Evening star., 1916-01-22
Akers Shot in the Back.

X.
Akers was shot in the back while
riding horse that also carried his
companion, Douglas Downs. Downs
reached YsIeta last night. several
hours after the shooting, and reported
that the Duran brothers. one of whom
is said to have served term in the
state penitentiary of New Mexico, had
been running American cattle across
the border for the last few weeks. They
were said to have been mutilated in va
rious ways, such cutting off their
ears, to prevent identification.
Akefs' body was brought to Juarez
early today for identified tion by a
squad of police sent out by Gen.
Gavira.
Downs said they were trying to
get away from the Duran house when
they were fired on and that five Mexica MS
followed them for several miles and fired
200 or more shots at them before Akers
Cell. Downs said he dropped OFF the horse
and hid in a Mexican rancher's chicken
coop, where he found flint lock musket.
With this he prepared to defend himself,
but the slayers abandoned the chase.
Duran who was found leading the
tried to escape. declared he did not
know the men were Americans until he
examined the body of Akers. Mrs.
Akers. the widow. was notified of the
Steps to Prevent Riots.
Activities begun today in ,El Paso
among those interested in preventing
repetition of the riotous demonstra-
tions that followed the massacre of
foreigners at Santa Ysabel January 10.
Civilian and military authorities were
early on the alert and plans were laid
to impress the people with the neces-
sity OF remaining calm.
After examining the secret service Of
ficials and two prisoners Gen. Gavira
at JuareZ today gave out the follow
ing statement:
'Three days ago two Americans ap-
neared at the Office of the mayor and
requested the aid of a police officer to
look for six or seven cows that had
been stolen from them. one officer of
the secret service was furnished.
about 3 O'Clock Friday afternoon
they went toward the place named San
Lorenzo. where they learned some cows
were hidden.
THE Americans went to the house
and knocked, one of the Durans an
s,vcring. He asked what they wanted.
They told him they wanted to see the
COWS Duran requested them to show
their authority.
Durans Begin Shooting.
The Mexican officer said he did not
have an order for search, but showed
his star. Duran than said he would
see what his brother thought of il, but
in few moments the two Durans ap-
at the visitors. The two Americans
and the Mexican officer returned the
fire, at the same time backing away
in order to get their horses to fee.
The Duran brothers started in pursuit
Frederico Duran after the Mexican Of
ficer and Bernardo after the Americans.
One American reached his horse, but
the Mexican officer could not get to
his mount
The Mexican officer was overtaken
and relieved of his arms and badge.
Duran exacted pledge not to report
the matter. and was taking the officer
hack to the house when detachment
of soldiers detailed on duty in the
neighborhood, heard the shooting and
started to investigate. The sergeant
in command apprehended FREDERICK
said he had just killed an American
| in self defense. He said he had pursued
the two Americans about three miles
when he saw one of them fall. The
other American jumped off his horse
and disappeared.
."rhe sergeant brought TO general
headquarters in Juarez the whole
party.
Faced Bandits Without Arms.
Thomas D. Edwards. American con-
sui in Juarez. said today that to the
best of his knowledge Akers and
| Downs were nc: armed when they
went to the DanuIrs stronghold.
They came to me a few days ago
and | told them to go alone. unarmed
across the river and find the cattle
| then to come to me and | would get
an officer from Gen. Gavira to go with
them Apparently they obeyed my in
| structions in everything except tha,
| they got the officer themselves. Had
they come to me ! would have OBJ
! tained a military officer for them"
Gen. Trevino will Attempt
to Nip Possible Revolt by.
Chiefs Opposing Carranza
Ell I'ASO, Tex. January 22-Gen
| vo.;,to TreyinO military chief for Gan