Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1916-03-15
AMERICAN TROOPS
IN BATTLE WITH
VILLA OUTLAWS
U. S. Cavalry Pursues Bandits
Into Mexico.
10 AMERICANS ARE KILLED
Residents of Columbus, N. M. Are
Murdered When 500 Outlaws At
tack Town-Many Mexieans
Shot Down.

Ell Paso, Tex, March 10.-Franciseo
Villa is reported to have been badly
wounded in a running fight with Uni.
ted States troops following the raid on
Columbus, N NJ. The engagement in
which the northern leader is reported
to have been wounded occurred on
Mexican soil.
News of the encounter was tele-
graphed here from Columbus following
the return of the detachment of the
Thirteenth cavalry. which took up the
pursuit of the raiders. One report was
that 100 of the Villa raiders were
killed in the fight. which occurred in a
deep ravine, No casualties were re-
ported among the American troopers.
The report of the wounding of Villa
is circumstantially confirmed by one
of the Mexican bandits who was taken
prisoner. He said he was riding close
to Villa when he was shot and that
Villa nearly fell ou' of the saddle, but
was supported by his men and aided
in making his escare.
Columbus, N. NJ, March 10-Fran-
cisco Villa. outlawed Mexican bandit.
raided United States territory. With
/ 500 men he attacked Columbus, killed
at least seventeen Americans and fired
many buildings before he was driven
back across the international border.
At least $50 troopers of the Thir-
teenth United States cavalry followed
the Villa band into Mexico.
Villa Makes Stand.
Reports to Col H. J. Slocum stated
that Villa had made a stand five miles
south of the border. where spirited
fighting ensued.
In this engagement an unnamed pri-
vate was killed and Capt. Adjt. George
Williams was wounded.
The small detachment of troopers
under Majors Tompkins and Lindsey.
fighting dismounted, made a deter
mined stand against the renewed Villa
attack. and at last reports were hold
ing their ground.
Eighteen Bandits Killed.
The raid to American territory
proved costly to the bandit chieftain.
The bodies of IS Mexican bandits, in
Guiding Pablo Lopez, second in com
mand. had been gathered and burned
before noon and troopers reported an
undetermined number of dead still
lying in the brush.
Led to the attack under the slogan,
Death to the Americans" Villas fol
lowers fought with desperation. just
before dawn they crept along bitches
skirting the United States cavalry
camp and rushed the sleeping town.
firing heavily.
Raiders Apply Torch.
The first volley brought American
troopers into almost instant action.
While portion of the raiders en-
gagged the cavalrymen others detailed
by the bandit chieftain began applying
the torch and shooting American civil
ians who ventured from the buildings.
Lights in homes and public buildings
Immediately became targets for
snipers posted at Villas direction.
Other bandits creeping close tc Ameri-
can homes enticed number of civil
ians into the open with English
spoken invitations. A number of IA
taIities are attributed to this ruse.
Stores were looted, oil was poured
upon frame structures and the match
applied by still other bandits. The
post office was raided, furniture
smashed. but the hooters obtained only
one small registered package.
Fight Ends Suddenly.
Many civilians barricaded them.
selves in their homes and fred at the
Mexicans as they darted through the
streets. The fighting in the town
ended almost as suddenly as it began.
Less than two hours after the first
shot was heard Villas buglers sound.
ed the retreat and the raiders began a
disordered flight. closely followed by
American troopers.
Colonel Slocum said he had received
reliable information Villa had attacked
with 500 men, leaving 1000 others
posted at or near Boca Grande, Is
miles southwest.
Three Ranchmen Hanged.
Prior to the raid, Arthur Mckinney
foreman of the Palomas ranch; VIII.
liam Corbett and James ONeil, cap
tured by Villa Tuesday. were hanged
and their bodies burned. according to
information received here.
Information that Francisco Villa and
his chief lieutenant, Pablo Lopez. were
in personal command of the raid was
given Colonel Slocum by a Mexican
rancher captured by the bandits last
Sunday and who escaped during the
fighting. This Mexican told of the
hanging of the American ranchers Nc
Kinney, Corbett and O'Neil. He added
that fourth American. whose name
he did not know, had been hanged al
the same time. The Mexican said villa
attacked with from 500 to 1000 mel
and machine gun platoon.
The Mexican told Colonel Slocum
who was appointed to West Point from
Illinois, that villa left the Bosque:
r~--~~-~-~~-~~
Nspoleon's Authority.