Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1915-10-21
VILLA IS KILLED BY
OWN MEN, REPORTS
TO BORDER STATE
Border Officials Unable to Con-
firm Various Stories That
the Famous Mexican
General Is Dead.
RUMOR WIDELY CURRENT
Revolt Said to Have Broken Out
Among Rebel Troops at
Cases Grandes, Fol-
lowing Murder.
M WIDELY CURRENT

Douglas. Ariz., Oct. 16.-Gen. P.
Elias Gales, Carranza commander
at Aqua Prieta, said today he had
been Informed that General Villa
was enroute from Casas Grandes
to Sonora. He believes his infor-
nation Is correct.
I'll Paso. Tex. Oct. 1s.-A report that
Gen. Francisco Villa. leader of the
northern faction in Mexico, has been
killed and was brought to Ell Paso
early today by a Mexican woman who
just arrived from Casas Grandes.
Reports current here for - hours
that Gen. Francisco Villa, chief of the
convention forces. had been arrested
by his own men at Casas Grandes.
convicted. and put to death, could not
be authoritatively confirmed here early
today. Messages from Genera Villa.
In his private code, were received at
Juarez at 4 O'Clock yesterday afternoon.
The messages related to business with
his representatives. at Juarez.
Tells of Revolt.
A Mexican passenger from Casas
Grandes. arriving Thursday night, vas
said to have brought the first word of
Villas death, but his story became pub
lie only late yesterday, when it re-
ceived apparent confirmation from an
American arrival who said he had been
so Informed by a railroad employe.
The Mexican's story was that Cen
eral Villa a demanded money of a
subordinate. who on refusing, was hot
by the northern chieftain. A revolt
occurred, the story continued, in which
1000 Mexicans arrayed themselves
against 1000 that sided with Villa. In
the fight that ensued Villa vas killed,
said the Mexican.
Villas Alleged Slayer browns.
Gen. Rudolfo Pierro, was dead, was re-
ceived over the military wires from
Casas Grandes. 1t stated briefly that
Eierro had been drowned while fording
a river; that his horse slipped and the
general was swept down stream.
General Fierro was one of the most
picturesque and most audacious lead
ers produced by the Mexican revolu-
ton. Formerly he was a railroad
brakeman. finally turning bandit and
Tobbing an express train at Lampasos.
Mex, between Laredo and Monterey.
For this he never was prosecuted.
Guiding his pursuerS and escaping to
the hills.
When the revolution broke out Fierro
Joined Villas forces and won the es-
TEEN of his commander at the battles
of Tolreon n Zacatecas. Subsequent
ly he became known as Villas right
ham man. who could be relied upon to
put par i ~ dlioElouS pldIlS.
1t WAS Ficrro who took William Ben
ton, an l2nglishlnan, in charge when
the latter attempted to call Villa to
account for the confiscation of Ben
tons property. The death of Benton
was attributed to Fierro. He was With
Villa on his recent visit to the ranch
of Gen. Tomas Urbina, during which
Urbina was killed.
Fierro Ruthless Bully.
Fierro was a large man physically,
alert, cunning and apparently insens-
ible Of fear. Recently While in a Juarez
resort Fierro compelled a party OF
Americans to drink to Villas health
n forced the women in the party to
dance with him. On another occasion
he is said to nave placed the point Of
prietor OF a JuareZ resort and COM
the razoriike edge.
Tales of ruthless slaughter of pris-
oners and cruelties permeated the at
mosphcre about Fierro, until his pres
ence was sufficient to stampede Mexi-
cans or foreigners, yet various tales
were told of Mexicans unafraid, who
compelled him to step lively with
shots fred at the heels of his boots
which We're bearing him to safety.
Washington. Oct. IS. Messages
reaching the state department early to-
day from George C. Carothers. it's spec
ial agent at Casas G%randes, made no
mention Of anything happening to Cen
cral Villa.