The Dickson County herald. (Dickson, Tenn.) 1907-1979, 1916-03-17
coLuMRus. N. NJ. IS sToRMED AND
RuRNsD-sixrEEN AMERICANS
ARE MURDERED
TROOPS FOLLOW RAIDERS
Town and scldlsrs Attacked in Early
Mernina by 500 MexIesnit---
Citizens Lived from Etoms
70 be Killed

iotumhus, ~. VI ~~tFAnclBCO ftii1a
outlawed Mexieen bandit, has rajded
United States territory With 500 men
he attacked Columbus March 9. killed
at least II Americans and fred many
buildings before he was driven back
across the international bridge
Not les than ESQ troopers OF the Thir
teenth United States Cavalry followed
the villa bandits into Mexico Reports
10 Col. slocum. commanding Ameri
can troops here. state that villa hal
made stand five miles south OF the
border, where spirited fighting took
place, In this engagement a private
was killed and Capt George Williams
adiuiant OF the Thirteenth Cavalry.
was wounded.
The small detachment OF troopers
under Maj Frank Tompkins ami Capt.
Elmer Lindsey, fighting dismountAd,
made determined stand against ths
renewed Villa attack.
The raid on American territory prov.
bodies OF Is bandits, including Pablo
Lopez, second In command, were
gathered aud RurRea Aad troopers, re.
ported an undetermined NUN ber OF
dead sttll lying In the brush Led TO
the attack under the slogan, Death to
the Americans" Villas follows fought
with desperation Just before dawn
they crept along bitches skirtlng the
United States cavalry camp. and rush
ed the sleeping town, firing heavily.
The first yoIley brought American
troopers into almost instant action,
While portion OF the raiders engaged
the cayalrymeu others began applying
the torch and shooting American civ
ilians who ventured from the build.
ings Lights in homes and public
buildings Immediately became targets
for snipers posted at Villas direction
Other bandits creeping close to Amer
lean homes. enticed number OF civ.
Illans into the open with English
spoken invitations A number OF "a
talties are attributed to this ruse.
Stores we're looted oil was poured
upon frame structures and the matca
applied by still other bandits The
postolflce was raided, but the hooters
secured only one small registered
package.
Many civilians barrlcaded them.
selves Ia their homes and fired at the
Mexicans as they darted through the
streets. The fighting In the town end.
cd almost as suddenly az 1t began
Less than two hours after the first
shot was fired Villas buglers sounded
the retreat and the raiders began
disordered flight. closely followed by
American troopers
The casualties OF the Thirteenth
Cavalry In the fighting at Columbus
were seven killed and six wounded.
Villas total losses In the days fight
Ing we're estimated in excess OF 100
killed and about az many wounded
The American pursuit into Mexico was
reported To have accounted for more
than 7S Mexicaus killed and wound.
cd
villa dropped his personal papers
as he went with his fleeing men back
into Mexico A note found among
these. evidently transcript Of all
order issued Just before the attack.
read XIII all the gringoes
Villas presence Is accepted here a.
discredting his recent assertions that
he Was not responsible for the assas
sination OF II Americans ives. OF the
city OF chihuahua a few week. ago.
That outrage was laid at the door
Of Pablo Lopez Villas second IN com.
mand II so, the Americans have ap-
parenty been avenged. for body
among the invaders slain by the troops
was identified AZ that o, lopez.
The days event were accepted 40
confirmation OF recent reports that
villa, disgrunted at Washington At
titude In favor H his rival. Gen Car
rama. had determined 10 bring about
intervention II possible. and that this
rather than robbery. was the motive
behind the massacre
On March as Villa hanged three
Americans, A fugitive Mexican. who
said that TO publish his name would
mean his death. asserted that Villa
addressed his men 20 the effect tina.
che killing ~ Americans was iustin.
able because the United States was re-
sponsihle for the wretched condition
OF the Mexican people, The ignorant
pears received his words with cneers