The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1916-06-30
Prisoners Returned.

Prisoners Returned. ~
Ell Paso, Tex, June 30.-The
twenty-three negro troopers of the
Tenth cavalry, who at Carrizal, Villa
Ahumada, chihuahua City and Juarez
have been the central figures in the
most striking and potention chap
ters of the Mexican situation, are
once more safely out of Mexico.
Survivors of a bloody fight with a
vastly superior force, victims twice
of mobs that stoned them; more
than once gripped with the fear OF
execution for their part in the Boyd
expedition and lastly, objects of in
tercession by the president of the
United States, they were brought to
the border from Chihuahua City on
special train yesterday and. turned
over to General George Bell, Jr., com.
mander of the Ell Paso base.
With them came Lem H. Spillsbury
the Mexican scout, who guided Cap
tain Boyd and his little command
over the trail that lead to the Car,
rial encounter. Two stories, widely
differing, were brought back from
their captivity by the prisoners. One,
told by Spillsbury, upholds state
ments he was credited with making at
chihuahua City, charging Captain
Boyd with "bull-headedness" in ad-
vancing in the face of certain Mex
lean attack. !
The other, narrated by fighting men
of the Tenth, declares the Mexicans
to have been the aggressors and blame
them for the ensuing slaughter.
The latter account is embellished
with charges that hitherto have not
been brought to light. H..
Private VIM. Gibson declared that
he was certain that after the Amer
leans had quit the field of the Carri-
zal battle, the Mexicans went over
it and killed several Americans who
were wounded but still alive. t. r,
Gibson's assertion was corroborated
by -Privates Jones and Alexander.
Numerous others of the troopers
claimed they had been robbed of
money. and valuable following their
capture.
r. = Appeal is Made. =
r Camp Bobleter, Fort Smelling,
Mimi, June 30.-A statewide appeal
to patriotic Minnesotans who want
to do their share for their nation in
this crisis but can't go to war or
send son, was made today by guard
officers. y -. -.
Although Governor J. A. A. Burn
quist il. a proclamation issued one
week ago today, asked for money to
help Minnesota's national guard to
buy necessities as we'll as luxuries
for the men at the front, there was
not single cent in the fund today.
The appeal is statewide, officers
reminded the public, and it is asked
that the: public send the money to
A. G. Gooding, state treasurer, at
the state capitol building, St. Paul.
The funds will be used for caring for
dependents of militiamen. g.. .-
Hold Up for Two Weeks.
Just two elements stood forth to-
day, it is said, to strengthen the ar
gumen that it may be several weeks
before the Minnesota troops all en-
train for the. border. They were
these: - ~, 49, -.
General unpreparedness of the
Minnesota National Guard. .l..s.s
Slight but unofficial inclination to
delay speed in view of optimistic de-
velopments in Washington.
No officer could be found who
would admit either of these cOndi-
lions prevalent.
Their existence is admitted by pri-
Yates and others in close touch with
Minnesota,s military affairs, how
ever
Plans were begun today for the in
auguration of a nurses. camp.
The Minnesota guardsmen are
taking the Federal oath today
KIRCHWEY RETIRES AS DEAN ).
OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY