Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1916-04-03
A. ?. OPERATOR
IN COLUMBUS At
TIME Of ATTACK
Edward A, Van Camp, Here
on Way to Denver Tells of
Pancho Villas Raid on Bor-
der Town,

Edward A. Van Camp. Associated
Press telegrapher. who has been sta
toned at I1l Paso for the last year
and who was attached to the staff of
correspondents of the Associated
Press that went into Mexico with the
American army forces in their pur-
suit of Pancho Villa. passed through
this city last night on his way TO Den
yer While waiting at the station be-
tween trains Mr.. Van Camp gave an
interesting account of some OF ms eN-
periences both at Columbus ana III
the interior Of Mexico.
Leaving FL Paso for Columbus the
night before Villa made his raid on
the border city, he arrived in the
town about 1880 O'Clock in the morn
ing and after eating a lunch, went 10
his room in the Hoover hotel lie
was awakened by the sound OF re-
volver and rifle shots and, looking
ont Of his window saw that the town
was on fire. About that time two
bullets came into his room, one
through each window. Mr.. Van Camp
grabbed his clothing and dresser
while lying on the floor, then crawieu
to the door, going across the haiiWaS
to the room of his companion, George
Seese. They We're the only men on
that floor. AS the fire Kept gettlhs
closer and closer and thinking II Jus'
as well to take their chances WIN the
bandits as it was to be burned ailVe'
they made their way downstairs. INTO
the office and were just in the act VI
opening the door to the street with
Or. Miller came in and fell at thei
feet. shot dead by the raiders
Trooper Picked OF SIX.
They then went upstairs TO rear
room, taking number OF snee's ai,u
spreads TO tie into knots TO enaple
them 10 lower the women to the
ground when the bandits came INTO
! the hotel. The bandits came into the
office. whooping and yelling ana
firing. but about that time the United
States troops appeared. On account
Of the light from burning buildings
which made them easy targets Tor ihe
American troopers, the bandits reur-
ed but one cavalryman got IN the
rear of the hotel and pick off SIX or
| them in one-two-t three order. Mr,
/ Van Camp Witnessed this. Accordlhs
to Mr.. van Camp there was not re-
volver or rifle in the hotel me
work of the cavalrymen was hlshlv
nraised by Mr. Van Camp. VINO de-
clared that it would have been utterly
impossible for any body Of troops 10
have done better under the eNlslits
circumstances. About two dozen OF
the soldiers were on leave OF absence
and all their guns and ammuhitioh
was locked in the ammunition bulih-
ing and it was necessary Tor ,Iic
/ trooners to fight their way into TINS
building before they could fire shot
at the raiders. .a
| That Villa was thoroughly posted
as 70 conditions in Columbus at the
/ time was shown by the way in which
he located his object places. barller
in the day he had sent a message
from somewhere purporhng 10 ne
signed by him and reporting hlinseit
al Gibson's ranch. about flfty-eiell
miles southwest Of Columbus WHIT
he was in reality only few mi re-,
south of the town and awaiting ti,e
opportune moment Wheh ne . oui"
cross the lire. asserted Mr.. van camp
With Troops Into Mexico,
When the American column under
| General Pershing crossed the bound
iarv line MI. Van Camp was with II,
acting AZ messenger to the Associated
Press correspondents. When the al
lvancinp column neare6 the vicinity OF
| Guzman, Mr.. Van Camp, who pesloes
beine an operator, has a thorough
knowledge of the Spanish language
detached himself from the main col
nmn and made his way to the tele-
craph office at that point and sent IN
! = story over the Mexican telegraph
lines into the Associated Press offices
at Ell Paso. The Carranza garrison,
however after letting his dispatches
20 through, was not satisfied with ms
explanation as to who he was ana put
him Under guard, charging him with
being an American soldier or spy lie
was finally liberated after getting INTO
communication with General GaVifa
at Juarez, with whom he was person.
lallv acquainted.