The Columbus courier. [volume] (Columbus, Luna County, N.M.) 1911-1920, 1916-03-24

also burned,
Those who were murdered were
J. T. Dean, groceryman; c. c.
Miller, druggist J. j. Moore, mer-
chant; Mrs. Milton James, wife Of
the f. P. & S. w. pumper; DR.. H..
NJ. Hart, of FL Paso; c. Dewitt Mil
Ter. of Tularosa; w. A. Davidson.
FL Paso; N. r. Walker, A chauffeur
who was stopping at the CONNER
cial Hotel, and eight U. S. Soldiers.
A. D. Frost, Milton James, Mrs. j.
J. Moore. and a few members of
the Thirteenth Cavalry were also
seriously wounded.
W. T. Richie and some of his
guests were dragged from the Com
mercial Hotel and shot and their
bodies pitched back into the burn
ing building. Others we're shot
and left in the building and their
bodies burned, but all have been
identified by their badges, finger
rings and other things which they
we're know to have in their pos
session
One thing that has been very
noticeable by the people of Column
bus is that the Mexican stores
and houses were untouched. On
ly n Mexican store had the plate
glass broken in, and there is strong
suspicion that it was broken in
by the owners of the store, They
have left town under orders. In
the Sanford building near the depot
there is a restaurant and jewelry
shop in the west part, pool hall in
the center, and a store on the east
that has always been occupied by
MeXicans. Only the west part Of
the building, occupied by Ameri-
cans, was touched.
All MeXicans who were not per
Sonally known by American citi-
Gems were ordered TO leave town,
and every suspicious character
was forced to leave, with instruc-
tions that they would be executed
L they came back here. Those who
returned are now numbered with
the dead.
When the bandits were finally
driven from the town all the troops
valuable were close at their heels.
They made their way toward the
southwest. Troop G, 18th Cavalry.
which IA stationed at the Dor
der gate, tried to head them off.
but only arrived in time to make a
fla. k attack, and at least twenty
dead MeNicans We're left to tell the
n.y.. The troops chased them
~ across the line for several miles.
II seems that Villa halted as soon
MS his men were out of range of
the soldiers guns across the line.
thinking that the gringoes would
net dare to cross without orders
from Washington. In this he was
badly mistaken. Major Tompkins,
with about fifty men, did not hest
tate at the line, but followed the
murderers. 1t is not known how
many were slain, but there was a
host of them a few hundred yards
from the fence.
The W. r. Page home was one of
the worst shot up places in town.
Miss Page is a teacher in the CO.
'umbus schools, and has had TO
thrush several Of the Mexican pu-
nils during the term. This is the
only reason known for the attack
upon their home. The house was
set on fire three different times,
but Mr. Page succeeded in extin-
gushing the fire each time. The
ha'dits, before they entered the
house, would put their heads in at
th" broken windows, and with a
lighted match would attempt TO
locate the occupants, so that they
could take a shot at them. Forum.
ately no one was hurt. The ladies
were concealed in the yard at the
rear Of the house.
As the Mexicans were leaving.
thev stopped at the beautiful home
o Mr.. and Mrs. J. J. Moore. They
took Mr. Moore outside of the house