The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1916-03-16
ATTACK ON COLUMBUS.

Columbus, n. NJ, March 11.-Fran-
cisco Villa, outlawed Mexican bandit.
raided United States territory with
1900 men. He attacked Columbus.
killed 16 Americans, and fired many
buildings before he was driven back
across the international border.
At least $50 troopers OF the Thir-
/ teenth United States cavalry followed
the Villa band into Mexico Reports
to Colonel H. ]. Slocum, commanding
United States troops at this point.
stated that Villa had made a stand fif-
teen miles south Of the border. where
spirited fighting ensued. In this en-
gagement an unnamed private was
killed and Captain George Williams,
adjutant Of the Thirteenth cavalry,
was wounded.
The small detachment Of troopers
under Major Frank Tompkins and FL
mer Lindsey, fighting dismounted,
made determined stand against the
renewed Villa attack
The raid on American territory prov
ed costly to the bandit chieftain. The
bodies of eighteen bandits, including
Pablo Lopez, second in command, had
been gathered and burned before noon,
and troopers reported an undetermin-
ed number of dead still lying in the
brush. Led to the attack under the
slogan, Death to the Americans" vii
las followers fought with desperation.
Just before dawn they crept along
bitches skirting the United States cav
airy camp and rushed the sleeping
town, firing heavily.
The first volley brought American
troopers into almost instant action.
While portion OF the raiders engaged
the cavalrymen, others began applying
the torch and shooting Americans civ
ilians who ventured from the build
ings. Lights in homes and public
buildings Immediately became targets
for snipers posted at Villas direction.
Other bandits creeping close to Am
erican homes, enticed a number of
civilians into the open with English
spoken invitations. A number OF IA
talities are attributed to this ruse.
Stores were looted, oil was poured
upon frame structures and the match
applied by still other bandits. The
Post Office was raided, furniture
smashed, but the hooters secured only
one small registered package.
Many civilians barricaded them
selves in their homes and fired at the
Mexicans as they darted through the
streets. The fighting in the town end
ed almost as suddenly as it began.
Less than two hours after the first
shot was heard Villas buglers sounded
the retreat and the raiders began a
disordered fight. closely followed by
American troopers.
The days events were accepted as
confirmation Of recent reports that vii
la, disgruntled at Washington's atti-
tude in favor of his rival, General
Carranza, had determined to bring
about Intervention If possible, and
that this, rather than robbery, was
the motive behind the massacre.
On Tuesday Villa hanged three Am.
orleans. According to fugitive Mex.
lean, who said that to publish his
name would mean his death, it was as.
serted Villa addressed his men tc the
effect that the killing Of Americans
was justifiable because the United
States was responsible for the wretch
ed condition of the Mexican people
The ignorant poems received his words
with cheers and cries OF 'Viva Villa. 4"
THE United States intends to swal
low Mexico" Villa was quoted as say
ing. Let us do what we can to make
it stick in their throats."
Mrs. Maud Hawk Wright, an Ameri
can woman who said she was held
captive by Villa for nine days and was
liberated in the midst OF the fighting
declared that villa announced on
March 1 his intention to attack Colum
bus and proceeded north under forced
marches to carry out his purpose.
Mrs. Wright was cared for at the
home OF Mrs. Slocum. wife Of CoIone
Slocum. There she told the story Of
her capture and experiences from the
time she was taken from the ranch
at Colonia Hernandez. west OF Pear
son, where the defacto Mexican Gov
eminent was reported TO have main
tained a heavy garrison for the pro
lection Of Americans.