Omaha daily bee., 1916-03-10

| W pTNNtnA any NtAll AMERICAN AfpobS
stationed there. The telephones also
went out Of commission. While part OF
his forces fought the hastily rallied
! American troops, villa r. said to have de-
tailed snipers and house burners, who
flew 10 their task. Houses throughout
the town were riddled with bullets.
A. l.. Riggs. his wife and two children
IN the living quarters OF the customs
house, bsrricaded themselves behind
mattresses on the floor. l.. lager. his
wife and two children Of the second floor
of the railroad station did the same.
In the section house nearby Foreman
s. II. Mccullough and wife and their four
children sought safety on the floor Bull
let's flew close over their heads.
A bullet wrecked the station clock. All
who remained inside were comparatively
safe in the most cases.
c. c. Miller was shot as he dashed
from his drug store TO the Hoover
hotel across the street He fell with his
head INSIDE the door. a woman. dragging
little girl by the hand. was wounded
and stumbled over the druggists dead
body.
Sniperr shoot at All Lights
Shippers posted in front OF frame build
ings set on fire and shot a. the Ameri-
can inmates as they sought refuge from
tho flames fast destroying several build
ings. These Mcxicans sniners moved de-
libcrately in the dark The lighting Of
lamps by housenoldcrs and hotel guests
startled out Of sound sleep by the rifle
fusllade. promptly brought shower of
bullets. Every house in town and nearly
every window appeared to have been
hit from once to a dozen times.
Civilians armed themselves and from
vantage points within their homes an
swered the shots Of the Mexicans. Some
Of the bandits sought TO entice Amer
leans out in tho streets by speaking Eng
lish. J. s. Dean was caught in this way.
A Mexican who spoke excellent English
called to him. Dean emerged from a
doorway and his reply in English be-
trayed him 70 be an American and
brought his death At the same time an
other American shouted, Hey Who are
you!
Viva villa" came the reply.
Il don't know who he Is" the Amer
lean answered, but have some Of him
left here scattered in the street" The
American pointed to the street intersec-
ton where haf a dozen dead bandit
raiders lay in the pale light Of dawn.
The quick flash of few pistol shots
were visible and disclosed dying forms
in the street, but villa was not among
them. lie apparently left when Colonel
Slocums troopers began pressing these
snpers toward the south.
Villas buglers began sounding the re-
treat shortly before 6 o'clock. The town
was cleared of them by $40 and the
remaining people Of Columbus began to
take account OF casualties and losses.
Walter Walker. who was shot at the
Central hotel with the proprietor. w. t.
Richie, was a delegate to the New Mex
leo state convention OF Sunday schools.
His body was burned in the ruins of
the hotel.
Mrs Rachael Walker, also q delegate
from Playas. N. NJ. TO the convention,
was saved by Jolly Garner and his part
ner Ben Aguire, United States customs
borders riders. who tied sheets to her
arms and lowered her from an upper
window.
Walker was taken from the arms of his
wife by one of the bandits who invaded
the hotel. Despite her cries and appeals
for mercy the bandit told her he wanted
her husband to go downstairs and shake
hands with his captain. A moment later
Mrs. Walker heard the shots that killed
her husband and the hotel proprietor.
Shortly afterward oil was thrown on the
building and a match applied AS the
flames spread Garner and Agulre reached
Mrs. Walkers room, rescued her and
escaped safely
A bandit also invaded the Hoover hotel
and shots sped through the halls and
punctured the doors. Throughout the raid
the proprietor. w. c. Hoover. his wife
and two children. who were on the
ground floor escaped the bandits notice.
Major Frank Tompkins with two troops
OF the Thirteenth cavalry was said to
have crossed the border in pursuit of the
retreating Mexlcans.
Troop O.. stationed at the border gate
south of here caught the retreating Mex
leans on the flank and killed eighteen.
Corporal wiscall OF the same troop
was killed. shot through the right eye.
Lieutenant Bosom of troop G.. was
wounded in the left arm.
A number of the Mexican wounded were
taken to the post hospital
Colonel slocum's revolver was shot out
OF his hand as he emerged from his
quarters. Tho ballet denied the colonei's
weapon making 1t useless.
]. ]. Moore was shot through the body
He Is telieved TO be fatally wounded.