The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1916-04-17
Is Said to Have Died After Amputation of Leg
and Buried in Lonely Grave Up on
the Mountain.
AMERICANS MUST IDENTIFY THE CORPSE
Unless the Body is Proven to be
That of Pancho
rBy E. T. Conkle. United Press Staff
Correspondent

rBy E. T. Conkle. United Press Staff
Correspondent
Ell PASO, Texas, April 17-Vil1a
may be dead as reported. But Ameri-
can army officials here early today
were anxious that the body of the
bandit leader be identified by Ameri
cans in addition to the identifications
by Mexicans.
train left Juarez for Chihuahua
before dawn today with small group
of Americans, including a number
who knew him intimately. They ex-
pected to meet at Chihuahua the
body exhumed from the lonely grave
In the mountains west of Atevo which
authorities believe that Of Villa. The
grave was pointed out by former
Vilista colonel in return for amnesty.
1t is generally supposed here that
If Villa is dead the American soldiers
will soon be withdrawn from Mexico.
General Pershing knows Villa
Pershing was near the spot where
the supposed body of Villa was ex-
humed. If he was not asked 10
identify the remains, it is hoped that
he may be able to report something
definite about the circumstances Of
Villas end.
The story from unconfirmed Mexi-
can sources is that Villa died two
weeks ago following the amputation
of his right leg due to wound suf-
fered in the fight with the Guerrero
Carranzista garrison on March 2S.
He was said TO have been secretly
buried by few of his men, Some
of the Americans who left for Chi
huahua, marched with Villa for
months during his campaigns against
Huerta and know practically his
every physical popularity. Unless
the corpse is badly mutilated or de-
composed, they will not be deceived.
American officials have feared since
Villa was first reported dead or dying
that Mexicans might produce body
said to be Villas, make hurried
Identification and then bury it as a
means of terminating the United
States expeditions presence on Mexi-
can soil. Carlos Carranza, a nephew
of the defacto governments chief,
headed the Carranza detachment
which located the supposed body Of
Villa.
They are understood to be bringing
the remains on a special train due IN
Chihuahua today AS a number of
oulSittlS lutEe h1lOW Niiiot
identification is expected immediate
ly after Carlos CarranZa arrives in
Chihuahua with the body. All indica-
tons are that this story of Villa s
end is reliable, although as yet not
officially confirmed. Villa was once
treated by Ell Paso specialists for a
virulent blood disease. These experts
now declare that if wounded by bull
let, gangreen would have followed un-
less the wound received skilful atten-
ton. There was no competent sur
geon with Villas band or in the ter
ritory around Guerrero. The village
doctor reported to have operated on
Villa was believed to have been
crude
Its a four to one shot that the
body is Villas" said Carranza Con
sui Garcia. II cannot say that l posi-
lively know he is dead, but / have
asked to have the body sent to Juarez
SO Americans here can satisfy them
Selves"
Rioting reported at Chihuahua and
at first oftrihy1fod t0 tho excitement