The Odanah star. [volume] (Odanah, Ashland Co., Wis.) 1912-1916, 1916-01-14
IS AMERICANS
ARE KILLED BY
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.

IL
at Head Of Outlaws.
Ell Paso, Tex, Jan. 12.-Collector OF
Customs Cobb Of Ell Paso, ex-ofiicio
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
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 message
telling of the probable fate Of the
others.
The men we're employees Of the
Cusihuiriachic Mining company, trav-
cling under promised military protec-
ton of the de facto Mexican govern
ment with a trainload of supplies and
thousands Of dollars ia 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 10 names and as
Holmes message placed the number
taken from the train as 16 1t was pre-
sumed that two had remained in Chi.
huahua City.
The list follows:
G. R. Watson, manager and large
stakeholder, Ell Paso.
w. ]. 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.
I. Alexander Fl. Hall, Douglas. Ariz. I
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 Halls Details.
The first intimation of the raid came
in brief telegram from Holmes, the
only known survivor, to officials OF
the American Smelling and Refining
company here. Almost Immediately a
censorship was imposed OH 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 Gtrocious in the last four
years of revolution in Mexico.
1t 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.
Mining men here pieced together
the scant outline contained in Holmes
cryptic telegram. According to this
information the train was stopped at
Kilometer 6S.
The American men were compelled
to descend and lined up along the
cars. Holmes was at the extreme left
end. A firing squad took a 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. ,s,S,.
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.
ES>s.., H., $. 80 Urge 'Aotion.*
Washington. Jan. 12.-Repegts from
Paso that Is Americans were killed
west of Chihuahua by Villa bandits
will, if confirmed, result in urgent rep.
reservations by the United States tc
Carranza to increase his efforts te.cap.
tuTe Villa or destroy his forces, No
official advices regarding the affair
have been received at the state dc.
partr.ent.