The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1916-12-07
! n
Stone Soldier
He Coolly Stood Guard In the
Presence Of Mexican Bandits
By F. A. mitchell


During the administration OF the
government OF Mexico by Pornrio Dia1
. young American. Edward IngersoIl
who had just married young woman
went to the state Of Durango TO set
tlA- Northern capital was then pour.
nag into Mexico, and the prospect OF
prosperity was greater than ever be
FORE DiaH Ind held the discordant
elements In check for many years. and
X looked as II the continued succession
IL revolutions was over.
The young emigrant was stonecut
ter and settled In a town where the
wooden buildings were being torn down
stantiai character. Having purchased
a ANAL tract on the outskirts OF the
place, he built on It dwelling house
and shed under which he kept his
material Besides getting out the or
binary stonework for the Ornamental
ton or buildings. he designed and con-
structed marble monuments His In
stincts were artistic and. although his
figures were crude. some OF them were
fairly well executed.
But scarcely had Ingersoll become
settled when the revolution was start.
ed which was destined 10 result I'm the
downfall OF the man whose iron hand
had kept the peace in Mexico. The
Madero revolution destroyed the equi-
nbrium under which Mexico had pros
pered. and Madero was succeeded by
Huerta. In addition 10 the regular
forces III they deserve the namel pitted
against each other bands OF men
whose only object was plumber were
let loose. and II anything were needed
10 complete the wreck of Mexico they
supplied the deficiency.
The orders which had kept Ingersol
busy dropped away. His business was
paraIyzed. He would have pulled up
and gone back TO the United States,
but what means he had were invested
In his stoneyard. and he could not get
II out. He must wait for some new |
power to seize the government of Mex |
to that would restrain the conflict |
ing elements. Hoping against hope. |
he remained where he was. but made
what preparation he could with his |
limited means TO resist any attack that |
might be made upon his premises by |
marauders from the different armies or
the bandits.
Having plenty OF stone I'm his yard
he built n miniature fortress around
his dwelling parapet was con
structed OF headstones. either finished
or partly finished. Square apertures
were left. intended for loopholes
which TO lire. But since there
was no one except Ingersol to do the
fring and since he had no ordnance
there was little prospect of success
full defense
There were several stone figures In
the yard which lngersoll thought OF
putting up on his fortress as scare.
Ia. In the hope that an enc
my seeing them from a distance would
believe them TO be veritable defenders
But unfortunately they were not suit
BILE to the purpose. One was white
marble angel blowing the resurrection
rump: another was saint that had |
,een ordered for a church. There was
My one that would be a suitable deco
alton for fertilization. a life size
tatue OF a soldier that had been or
erred 10 mark the grave Of young
nan who had died In the Mexican
Military service. He was represented
landing as IL on guard. the butt OF his
ausket on the. ground. the barrel rest.