The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-11-02
Heavy Ncvican Fighting Across
the Line From Douglas.
Nine Americans Are Reported
Wounded by Stray Bullets.
U. S. TROOPS MAY join IN
General Funston Takes Com
mand of Douglas Forces.
Villistas Cross to American
Side to Gain Advantage.

Side to Gain Advantage.
Douglas, Nov. 2.-Major
James A. Ryan, 18th cav
airy received a report that
35 women and children had
been killed i'm Aqua Prieta
and many women and child
rem wounded. Sharp ma
chine gun fire was resumed
at II o'clock. The Villa
gunners were sweeping the
center of Aqua Prieta from
positions ON the east.
Douglas, AriZ., Nov. g.
General Funston arrived at
7:45 a. m. today to assume
command of the American
forces here.
Douglas, Ariz., Nov. mime
Americans, including four SOL
diers of the Seventh Infantry,
had been wounded in Douglas
early today since the battle of
Aqua Prieta opened between the
Carranzistas and Villistas across
the border here.
A rain of lead fell here from
1 o'clock until after 6 a. m. this
morning.
General Villa sent about a
thousand cavalry eastward to
the pass near Niger Head
mountain early this morning to
bring up supplies Of ammunition
for his big guns, under escort of
1000 reinforcements which Villa
leaders this morning said should
arrive by noon. Another attempt
will be made to storm Aqua
Prieta during the afternoon, ac-
cording to Villa officers. This
time said they, Eve are going in;
we will be in Aqua Prieta by
nightfall."
Firing practically ceased
shortly before 9 o'clock and for
some time after that only occa-
sional shots came from the Cal
les trenches Villas soldiers not
Commanders of the United
States troops have made no at
tempt to execute their threat to
fire on either side endangering
American life or property.
The Villistas became so bold
that score of their snipers even
took up vantage points on the
American side near the interna-
tional line. They put two of
General Gales searchlights out
of business with well placed
shots.
The casualties on both sides,
while not obtainable, were not
believed to be very heavy.
II. K. Jones, a letter carrier, who
vas shot as he stood in front of his
home, and Ollie Y. Whidden, private
Company A, Seventh regiment, were
lmong the wounded Americans. Whfd-
len was guarding the railroad freight
tation seven blocks from the boun-
larry Neither is said to be seriously
nurt.
Others among the wounded are:
Louis F. Taylor, restaurant en-
oloyee, struck in spine, paralyzed
. Corporal Jones, Co. @, 7th infantry.
shot through both thighs.
Eight-year-old Mexican boy shot in
stomach.
Harry Jones. private Co. c, 11th
struck in stomach, probably
'atally wounded.
James Tank, private, COMPANY d,
18th infantry, wounded in leg
Mexican woman, lost a finger.
Loss Estimates Vary.
After four desperate attacks on
Aqua Prieta which kept the Carranza
iefenses blazing practically all night
With flashing guns, and bursting
shortly after daylight today.
Losses of the Carranza garrison
we're reported by Gen. Gales as forty
i've killed and seventy-five wounded,
unofficial reports stated his
casualties were $50. Villa dead and
iE large numbers strewed
he desert around the barbed wire
1arricades of the Mexican town The
)attIe continued practically without
from yesterday afternoon
It 1:45 o'clock until o'clock this
At o'clock Villa launched his
iercest attack with the combined fire
# rifles, machine guns and cannon
heir men were in the trenches facing
he border all night declared the
iring the worst they had ever heard
Villa opened ON the western trenches
# Aqua Prieta with every gun avail
tb1e in support of a final rush by
lis Yaqui Indians, about 3 o'clock
iConunued on Page Two.l