The Cook County news-herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Cook County, Minn.) 1909-current, 1916-03-16
BANDITS NUMBERING FROM 500
TO 1000 ATTACK COLUMBUS.
SET FIRE TO BUILDINGS AND
SHOOT AMERICANS.
"DEATH TO AMERICANS"
IS MEXICAN BATTLE CRY
Outlaws Are Under Personal Com.
mand of Francisco ViIla-Are Told
Killing of "Gringoes" is Just
Losses May Be Hundred
Two Ranchmen HANDED.

Two Ranchmen Hanged.
FL Paso, Texas, March 11.-Francis-
CO Villa is reported to have been bad
ly wounded in running fight with
United States troops following the
raid on Columbus, New Mexico. The
engagement in which the northern
leader is reported to have been wound
ed, occurred on Mexican soil.
Columbus, N. NJ, March 10-A band
of Mexican bandits, numbering from
500 to 1000, supposedly under the
personal command of Francisco Villa,
raided United States territory early
Thursday. They attacked Columbus,
killed nine American civilians who ex-
posed themselves, and six U. S. troop
ers, and set fire to several buildings.
For nearly two hours fighting contin-
ued in the streets. Colonel H. J. Slo-
cum speedily brought the Thirteenth
cavalry into action and shortly after
6 o'clock drove the raiders across the
border
so to 100 VilIistas Killed.
Fifty to one hundred Villistas were
killed in the invasion, according to the
report of Colonel Slocum. He stated
that there were 500 mounted Villista
troops in the attacking party and that
the entire action lasted from 4:3O a.
m. to GAS.
Eight hundred Mexican bandits
passed Mimbres, N. NJ, the first sta
ton west Of Columbus, N. NJ, and
were headed west toward Hachita, N.
NJ, according to message received
at Douglas, AriZ., from the dispatcher
Of the Ell Paso and Southwestern rail-
road at Mimbres
Villa in Command.
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 ban
dts, and who escaped during the fight
ing. This Mexican told of the hang
ing of the American ranchers McKin-
that fourth American whose name
he did not know had been hanged at
the same time. The Mexican said
Villa attacked with from 800 to 1000
men and machine gun platoon
Watc*word "Death to Gringoes."
The Mexican fugitive said that VIII
la addressed his men just before or
dering an advance on Columbus. Ac-
cording to the Mexican's account, Viii
la declared the watchword would be
death to Americans" and added that
the killing of Americans was just, be-
cause citizens of the United States
were responsible for the wretched
condition of Mexico
1.-THE United States intends to swal-
low Mexico" Villa shouted, said the
fugitive. Let us do what we can to
make it stick in throats."
Execute Two Ranchmen.
Arthur Mckinney, foreman of the
Palomas ranch, William Corbett and
James O'Neil, captured by Villa, were
hanged and their bodies burned, &C.
| cording to information received. The
hanging occurred when the bandits
| raided the cattle herd of the Bosuues
Grandes ranch.
Deploying his men in open order,
Villa sent them up deep ditch run
ming up from the border and parallel
ing the road skirting the United States
| army camp, the customs house and
the railroad station. The fight began
here. The families of A. L. Riggs,
customs officer, and that of L. jaeger,
station agent of the Ell Paso & South
| western railroad, were in the midst of
It, but no member of either was hurt.
Cut Telegraph Wires.
Lieutenant Casteman, officer of the
day, turned out all the men remaining
in the camp. Shrieking battle yells,
the Mexicans in overwhelming num-
bers rushed savagely into the town
north Of the railroad tracks. A couri-
er was sent to Major Lindsey at Glib
bons ranch, Is miles east, to bring
up the troopers posted there The
first voiley of rifles awoke the towns
people.
| Villa is said to have been seen by
several Americans, urging on his men.
He cut the telegraph wires east to Ell
Paso to prevent any call for American
; troops stationed there. The tele-
phones also went out of commission.
| Says u. S. Machine Guns Failed.