The Washington times., 1915-12-22
Wife Of American Consul Lee
lures VlIIista MutineerS and
Gets Pay for Them.
DECLINES TO SEEK SAFETY
Two Americans Killed During
Shooting-ViIla May Refuse
to Leave Mexico.

JUAREZ, Mexico. Dec. PA plucky
little Yankee woman stopped the rioting
and looting of American and foreign
stores here yesterday. and Is the heroine
of the newest outbreak OF the Juarez
garrison.
Because of the rioting two Americans
lost their lives and a number OF Next
cans also were killed.
The American woman who brought
an end to the trouble caused by 800 villa
soldiers is Mrs. Thomas D, Edwards.
wire Of the American consul at Juarez.
Her husband being away from his
post for Christmas, Mrs. Edwards, with
the assistance of the consular clerk, was
acting as the American State Depart
ment representative on the Mexican side
Of the border when the Iootlng, rioting
and shooting started at 10 o'clock yes
terday morning.
Makes Mutineer Explain.
The first she heard of the trouble
was when Colonel Dieguez shot down
the leader of the mutineers almost in
front of her door.
Instead of fainting or fleeing to the
American side for saftey, Mrs Ed
wards telephoned all of the American
families in JuareS to come to the con-
sulate for protection, ran up the Amer
lean flag. and then proceeded to stop
the mutiny and footing.
She rushed into the street, and, grab
bling soldier who was firing a gun,
she asked him why they were riotinR
villa has made all OF the money he
can from our fighting and lie now QUIT
ting the country. while we are left with
nothing to eat and no money" he said
In Spanish.
Returning to the consulate, Mrs. Ed
wards called the Catranza consul gen.
eral. Andres Garcia, i'm Ell Paso on the
telephone and told him of the riotinR
and the footing of American and orner
stores.
They demand money with which to
buy something ~ eat" Mrs. EDWARDS
told him. M
Sends Pay; LOOtinR Stops.
why not send over enough money to
pay them and stop this riOting before
more Americans are killed.
That will be done at once. and thank
you for the suggestion" senior Garcia
replied. In an hour he had dispatched
enough silver money to pay the mutin-
GERS and stop the looting oi the stores
Mrs. Edwards remained in JuaTeE
after all other Americans had fled or
had been rescued by automobiles sent
from the American side. She refused
TO leave her post, With the stree: cars
stopped, the bridges guar lei by soldiers
and the Americans out of JUareS. She
is at her homo In the consulate doins
fancy work and reading TO her Next
can maid-servant in Spanish.
After the awful three lays Of battle
Which RACED around my home during
the Madero revolution I do not fear
riots any more" Mrs. Edwards said at
the consulate.
We get used to these things. / was
leit IN charge here and saw no reason
FOR leaving. I was not frightened, sur /
did not have time to be frightened |
was so busy trying to prote2t American
ilVeS ana property from the looterS I
am not afraid. and will stay right
mere until Mr.. Edwards returns"
Hope To Win With Gold.
Juarez is quiet today. United States
troops along the border are ready for
any fresh outbreak that might endanger
lives in Ell Paso.
Carran1iSta officials are endeavoripp
10 gain the consent OF the Villa soldiers
IN JuareZ to the surrender Engineered
py their commanders. The Carrtnzistas
nope 10 win with American gold The
soldiers threaten to refuse TO accent
Earranza currency. Possibilities OF final
peace or further bloodshed are seen in
the reported approach Of Generals Villa
ana Obregon, rival leaders. Villa Is said
10 nave rhconsdered his decision to
Withdraw from Mexico and leave Car
ranza supreme.
The arrival OF hungry Villista troons
render to Carranza, caused yestaTds -,
T:otS. IN which they were Joined NV tbe
Juarez Villtsta garrison and poor NeYi-
sSod ; e slsG at the chance of free drink