Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-03-10
16Americans Are
Killed by Villa

posted there. The first volley or rifles
woke all the towns people.
Villa is said to have been seen by sew
erai Americans directing his men. He
cut the telegraph and telephone wires
east to Ell Paso to prevent any call for
American troops. While part of his
forces fought the hastily. rallied Amer
lean troops, Villa is said to have detail
ed snipers and soldiers to fire houses
Many houses were riddled.
Riggs, his wife and two children, in
the living quarters of the customs
house, barricaded themselves behind
mattresses piled against the door. In
section house nearby, Foreman S. II.
, Mccullough, his wife and their four
children sought safety on the floor Bull
let's flew over their heads. C. c. Miller
was shot dead as he dashed from the
drug store to the Hoover hotel across
the street. A woman dragging a little
girl by the hand was wounded and
stumbled over the druggists body.
Shippers posted in front of frame
buildings which had been set on fire
shot at the American inmates as they
sought refuge from the flames, fast de-
stroying several buildings. These Mex
lean snipers moved deliberately in the
dark. The lighting of lamps by house
holders and hotel guests started out of
sound sleep by the rifle fusillade,
promptly brought a shower of bullets.
Every house in town and nearly every
window appeared to have been hit.
Civilians armed themselves and, from
vantage points within their homes, an
swered the shots. Some of the bandits
sought to entice Americans into the
streets by speaking English. ]. S. Dean
was caught in this way. A Mexican, who
spoke excellent English, called to him.
Dean emerged from a doorway, and his
reply in English betrayed him to be an
American, and brought his death.
KILLS SIX MEXICANS.
AT the same time another American
shouted, Hey, who are you?'
"Vive Villa!" came the reply.
Il don't know who he is" the Amer
lean answered, but 1 have some of him
left here scattered in the street"
The American pointed to the street in
tersection where half a dozen dead BAN
dit raiders lay in the pale light Of
dawn.
The quick flash of a few pistol shots
were visible and disclosed dying forms
in the street. Villa APPARENTLY left when
Colonel Slocum's troops began pressing
the snipers towards the south.
Villas buglers began sounding the re-
treat shortly before six o'clock The
town was cleared of them by $50 and
the remaining people of Columbus be-
gan to take account of casualties and
losses.
Walter Walker, who was shot at the
central hotel, with thesproprietor, w. r.
Richie, was delegate to the New Mex
leo state convention of Sunday schools.
His body was burned in the ruins of the
hotel.
Mrs. Rachel Walker also a delegate
to the convention from Playas, n. NJ.
was saved by Jolly Garner and his
partner, Ben Aguire, United States Gus
toms border riders, who tied sheets to
her arms and lowered her from a VIM
dow.
Walker was taken from the arms of
his wife by one Of the bandits who in
vaded the hotel. Despite her cries and
appeals for mercy the bandit told her
he wanted her husband to go down
stairs and shake hands with his cap
tain. A moment later Mrs. Walker heard
the shots that killed her husband and
the hotel proprietor.
Shortly afterwaHd oil was thrown
on the building and a match applied As
the flames spread Garner and Aguire
reached Mrs. " alker's room, rescued
her and escaped.
A bandit also invaded the Hoover
hotel and shots flew through the halls. |
Throughout the raid the proprietor, w. |
G. Hoover, and his wife and children,
who were on the ground floor. escaped |
the bandits unnoticed.
AMERICANS CROSS BORDER.
Major Frank TOmpins with two troops |
of the Thirteenth cavalry was said to
have crossed the border in pursuit Of
the retreating Mexicans.
Troop G.. stationed at the border gate /
south of here caught the retreating Mex
leans on the flank and killed eighteen
Corporal Wisall of the same troop was
shot through the right eye and killed.
Lieutenant Bosom of troop G. was
in the left arm.
A number of the Mexican wounded |
were taken to the post hospital.
Colonel Slocum's revolver was shot out
Of his hand as he emerged from his
quarters. The bullet denied the Colo
ners weapon making II useless.
]. J. Moore was shot through the body.
He is believed to be fatally wounded.