El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1916-09-19
Floods Fail To Deter
Pershing; Leads His Staff
Merry Chase on the March
BY WALLACE E. SMITH.
international News Service Corresponds


Headquarters. American Punitive Ex-
pedition Mexico-CDelayed and for
warded by airplane TO Columbus. y
NJ. Sept 19.-Raging rivers and flood
ed lowlands did not halt the progress
OF Gen Pershing and his staff on their
recent tour Of inspection Of the expedi-
tionary force in Mexico.
BY motor on foot and in the saddle
forced four times 10 ford and swim
the swollen Santa Maria river-they
reached the southern most point of the
eXpeditiOn-El Nalle-and returned in
good time TO the starting point of Co
lOnia Dublan-
The first sign OF lad road conditions
on the trip came when san Joaquin was
reached and dispatches from the south
told Of the rapidly rising Santa Maria
river and that the bridge constructed
by army engineers at Fl Vale had
been washed out The santa Maria
flood rOared between the inspection
staff and Las Galeras. the next point
TO be inspected
Gen. Pershine ordered ths party TO
proceed The five touring cars-the
first carrying the American flag and
the commanding generals starcrested
red pennant-followed by two supply
cars. went forward At CarbOlijena, L
miles from the Santa Maria. a young
lieutenant rode ND at the head II a de
tail Of cavalrymen-
1T viii be impossible TO cross the
river. general ne reported
Nothing Impossible.
Why asked Gen. PershinE
The floods have made il impossible.
sir returned the young officer
Wen see said Gen Pershing-
Four hours later the cavalry escort
and the guard that accompanied the
Pershing party were hauling the ma
chimes out Of the mire with the aid IF
Ia =#an
led by the general. plodded through
mud and wafer SIX miles from Las
Cialenas horses had been ordered from
camp. Gen Pershing and his party
At swift pace they rod through a
Jungle Of mesquite As they rode the
sound OF rushing waters became more
distinct Finally through the trees.
one caught a glimpse OF muddy water,
roaring its charges as it sucked at the
highest point OF its banks and carrying
with II the debris swept from the land
Pershing D3shes Into River.
few minutes later Gen Pershing.
followed by his party, rode out on a
rise over the turbulent river From
the other side one Of the expedition
airy scouts waved eXcitedly and shouted
something His words could not be dis
tinGuished over the noise Of the flood
The eyes Of the staff turned TO their
general
Pershing. on the brink. did not hest
Ia MS 1lfAAAHl UDDA lllA against
his mounts side. The frightened
horse. sensing the danger of the angry
waters had splashed above its withers
II struggled FOR a footing and found
it. The whole strength Of the outraged
river dragged and jerked at the horse
and rider and tried TO pull them under
Then, one by one. the entire staff
sent their horses leaping into the tur-
bid flood Every step Of the way
was a fight The mount Of one Of the
escorting cavalrymen lost its feet.
Horse and rider were swept down
stream
Wet. But safe
But on the other side OF the river.
Gen Pershing and his staff emerged.
somewhat muddy. entirely damp ana
quite ready for the inspection The
scout picturesque on his plains pony.
rode up 10 the general
= was trying to tell you not 10 try
it," he said.
The Santa Maria was f0r6ed again
that afternoon. Cen Pershing decided
10 try a short cut back 10 the waiting
automobiles He called the scout
Take US back by a shorter route" he
ordered
There's a shorter trail" said the
guide. But it's the worst kind OF trav-