Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1915-current, 1916-03-15
HISTORY Of RECENT
MEXICAN BORDER RAIDS

Ever since the Mexican War there
has been a disorder, more or less,
along the International boundary line,
which runs through sparsely settled
country lending itself we'll to the ex-
ploits of bravos.
Since 1910 raids by Mexicans into
the land of the hated Gringoes. have
been fairly numerous. Many Ameri-
cans have been killed, although moth
ing approaching the scale of the pres
ent Columbus massacre is recorded.
Three hundred Mexicans on Novem.
Der Is, 1910, attacked Marathon and
Rock Springs, Texas. Cowboys gath
cred to give battle and drove them
back. At the same time sixty Mexi-
cans made foray toward Maria. Tex,
and looted many ranches.
There were numerous raids during
the next four years, but few men were
involved and little damage was done.
Not many of these incursions resulted
in fights between Americans and the
inv ..ders.
During 1915 Mexican raiders became
more daring and numerous. Despite
the fact that American troops were
stationed eh along the border. the
MeXicans slipped through the Gordon
and in some instances attacked United
States soldiers.
On August 6, 1915, MeXicans sacked
Sebastian, Texas, thirty-seven miles
north of Brownsville, killed Albert
Austrian and his wife and wounded
their son.
Eight days later .Mexicans in uni
form crossed the border fifteen miles
west of Nogales, Ariz.. and slaughtered
many head of cattle. Cavalry and
ranchers in automobiles went after the
invaders, but failed to capture any,
On the same day eighty men dashed
into Texas at Laredo, looted several
ranches and escaped after fight with
citizens.
On August Is, twenty Mexicans
slipped into the United States at Mer-
cedes, Texas. They were surrounded
by armed Texans, and squad of cav
airy, losing several killed and wound
ing three Texans.
Fifty United States soldiers and a
score Of Mexicans clashed at Progress
so, Texas, on August 26, and the loot
ers were repulsed.
On September l two Americans
were captured and slain by Mexicans,
who invaded the United States north
of Brownsville. American soldiers at
tackled the band and killed one raider
and wounded several others.
Three days later cowboys and ran
cheers fought off bandits near Eonial,
Texas, and one American defender
discovered squad of MeXicans near
Brownsville, killed one and drove the
rest across the boundary. Mexicans in
uniform fired across the border but
hit nobody.
On Nov. "a, twenty-five Mexicans
crossed the border near Nogales,
Ariz., and shot an American soldier
before they were driven back.
There were also many individual
clashes between MexicanS and Ameri.
cans in border towns, while numerous
Americans were killed in Mexico, the
most extensive offense of the latter
sort being the massacre of score of
American mining men near Chihua.
hua, few weeks ago.
The other instance in which United
States troops entered Mexican terri.
tory in pursuit of Mexican soldiers
took place near Brownsville recently.
Several soldiers were bathing in the
Rio Grande and two of them were
kidnapped by Mexican soldiers. Com.
panions Of the captured men crossed
the boundary, armed, in pursuit of the
captors, but later returned. the Ameri.
cans having been released. The com.
mander of this invasion is held for
trial by court-martial. Several Ameri.
can soldiers were drowned in attempt.
ing to swim the river