The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1916-02-16
MEXICAN BANDITS
ARE EXECUTED AS
BAND PLAYS AIDA

| Ell Paso, Tex, Feb. ia steady ex-
ecution of bandits in CHIHUAHUA by
Carranza troops is occurring and IS
rapidly depicting the opposition to the
de facto government, according to a
despatch from Gen. Luis Herrera, at
Chihuahua City, to the Mexican con-
su1ate here.
1--WE have practically exterminated
all but a few scattered ana MINOR nor
groups Gen. Herrera reported ALI
of the bandits, as they are appre-
hended, are court martia1ed and shot
with despatch, and this has had
great deal to do with the lessen1ng OF
the rowing bands
Herrera denied the reported slaugh-
ter of 80 Carranza troops at Fresno,
north of chihuahua, the latter part OF
last week by Villa raiders
In line with the execution policy
three Mexicans were put before the
firing SQUAD in Juarez yesterday to
pay the penalty of smuggling govern
ment ammunition to the United States
and selling it. They wers Juan Agul-
Ter, trumpeter to Gen. Gavira; Fran
cisco Rojas, a. civilian, and Jose Nor
emo, a soldier.
Three Are Reprieved.
Crispi Gulvay, Rafael Galvis and
Eligio Salcido, alleged to have been
implicated also, were .unexnectedly re-
proved at the moment when they
were about to step before the firing
squad. The populace cheered as the
reprieves We're read. GalVis and Sal
cido were employees Of the Hearst
ranch at Babricora. Their repr1eve
was obtained by the American ranch
manager.
The triple execution was purposely
made dramatic by. Gen. Gavira for its
moral effect on military and civilians
alike. The six men condemned to die
were paraded through the streets,
I,FFI,
and the Juariz garrison marching in
the rear.
Hundreds of civilians accompanied
the troops to the execution place at
an abode wall near the railroad de-
pot Women relatives of the con-
screamed as the troops formed hol-
low square and the execution squad
took position.
Trio Killed Before Public.
Agui1ar, the trumpeter, was first to
die. He stepped before the wall and
his eyes were bandaged with a dirty
handkerchief. The sabre of Captain
Javfer J. Vale flashed in the sun and
Aguilar crumpled under vo1Iey.
Rojas was called and stepped beside
Aguilar's body. He waved away the
bandage,t tossed away his hat and Gig
arctic and the rifles spoke. Captain
Vale administered the mercy shot
with an automatic pistol held near
Rajas' head. The four who were left
were trembling, but waved farewells
to their weeping relatives.
Moreno was called. A little man in
blue overaIls, he stepped before the
wall. He tossed away his cigarette
and, STOPPING, brushed away a c1od
where he expected to fall. He looked
eagerly toward a group of sobbfng
women and barely had time to clasp
n iS ha
fell dead under the bullets.
Then came the reprieves of the re-
manning three and the cheers of the
spectators. The band burst out in
selection from Aida" and troops and
civilian spectators marched away.
Villas Friends Make Denial.
Friends of Villa denied yesterday
that he Intended to try to force inter
vention of the United States in Mexico
by attacking trains on the Ell Paso &
Southwestern. They said he is con-
centrating forces for another cam
paign against the Carranza govern
ment.
Don Carlos Leaiza, an attorney we'll
known through eastern Sonora. has
been arrested at Moctezuma and SEN
fenced to death on charge Of plot
ting against the de facto Mexican
government, according to arrivals at
Douglas from Moctezuma. Friends of
,Loaiza, who left Douglas a week ago.
said yesterday he had been promised
protection by Sonora officials.
Manuel Ffgueroa, who was taken
from train a short distance south of
the border last Wednesday, has been
executed, it was announced yesterday
on a charge of attempting to C%ganize
a mutiny among the garrison at Aqua
Prieta. Figuefoa at one time was a
captain in Villas army.