The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1916-03-09
MEXICAN BANDITS SLAY
NUMBER OF AMERICANS.
First Attack Made by the Invaders is on the Camp of the
Thirteenth Cavalry Where Number of American
Soldiers Are Killed and Wounded by Them.
We PART OF THE TOWN OF COLUMBUS IN FLAMES
Villa Himself Leads the Attack and Completely Surprises the
American Troops and CaTranza Guards by Causing
Telegram of Deception to Be Sent.
lBv Associated Press, J

Associated PreSS.l
COLUMBUS n NJ March 9-Fve hundred Villa bandits
attacked this point at 4:S0 this morning killed number of civil
ia9s men and women and held the town for an hour and half
at o'clock, leaving part of the town in flames.
streets where they had been posted picking off Americans they
ran from dwellings and hotels There appeared to be wounded
Several guests burned to death in the Central hotel which
was one of the first buildings fired by Villas men.
Shoot Men Down
Mexican bandits standing outside the flaming building shot
guest they dashed from door Both dead when picked
up later
Miller owner of drug store was shot as he tried to en-
and Mrs Milton James Dean, merchant also
were killed.
HoWEna Mob
The Hoover hotel adobe structure protected score Of
bowling mob Of bandits srged through the surrounding streets
rney first attacked the camp Of the Thirteenth cavalry
suffered little although number of American soldiers were killed
wounded number of cavalry horses ridden off by the
Mexicans they fled back towards Mexico after daylight
Complete Surprise $50
The attack complete surprise Villa deceived all the
authoritesb telegram to Hachta NJ last night
saying that he at the Nogae ranch in near the
signed osensby by the American caretaker Of the and
stated that Villa personally was at the ranch
ing his way from Bosqe Grandes ranch about twenty-five miles
southwest of here.
reported late last night that he saw parties Of Villas men NOV
ing eastward from Bosues Grandes toward an aban
doned Carranza outpost miles directly south below here
Heavy Patrols
Colonel H. j. slocunb, commanding the Thirteenth cavalry
has heavy patrols out and two OF cavalry bson rnc
tifteer miles west,
Crranza customs guards at the border gate three miles
south of Columbus had dug rifle pits for the fifty Carranza
soldiers fled Paomas when Villa troops appeared the
cnity several days ago.
Sneak Up
Villas men apparently the ineat this point and the
Joined them, depOyng in
open Villa them deep ditch running up from the
United States customs house to the railroad station.
The fight began here town and the families of A. L. Briggs
customs collectors and L. JAEGER station agent of the FL Paso ana
Southwestern railroad the midst of it, but member OF
either hurt NJ Puche, merchant shot through the
hand.
Shriekng Battle YeNs
Lieutenant Casteman officer of the day. turned out all the
men remaining the camp Shriekng battle yes the Mecans
Overwhelming numbers rushed savage into the
railroad tracks, sent to Major Lindsey at GLIB
sons RANCH fifty miles east to bring the troops posted there
The first volley of fires woke all the townspeope.
Villa said to have been by several Americans direct
ing He the telegraph wires east to M Pasoo prevent
any troops stationed there The telephone also
went cut Of commission.
While part of his forces fought the heavily rallied American
forces Vas have detailed snpers and soldiers to fire
houses throughout the town rdded with bullets
Riggs his children in the living quarters of the
customs house. barrcade themselves behind mattresses the
floor t. Jager and his wife and children the second floor
of the railroad station building did the same.
In the section house nearby Foreman s. H. Mccullough and
his wife and their four sought safeton floor Bullets
flew over their heads.
Snpers Do Deadly Work
Sinners posted front frame buildings which had been
aet on fire. shot American inmates they sought refuge
from the flames. These Mexican snpers moved deliberately
startled sleep the rifle fusade promptly brought
shower bullets Every house in town and nearly window
appeared to have been hit from to dozen times
Civilians armed themselves and from vantage points within
their homes the shots of the Mexcans Some of the
bandits sought to entce Americans out the streets by speak
ing English. j. S. Dean was caught in this way.