Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-01-22
Murder of American by
Mexicans Complicates
Border Situation.
SLAYER OF TEXAN
PLEADS DEFENSE
Herrera Issues stassraes. Covering
Case and Promises to Punish Duran
Brothers, If They Are Proved Muir
dsrers or Cattle Thieves-Bert Akers
Shot in Back While in Search of
Stolen Cattle.

SltuaClON at ILLS DOrOeC point pTOuuCeu
by the Santa Ysabel massacre more
than a week ago, early today was con-
sidered to have been complicated when
details Of the killing Of Bert Akers, an
American rancher from Ysleta, Tex,
became known. Akers was slain by
Bernado Duran, a Mexican cattla
rustler, in battle that occurred yes
terday afternoon at San Lorenzo, Chi
huahua, few miles below the border.
With companion, Douglas Downs.
and Mexican police official, Akers
sought to recover cattle stolen last
Monday from Mrs. Murphy, neighbor,
at Ysleta, when Duran. with his broth
err Federico, opened fire from the roof
Of their house.
Duran Pleads Self Defense.
Gen. GABRIEL Gavira, commandant at
Juarez, from headquarters early today,
gave out q carefully dictated state-
ment which he said covered the CIR
cumstances Of the fatal battle, as they
were related to him by Bernado
Duran and his brother, who partic-
ipated in the fight, and by squad OF
Carranza soldiers, who happened to be
near the scene of the fray. and who
arrested the Mexicans.
General Gavira declared that Duran
had claimed self defense. The general
said, however, thI@he believed tha
Durans to be cat .e thieves and EN-
phasized the statement that II found
guilty they would receive prompt pun
ishment.
Akers 10 Shot in Back.
4 No II hill
riding q horse which also carried his
companion, Downs. Downs reached
Ysleta last might. several hours aftei
the fray and reported that the Durar
brothers, one OF whom is said to have
served q team in the state peniten-
tiary Of New Mexico, had been running
American cattle across the border foi
the past few weeks. They were said
to have been mutilated in various
ways, such as cutting off their ears tu
prevent Identification.
Akers.body was brought to Juarez
early today for purposes of Identified
ton, by a squad Of police sent out by
General Gavira. The Duran brothers
are in jail.
Seek to Prevent Riots.
At the same time activities began
In Ell Paso among those interested In
preventing a repetition of the riotous
demonstrations that followed the mas
sacre Of foreigners at Santa .Ysabel
Jan. 10. Civilians and military au-
thorities were early on the alert anc
plans were laid to impress people with
the necessity of remaining calm as
soon as the authorities at Juarez had
notified American officials of the fata
affray.
Only Two Under Arrest.
Only two men of the five who are
said to have participated in the attack
which resulted in the killing of Akers
at San Lorenzo. chihuahua, were un-
der arrest at Juarez today. These were
Berardo Duran and his brother Fed
erico, who were captured by Carranza
soldiers directly after the shooting.
The body Of sAkers was brought to
Juarez this morning and later was
to be turned over to fraternal order
of which he was a member.
Bernardo Duran. the man who Is
said to have admitted killing Akers
escaped from the San Marcial convic,
camp at Santa Fe, N. NJ, Jan. 10, 1914
where he was serving three to five
years TOT cattie roppery' dccoioAis ~
the authorities.
Fire on Mexican Smueslers.
Customs officers early today opened
fire on several Mexicans attempting to
cross the international border with
large bundles of rags. The Mexicana
fed. 1t is not believed any were in
jured.
The immigration authorities recently
issued an order against the importa-
ton OF rags because Of the reported
typhus in Mexico.
The Mexicans early today refused tc
halt when ordered by Capt. ]. M. Har-
ris and Inspector J. S. Dawson, Of the
United States immigration service
They Immediately opened fire.