The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1916-03-15
AMERICANS SLAIN
BY VILLA BANDITS
DOZEN OR MORE MEN AND
WOMEN MURDERED BY
BANDITS.

Columbus, N. M, March 9.-Five
hundred Mexican bandits, believed to
have been led by Francisco Villa,
crossed the border under cover of
darkness early today and attacked
this town, killing a Dozen or more
American men and women, including
at least six United States soldiers.
When the bandits fled toward Mex
leo some hours later they were pur-
sued by United States troops, who
are said to have crossed the border.
A large number of Mexican dead
were left lying in the streets of Col
umbus and at the border the Mexi-
cans were subjected to a flank at
tack by American troops and IL
more of their number killed.
Several American citizens in Col
umbus declared they personally saw
Villa directing his men and a port
manteau found by trooper con-
tanned Villas papers.
The attack was a surprise. Villa
was supposed to have been "A miles
away, having last night caused a tele-
gram to be sent indicating his pres
.ence at a Nogales ranch.
Four men, citizens of Columbus,
and two women, are known to have
been killed. Three other men and
a woman are listed among the dead.
Prior to the attack the Villa ban
dts hanged three Americans whom
they had held as prisoners for some
days, according to information re-
.ceived here. Their bodies were
burned the report said.
The Villa men were said to have
been joined by Carranza soldiers af-
ter they crossed the border. A deep
ditch parallels the United States
army camp, the customs house and
the railroad station. Through this
gully the bandits approached un-
noticed.
After posting snipers at advanta-
-peous points the bandits set fire to
buildings including the railway sta
tions and hotels. AS people rushed
from ther homes they were shot
down.
Civilians armed themselves and to-
pether with United States soldiers,
fought a battle of several hours with
the bandits. -,
Col. Slocum's revolver was shot
from his hand as he left his quarters.
Some of the bandits by speaking En-
plish lured housefolk to the streets
and then shot them. From burn
ing hotels and other structures per
sons who sought to escape were killed
or wounded. .
When dawn came the retreat of
the Villa men was under way. Villa
himself apparently had left earlier.
In the streets lay bodies of a number
of Mexican dead. Many Mexican
wounded were removed to the post
hospital. ,,.,
Information that Francisco Villa
and his chief lieutenant, Pablo Lopez,
were in personal command was given
Col. Slocum by Mexican rancher
who escaped during the fighting. he
told of the hanging of the Americans
ranchers Mckinney, Corbett and
.O'Neil, and declared that. a fourth
American whose name he did not
know, had also been hanged. .
The Mexican said Villa attacked
with from 800 to 1000 men. and a
machine gun platoon.
The Mexican told Col. Slocum that
Villa left the Bosques Grandes ranch
Tuesday, made leisurely journey
north and about o'clock yesterday
left q point on the Boca Grande and
started for the border.
"Traveling north they crossed the
boundary west of Columbus" said
the Mexican and entered town by a
ditch running past the cavalry camp.
Villa was in personal charge and de-
clared he was going to kill every
American because the American gov
ernment did not treat him right: VII
la said Carranza could not bring
peace in Mexico. With Villa were
Pablo Lopez, Martin Lopez, Col.
Candelario Sevantes, Colonel Cruz
Chavez, Gen Jose Fernandez and zen
Beltran."
The Mexican confirmed a report
that before leaving the Santa Ana
district in western Chihuahua, Villa
had freely stated that he intended to
force intervention by ralding Amerl-
can territory and killing civilians and
soldiers.
Lieut.. Clyde Ely, with twenty men
of the new Mexican national guard,
arrived from Deming today and join
ed the Feedral troops.
Capture Them Dead or Alive is
Command.