaZ. l know of 1OO,-
600 Indians who still use the bow
and arrow, and as many more who
are in bondage. | have had to buy
Indians for my ranch They are like
children, and they are sold from the
Police courts at so much a head An
Indian is fined $500 for being drunk
and a planter pays half of the fine
and secures the Indian. If the In
dan is a good worker he is kept in
perpetual debt. If he is worthless
he soon gets his liberty and is run
off the plantation. / have seen colo
ries of Jamaica negroes whoes ances.
tors were taken tO tbo iDtarior Of