The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-03-09

during the fighting. He told of the
hanging of the American ranchers
Mckinney, Corbett and ONeal, and
declared that a fourth American,
whose name he did not know. n
been hanged at the same time. The
Mexican informant said Villa attack q
with from 500 to 1000 men and
machine gun platoon.
Travelling north they crossed he
boundary west of Columbus" said the
Mexican, and entered town by a ditch
running past the cavalry camp. villa
was in per onal charge and declared
he was going to kill every American
because the American government did
not treat him right. Villa declared
CarranZa could not make peace in
Mexico. With Villa were Pablo Lo-
pez. Martin Lopez, Col. Candeiario
Sevantes, Col Graz Chavez. Gen. jose
Fernandez and General Beltran."
The Mexican confirmed a report
previously sent by Carranza officials
that before leaving the Santa Ana dls-
trict in western Chihuahua, Villa had
freely stated that he intended to Corce
Intervention by the United States by
raiding American territory and Killing
everybody in sight
The Mexican fugitive said that Villa
addressed his men yesterday just be-
fore ordering an advance on Colum-
bug According to the Mexican's ac-
count Villa declared the watchword
WOulQ De uedln TO ana
added that the killing of Americans
was ordered because citizens of the
United States were responsible for the
wretched condition of Mexico.
" The United States intends to swal-
low Mexico Villa shouted" said the
fugitive, Let us do what we can to
make it stick in their throats.''
Lieut.. Clyde Ely, with twenty men
of the New Mexican National guard
arrived from Deming today and Joined
tn federal troops
Attack a Surprise.
The attack was a complete surprise,
Villa deceiving the authorities by dis
patching a telei n to Hachita, Y. NJ,
last night, saying he was at the No
gales ranch in Chihuahua. near the
border, at least IA miles from -1ere.
The telegram was signed ostensibly by
the American caretaker of the ranch
and stated that Villa personally was at
the ranch house.
All the while. however. the Mexican
bandit leader was making his way
from Bosques Grandes ranch, about .
miles southwest of here.
Worked a Ruse.
A Mexican scout gave this lntim1-
ton. He reported late last night that
10 saw two parties of Villas men nov
ing eastward from Bosques Grandes
ranch toward Palomas, an ;-bandoned
Carranza outpost, six miles directly
south, below here. Col. H. J. Slocum,
commanding the Thirteenth cavalry,
has heavy patrols out with two troops
at Gibson's ranch, 10 miles west.
Carranza customs guards at the bor-
der gates, three miles south of Coium-
bus had dug a few rifle pits for the
fifty Carranza soldiers who fled from
Palomas when Villa appear I'd in the
vicinity several days ago.
Mr.. and Mrs. Milton James and j.
s. Dean, merchant were later added to
the list of Americans killed
Barricaded Families.
Houses throughout the town were
riddled with bullets. Riggs, his wife
and two children in the living quarters
of the customs house barricaded them
selves behind mattresses. L. Jager
and his wife and two children of the
second floor of the railroad station
building did the same.
In the section house near by, Fore
man s. H. Mccullough and his wife
and four children sought safety on the
floor. Bullets flew over their heads.
Druggist Shot Dead.
c. c. Miller was shot dead as he
dashed from his drug store to the
Hoover hotel across the street.
woman. dragging little girl by
the hand, was wounded and stumbled
over the druggists body. Snipers
posted in front of frame buildings
which had been set on fire shot at the
Americans as they sought refuge from
the flames fast destroying several
buildings. The Mexican snipers moved
deliberately in the darkness.
The lighting of lamps by house
holders and hotel guests aroused from
sleep by the rifle fuS-llade, promptly
bI ought a shower of bullets Every
house in Columbus and almost every
window appeared to have been hi
from one to a dozen times
civilians armed themselves and
from vantage points within their
homes answered the shots of the Mex
leans Some of the bandits sought
entice Americans out into the streets
by speaking English. ]. S Dean was
caught IN this way. A Mexican who
spoke excellent English called to him
Dean emerged from a doorway and
his reply in English betraying him
be an American brought his death
At the same time another American
shouted:
Hey, who are you?''
Vive Villa" was the reply
Killed Half Dozen Bandits
Il don't know who he is" the
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