The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1916-03-21

IuC IcSh OI Iulll11lIS uOWu Villa.
The bandit chief passed through
c1iy few days ago and the latest in
formation concerning his present
whereabouts gave his location as the
ranch of Candelerio Hernandez, one
of his Heutenants in the Columbus
raid. General Pershing personally led
the flying column, in which every
man was mounted, and which pressed
through section of Mexico where
water is scarce. 1t was almost record
time for so large body of men. ONLY
a few cavalry horses and mules were
lost. The men reached their camp
thirsty and hungry but otherwise In
good condition and eager for the pur-
suit of Villa.
Railroad Is important.
Columbus, N. M, Mar 20-Owing to
the great distance already penetrated
by the cavalry and mountain artillery.
by means of the forced marches now
being made, it is believed that it will
become necessary to send food sup
plies south by train from Ell Paso and
Juarez if the railroad can be kept
open. 1t is understood that the Car
rama forces will have no objections to
the American forces being supplied in
this manner 1t will greatly relieve
General Pershing's problem of keep
ing his command supplied with pro-
visions.
Many Mexicans Were Killed.
Reports continue to be brought back
to Columbus of the large number Of
dead Mexicans found along the line
of march by the American troops the
first few hours of their march into
Mexico. The total death toll of Willis
tas as a result of the raid on Colum-
bus is now said to be at least 200, ac-
cording to best estimates.
Pershing Divides Forces.
Ell Paso Tex, Mar. 20.-General
John ]. Pershing, commanding the
American expedition into Mexico, has
divided his forces in the hope Of
catching Villa between them, accord
ing to information reaching here.
Early in the morning Pershing is
said to have left Casas Grandes for
the south, Sunday night he is sup
posed to have camped in the noun
tains south of Pearson.
The column under command of Col
onel Dodd was sent southeast through
Chocolate Pass. it is reported, and is
following the trail which the Carran-
zistas declare Villa took in his re-
treat south.
General Pershing's plan is to march
south parallel with the Mexican
Northwestern railroad, hoping to
meet Or overtake the bandit leader
who has passed through the continen-
tai divide over the .Babicora trail
from Las Cruces, where he was re-
ported Saturday. Colonel Dodd is eX-
pected to keep on the trail of the ban
dit and his men either through the
continental divide or south from Las
Cruces, through Namiquipa towards
Guerrero.
Think Villa at Babicora Ranch.
The best information obtainable is
that Villa is in the vicinity Of the
Babicora ranch, having passed through
the mountains forming the continen-
tai divide, without molestation by the
Carranza troops.
In his haste Villa is reported to
have abandoned Pablo Lopez, one of
his lieutenants, wounded in the raid
on Columbus, N. M, at Ell Vale, when
he passed through that place. Lopez
was the man who commanded the
Mexican force which massacred
eighteen Americans at Santa Ysabel
in January.
Villa Abandons Lopez
The news of the abandoning of
Lopez by Villa was received in
Juarez by General Gavira. The mes
sage added about twenty other wound
ed were abandoned by Villa, to en-
able him to make better progress in
his retreat