The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1914-03-04
AMERICAN GIRLS
WERE ATTACKED
BY Mexicans, After Father
Was Hanged.
ATROCITIES BEING EXPOSED
Which Show How Americans
Are Being MiStreated
In Mexico.
consul EDWARDS is. BLAMED

Washington, Feb. 2S.-That the
State Department has concealed
charges made by Americans in Mex
leo which are more serious than the
Staying of William S. Benton, was
charged here.
The following charges were filed:
]. Secretary of State Bryan for
months has been i'm possession of a
consular statement recounting the
attack on two American girls, Lille
and Edna Gourd, near Tampico.
2. lnnumerable complaints have
been filed against Consul Thomas
Edwards, at Juarez, charging him
with inefficiency, and the State De-
partment has created the impression
that George Carothers has taken
charge in order that Edwards might
not have to be removed.
3. Mexican soldiers who have
killed and wounded Americans are
being fed at FIT. Bliss. and no effort
has been made to demand punish
ment for the killings.
4. American Consuls i'm Mexico
have been given to understand that
reports of atrocities committed on
Americans are considered to be I'M
welcome in Washington.
The following affidavit by Mat
thew Gourd, formerly of Tampico,
has BEEN fled with United States
Senator 1t is signed by Clarence A.
Miller. United States Consul at Tam
pico. and reads in part:
ION the night of July 20 my
niece, Edna Gourd. my daughter and
myself retired about 10 o'clock. At
~ o'clock we were awakened by
three Mexicans, who knocked on the
door and asked me to sell them
some cigarettes. ! did this, as it has
been customary for me to sell little
articles which | have in my COM
missary to those who need them.
Surprising that knew the Next
cans, got the cigarettes and hand
ed them over One of them gave me
so cents. turned to get the change
for them, and while my back was
turned they sprang upon me. roped
ME and dragged me from the house.
When | had been taken some
| distance away, they demanded mon
ey. | refused their request. and they
took me back to within 20 feet of
the house, tied my hands behind me.
threw the rope end over the limb of
tree and drew it until my toes
barely touched the ground.
by this time my daughter and
niece had dressed and had come to
my assistance. When they saw me
swinging from the tree limb they
hurried back into the house to give
the Mexicans what money We had on
hand.
"One of the Mexicans grabbed
Edna tmy niece. but she eluded
him and ran back into the room.
There Lille tmy daughter) came
out on the gallery With the money,
about 80 pecos in Mexican.
"Then another Mexican seized her
and held her on the porch while
Edna was resisting the other Next
can in the house. As nearly as l
can learn they resisted about 20
minutes. Lille fought until she
tainted"
The affidavit here gives the shock
ing details OF the double crime while
the father was striving to wrench
himself free from the ropes which
bound his arms behind him. Later
the affidavit says: Il Immediately
reported the matter to Consul Miller
by letter and later in person. |
also notified the Huerta Government
officials who are stationed about
seven miles from the house. furnish
ing them with descriptions OF the
men as | recalled them.
Thus far the Mexican authorities
have done absolutely nothing to
ayenge this crime. The only effort
was made by myself and some OF my
neighbors who followed the Mexi-
cans. | am convinced that Ameri-
cans in this country have no protec-
ton. | make this statement for the
purpose of placing the facts as they
took place before the foreign resi-