Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1916-01-12
IS AMERICANS J. ]. ]. ]
ARE KILLED BY j
VILLA BANDITS
U. S. Mining Men Robbed and
Then Shot to Death.
ONE LIVES TO TELL STORY
Thomas M. Holmes Escapes After
Massacre OF Passengers on Train
In Chihuahua-Gen. Rodriguez
at Head of Outlaws.

Customs Cobb of Ell Paso, ex-of11cio
representative of the state depart
ment on the border, telegraphed to
Washington that he had received re-
ports which appeared to confirm the
massacre Of Americans at the Cusi-
huirachio mining camp by armed Mex
leans.
Ell Paso, Tex, Jan. 12.-Sixteen
Americans, returning to their mining
camp in Chihuahua, were taken from
4 train so miles west of chihuahua
City by bandits, supposedly led by
General Jose Rodriguez, stood naked
along the track, and only one, Thomas
M. Holmes, escaped to send a message
telling of the probable fate Of the
others.
The men were employees Of the
Cusihuiriachic Mining company, trav-
cling under promised military protec-
ton of the de facto Mexican govern
ment with trainload of supplies and
thousands of dollars in currency. The
train was looted.
A verified list of American mining
men in Chihuahua was prepared here
from the record of Mexican passports
issued.
Only Sixteen on Train.
This list contains Is names and as
Holmes message placed the number
taken from the train as 16 it was pre-
sumed that two had remained in Chi
huahua City.
The list follows:
c. r. Watson, manager and largo
stakeholder, Ell Paso. -.
w. J. Wallace. Ell Paso.
T. M. Evans, Ell Paso.
w. M. Romero, Ell Paso.
C. A. Pringle, San Francisco.
Maurice Anderson, Ell Paso.
r. P. Mediation, Ell Paso.
A. Couch, Ell Paso..
Alexander H. Hall. Douglas, Aria
Charles Wadleigh. - Ariz.
e. L. Robinson, Ell Paso.
G. w. Newman. Ell Paso.
Jack Hase, -, Ariz.
- Blomb, Ell Paso.
R. H. Simmons.
J. Adams.
j. Jones.
Thomas M. Holmes, Ell Paso.
Censor HaIts Details.
The first intimation Of the raid came
in a rief&telegram from Holmes, the
only known survivor, to officials of
the American Smelling and Refining
company here. Almost Immediately
censorship was imposed on the wires
between Chihuahua and Juarez by
the Carranza officials until the story
could be verified from official Mex
lean sources"
According to local mining men,
Holmes brief message contained
enough to brand the raid as one OF
the most atrocious in the last four
years of revolution in Mexico.
It was pointed out that the raid
occurred so miles west of Chihuahua
City ON Monday, where, presumably.
there were thousands Of troops Of the
Carranza government in addition to
hordes of unkempt, lately surrendered
Villa forces.
Men Face Firing Squad.
mAuAu6 ucu AoI0 pA0CoO tO6eLUeI
the scant outline contained In Holmes
cryptic telegram. According to this
Information the train was stopped at
Kilometer 66.
The American men were compelled
to descend and lined up along the
cars. Holmes was at the extreme left
end. A firing squad took position
opposite, and as they raised their
rifles Holmes started race for his
life toward Chihuahua City. He could
hear shooting and bullets swishing
past, and ran until out of sound of the
firing.
News of the raid caused consterna-
ton among the families Of the mining
men supposed to have been on the
train, most of whom reside here.
U. S. to Urge Action.
Washington, Jan. 12.-Reports from
Ell Paso that Is Americans were killed
west of Chihuahua by Villa bandits
will, if confirmed, result in urgent rep
reservations by the United States to
Carranza to increase his efforts to cap
ture Villa or destroy his forces. No
official advices regarding the affair
have been received at the state de-
partment.