Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-03-10
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children he emerged from the back door
and reached the barn just az the bandits
broke in the front door. The bandits
looted the house and were preparing to
set fire to the barn when the American
forces opened fire. Capt Smyser man
aged to Join his troop in time to particle
pate In the battle in which the Mexicans
finally were driven from the town. The
casualties of the 18th Cavalry In the
fighting at Columbus were seven killed
and six wounded.
! Villa Losses 100
! Villas total losses in the days fight
Eng were estimated in excess Of 100 killed
and twice as many wounded. The Amer
lean pursuit into Mexico, which ended
about o'clock, was reported to have &C.
counted for more than 70 Mexicans kill
ed and wounded.
+ The American loss on the Mexican side
was one corporal slain when Villa threw
out a heavy guard to engage the pursu-
ing American troopers.
OF the eight American civilians slain
here Charles Dewitt Miller Of Albuquer-
que and DR.. H. J. Hart of Ell Paso were
burned to death in the fire that destroyed
the Commercial hotel.
The body of Walton Walker. a Sunday
school convention delegate from Playas,
N. NJ, who was shot to death with w. T.
Richie proprietor of the hotel, also was
1ncinerated.
The Mexicans set the hotel on fire,
together with number of other build
1ngs and posted soldiers to pick off
Americans as they came out. Mrs. NJ.
James was shot and killed in the door
way Of another hotel from which she
was running with her sister. Mrs.
James fell dying over the body of c.
G. Miller. who had been driven from
his drug store across the street. Mrs.
Uames' husband was wounded.
Villa, according to reliable informa-
ton obtained by Col. Slocum. attacked
with 1900 men, leaving 1000 across
the border. Twenty OF his officers. sent
here Tuesday to spy out the situation
learned that the five American cavalry
troops with headquarters here were
scattered for miles along the border
on patrol duty Two troops stationed
at a ranch Is miles west did not get
into the action. Three troops were IN
camp here with an effective force OF
about $50 mon. Informed Of this and
assured by his spies that certain aid
would be given by some OF the Mexi-
can residents, Villa started his advance
from the Boca Grande river late yes
terday.
The first intimation Of the approach
came when Private Griffin. on sentry
.ddty, saw number of Mexlcans
around the quarters Of Lieut.. Lucas.
Griffin opened fire ard at the cost OF
his life drew attention of the bandits
for sufficient time to permit Lucas 10
reach camp and turn out his machine
gun troop. Villa dropped his personal
papers as he went with his fleeing men
back into Mexico. A rote found among
these, evidently a transcript or an or
der issued just before the attack reao
Kill all the Gringoes"
Villas presence is accepted here as
discrediting his recent assertions tha'
he was not responsible for the assasi-
walton OF IA Americans west OF the
Citv of Chihuahua few weeks ago.
That outrage was laid at the door VI
pablo Lopez, Villas second IN com
,nand n so. the Americans have ap-
Darentlv been avenged, for pooS
among the invaders slain by the 'foop
ers was identified as that or Lopez
The days events were accep'eo d.
confirmation of recent Reports 'ha'
Villa discounted at Washingtons at
@i+ude in favor of his rival. Genera
C,arranza. had determined TO prlhs
.hout intervention if possible ana tha'
chic rather than robbery. was the mo
tive behind the massacre.
IN Tuesday last Villa hanged three
Americans. Yesterday. according 10
Fugitive Mexican who said tnat 10 pun
1iah his name would mean his death' VIZ
la addressed his men to the erect IN"
tho killing of Americans was Justinaoi'
hacause the United States was responsible
..- tho wretched condition of the Mext
can people. The ignorant poems received
his words with cheers and cries OF v'V'
Villa"
.The United States intends to swaiio'
Hfexico." Villa was quoted as saying Ae
~. do what we can to make 1t Stuck II
their throats."
Three troops Of cavalry were posted OF
the boundary tonight battalion OF IN
fantry and a squadron of the sth cav
airy from Fort Bliss left FL Paso iat'
todav to reinforce the troops here.
with these forces Col. slocum SAID M
could handle any further attack VIVA II
de.peration might decide to make.
Civilians Reply to Shots
Many civilians barricaded them
selves in their homes and fired at the
Mexicans as they darted through the
streets. The fighting in the town enoeo
almost as suddenly as it began. Less
than two hours after the first shot
was heard, Villas buglers sounded the
retreat and the raiders began dis
ordered flight, closely followed by
American troopers.
Bodies Identified
Bodies burned in the Commercial
hotel were identified as those Of Chas
Dewitt Miller. Albuquerque; DR.. H
M. Hart, cattle inspector from E
Paso; Harry Davis. member Company
nn0