Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1916-03-18
AMERICAN TROOPS
IN BATTLE WITH
VILLA OUTLAWS
U. S. Cavalry PurSueS Bandits
into Mexico.
IS AMERICANS ARE KILLED
Residents of Columbus, NJ. M, Are
Murdered When 500 Outlaws At
tack Town--Many Mexieans
Shot Down.

FL Paso. Tex. March l0.-Francisco
villa is reported to have been badly
wounded in running fight wia Uni
ted States troops following the raid on
Columbus. y. NJ The engagement in
which the northern leader is reported
to have been wounded occurred on
/ Mexican soil
News OF the encounter was tele-
'graphed here from Columbus following
the. return of the detachment of the
Thirteenth cavalry, which took up the
pursuit OF the raiders One report was
othat 100 Of the villa raiders were
killed in the fight. which occurred 10
deep ravine Mo- casualties were re-
ported among the American troopers.
The report OF the vomiting OF Villa
is Enthusiastically confirmed by one
Of the Mexican bandits who was taken
prisoner. He said be was riding close
to villa when bs was shot and that
villa nearly feH ou' Of the saddle, but
was supported by his men and aided
In making his escape.
Columbus. n ~, March 1Q--Fr5ol-
cisco villa outlawed Mexican bandit,
raided United States territory. With
500 men he attacked Columbus Killed
at least seventeen Americans and fired
many buildings before he was driven
back across the international border.
At least 250 troopers Of the Thir-
teenth United States cavalry followed
the villa band into Mexico
Villa Makes Stands
Reports TO Col n. J. Siocum stated
that Villa had made a stand five miles
south of the border. where spirited
fighting eusucd
In this engagement an unnamed pri-
waite was killed and Capt Adjt. George
Williams was wounded
The small detachment Of troopers
under Majors. Tompkins and Lindsey.
fighting dismounted made deter
mined stand against the renewed villa
attack, and at last reports were hold
ing their ground
Eighteen Bandits Killed.
The raid 10 American territory
proved Costly TO the bandit chieftain.
The bodies. OF IS Mexican bandits. in
Guiding Pablo Lopez, second in com
maud. had been gathered and burned
before noon and troopers reported an
undetermined number of dead stin
lying in the brush.
Led to the attack under the slogan.
Death to the Americans" Villas fol
lowers fought with desperation Just
before dawn they crept along bitches
skrting the United States cavalry
camp and rushed the sleeping town,
firing heavily
Raiders Apply Torch.
The first volley brought American
troopers into almost instant action.
While a portion of the raiders en-
gagged the cavalrymen others detailed
by the bandit chioftain began applying
the torch and shooting American civil
fans who ventur6d from the buildings
Lights.in homes and public buildings
Immediately became targets for
sniDers posted at Villas direction.
Other bandits creeping close to Ameri
can homes enticed number of civil
ians into the open with English.
spoken invitations. A number of IA
tahties are attributed TO this ruse.
Stores were looted. oil was poured
upon frame structures and the match
applied by still other bandits. The
post Office was raided. furniture
smashed but the looters obtained only
Fight Ends Suddenly.
Many civilians barrlcaded them
selves in their homes and fired at the
Mexlcans as they darted through the
streets The fighting in the town
ended almost as suddenly as It began.
Less than two hours after the first
shot was heard Villas. buglers sound
ed the retreat and the raiders began a
disordered fight. closely followed by
American troopers.
Colonel Slocum said he had received
. reliable information villa had attacked
with SEQ men leaving 1000 others
posted at OF near Boca Gtande. rs
| miles southwest.
Three Ranchmen Hanged.
Prior tosthe raid, Arthur Mckinney
foreman Of the Palomas ranch: vii
liam torbett and James O'Neu. can
tUred by Villa Tuesday were hanged
'vld their bodies burned. according to
information received here.
Information that Francisco villa and
+ his chief lieutenant, Pablo Lopez. we're
IN personal command Of the raid was
/ given Colonel SloSJm by n Mexican
raucher captured by the bandits last
/ Sunday and who escaped during the
/ 6ehtuA This Mexican told Of the
hansiug Of the American ranchers Nc
/ kinney Corbett and O'Neu. He added
i that fourth American, whose name
he did not know. had been hanged al
/ the same tir.e The Mexican SAID villa
suacRed with from 500 to Loco men
and machine gun platoon
The Mexican told Colonel Sl0cum
v-ho was appointed So West Point from
Illinois, that villa lelt the Bosques