The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1916-03-18
Large Force Led by Villa in
Person Set Fire to Town
and Shoot Down Citi-
zenS and Soldiers.
PURSUED OVER LINE
Force of United States Cavalry Chased
Marauder Into Mexican Territory,
But Returned to Camp Empty
Handed.

Columbus, N. M, March 1O.-Fran-
cisco Villa, outlawed Mexican bandit,
raided United States territory today
With 1900 men he attacked Columbus,
killed at least sixteen Americans and
fred many buildings before he was
driven back across the international
border.
Troops Follow Into Mexico.
At least $50 troopers of the Thir-
teenth .. S. cavalry followed the Villa
band into Mexico. Reports late today
to Colonel H. ]. Slocum, commanding,
stated that Villa had made stand ff-
teen miles south of the border, where
spirited fighting ensued. In this en-
gagement an unnamed private was
killed and Captain George Williams,
adjutant OF the Thirteenth cavalry,
was wounded.
The small detachment of troopers
under Majors Frank Tompkins and
Elmer Lindsey. fighting dismounted,
made determined stand against the
renewed Villa attack, and at last re-
ports were holding their ground.
The raid on American territory
proved costly to the bandit chieftain.
The bodies of eighteen Mexican ban
dts, including Pablo Lopez, second in
command, had been gathered and
burned before noon and troopers re-
port an undetermined number of dead
still lying in the brush
death of Americans"
Led to the attack under the slogan,
lowers fought with desperation. Just
before dawn they crept along bitches
Skirting the United States cavalry
camp and dashed into the sleeping
town, firing heavily.
The first volley brought American
troopers into almost instant action.
While a portion of the raiders engaged
the cavalrymen, others detailed by the
bandit chieftaiin began applying the
torch and shooting American civilians
who Ventured from the buildings.
Lights in homes and public buildings
Immediately became targets for snip
ers posted at Villas direction. Other
bandits, creeping close to American
homes, enticed many civilians into the
open with EngIish-spoken invitations.
A number of fatalities are attributed
to this ruse.
Stores were looted and oil was
poured upon frame structures and the
match applied by still other bandits.
The postoff1ce was raided and the fur
niture smashed, but the Iooters Sc
cured only one small registered pack
age.
Cavalry Casualties, IL.
The casualties of the Thirteenth
cavalry in the fighting at Columbus
were seven killed and five wounded.
Villas total losses in the days
fighting were estimated in excess of
100 killed and twice as many wounded.
The American pursuit into Mexico,
which ended when the fleeing bandits
made a stand about o'clock, was re-
ported to have accounted for more
than seventy-five killed and wounded.
The American losses on the Mexi-
can side of the border were one cor
pora1 slain.
Eight civilians and eight United
States troopers were the known dead
early in the day
Washington Backs Army.
Washington, March 10-Washing-
ton stands squarely behind Colonel
Slocum in sending his cavalrymen
into Mexico in pursuit of Francisco
Villa and his band of outlaws who raid
ed Columbus, N. NJ, today, numbering
American soldiers and citizens and
firing the town.
Secretary Lansing tonight informed
the de facto government of Mexico
through Eliseo Arredondo, its ambas-
sador designate here, that he trusted
no objection would be made to the ac-
ton of the American troops, they hav-
ing followed what is known in mill
tary circles as hot trail"
No orders have been issued for the
return of the soldiers and it is not
probable any will be issued for the
present.
Senator Fall of New Mexico an
nounced that he had prepared reso-
luton to authorize recruiting an army
of a half million to intervene in Mex
ond OH tho