Omaha daily bee., 1916-03-12
COLUMBUS TROOPS
ARE REINFORCED
Three Companies Sent to slOcum at
Border Town Shot Up by
Villa Bandits.
PEOPLE STILL FEAR ATTACK

COLUMBUS, N. M, March 10
In response to the urgent request OF
Colonel II. J. slocum late today.
three companies Of the First battalion
OF the Twentieth infantry were or
dered to Columbus from Victoria, N.
NJ, thirty-two miles west. The bat
talon only arrived in Victoria from
FL Paso at dawn today under COM
mapd OF Major William Sample. One
company remained at Victoria.
with these endorsements" Colo
mel slocum said. I can go after
them" referring TO villa and his
bandits.
Twelve hundred Carranza troops,
flying a black and white flag to dis
tinguish them so that American SOL
diers would not mistake them for
bandits and attack them, reached
Paloas, six miles south OF the border
from Columbus. II is believed their
intention is to assist the American
troops IN the pursuit Of villa.
In state OF High Tension.
Meanwhile residents OF the town of
Columbus were IN a state Of high tension
tonight. A report today that villa had
recrossed the border and surrounded the
town stampeded nearly all the inhab-
itants.
The funeral OF Mrs. Milton James. one
Of the American civilians killed by Villas
raiders when they burst into the town
Thursday morning before daylight, was
held today. A tkrong attended Every
man and even boys in knlckerbockers
were all armed with rifles and revolvers
Rifles captured from the Mexicans when
the American troops drove them frorn
the town supplied arms for many of the
civilians. Tonight the report that Villa
was again advancing gained currency.
Armed civilians experimenting the two
patrols put out by the military authorities
who have charge Of the town. fired shots
at everything that appeared to move in
the desert brush surrounding the town.
Put out the Lights.
Shouts, Put out the lightsl' rang out
through the streets and military camps
at 7:s0 o'clock, but half an hour later
there appeared no sign that villa had
reached the boundary with his army. The
entire military force at the disposal OF
Colonel slocum was ready. however. at a
moments notice for a fight.
During tho day. after II became known
that the United States government had
decided to send troops into Mexico after
villa. army officers sent their wives and
other women relatives away. with ci-
william women alarmed by reports Of
another villa attack. departures num-
bered scores.
A squad OF cavalry sent out today 20
investigate n report that villa soldiers
had crossed the border and surrounded
patrol OF the Seventh cavalry returned
from reconnaisence tonight with a re-
port that no Mcxicans had been seen this
side Of the border.
Mexican killed.
At o'clock a report was received at
headquarters Of the Thirteenth cavalry
that firing heard a few minutes earlier
east OF town was the result Of the failure
OF a Mexican 70 halt on order of pa
troll. The Mexican was killed. A few
minutes later the lights were again
turned on in tho cavalry camp and the
town.
A number OF Mexicans rounded up By
military patrols were examined today
and tonight because OF the suspicion that
they had furnished information TO villa.
Some were liberated. but q few were
held for spying.
One OF the Mexicans who gave the
namo Of Pablo Gonzales. wore overails
over a Mexican uniform. He insisted.
however. that he was peaceful rancher,
but was held in the military guard house
with a number Of other suspects. Sew
eral OF those liberated were escorted TO
the border and told 70 cross with the IN
junction not to come back.
Listing All Suspects.
II 4 understood that American authors.
ties are listing ell suspected Mexicans
and are prepared TO order general
ruundup IL that should be deemed neces-
snry.
The body OF w. 7. Richie, proprietor
OF the Commercial hotel. where at least
two persons were burned 70 death by the
; villa raiders. was sent to I'll Paso today.
None OF the seven American soldiers
killed in the attack and subsequent chase
OF the villa men have been sent away.