Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-04-11
HOW VILLA BECAME
AN OUTLAW, TOLD
BY AGED MEXICAN
"The Tiger" a Farmer Boy Of
the Foothills, Whose Sister
Was Stolen by Magistrate
Story Told to an Augustan
There.

An old Mexican Peon gave the fol-
lowing account Of the life Of Francisco
Villa, "El Tigre," as he is called by the
Mexicans, to Victor Heath, who is at
present with the regular cavalry doing
border duty. 1
"Peon farmer boy. hoarder Of I'M
known wealth, outlawed bandit. soldier
hero, devoted husband, barbarous
bigamist, just, free-handed leader,
cruel and vindictive, cool, clever
political adventurer. raving and blood
thirsty murderer, shrewd statesman.
and ignorant malefactor, such a man is
Francisco Villa, Ell Tigre.' as seen by
his friends and his enemies.
Villas personal history and life
have ever been a mrch-mooted ques-
ton, as have been the rights and
wrongs Of his cause. His birth is
shrouded in doubt, as to place, time
and ancestry. Mexicos Man of
Blood has been claimed as a brother
CT negro. as a squaw man, as half
breed OF Mexican InCIan blood, and as
q full-fiedged Mexican of Spanish ex-
traction. Perhaps the most direct
light upon his birth comes from the
Mexican state of Durango, south OF
Chlchuahua. 1t was in the mountain
foothills of this state that Villa was
born In 1875, the son Of a peon farmer,
according to best reports. While he was
child mis- parents moved to the state
Of Chihuahua, the scene of the greatest
activities in his later life. A state
that trembled with fear at his name,
yet benefited by his generosity.
when Villa was in his early teens
his parents died AMI left in his charge
an older sister, a. beautiful, dark eyed
senorita, whom Villa loved greatly.
This devotion to his sister led Villa
into open conflict with the powers then
in control of Mexico. 'Rurales,' the
rowing, armed policemen Of Mexico
We're wont to carry away, for the
magistrates Of the government. anv
pretty woman who declined their at =
tentions. Villa returned home one dav
from his pillow to fine his sister gone.
and In that moment Of discovery was
born Mexico's furious 'Pancho. El
Tigre'
Villa at once suspected the maeis-
tfate OF the town. He seized his re-
FolVer, mounted swift horse, and
compelling padre to ride with him
started in pursuit. All day and all
night they rode, and early one morning
almost week later they caught III
with the party. At the point of Villas
revolver, the padre performed the mar
rage ceremony, and the signed mar
rage certificate was also the maeis-
tIates death warrant, for less than five
minutes later Villa shot him, and rode
into the mountain Of chihuahua 3
fugitive from sO-called Justice.
Thus opened the career of the man
VINO has caused more trouble for two
governments than any other in Next.
can history. He was out-lawed. q
price put upon his head. Kindred
spirits f1ocked to his banner, and for IS
years they defied the Rurales. raidine
plllaglng, numbering and plundering
Villas rifle carried 4S notches, wor1les.
obituaries Of as many Rurales who
sought to capture or kill him and win
'he reward. His friends Of those DAYS
stoutly assert that he never robbed O,
stole from any Of his own class.
GOOD fortune camc to the OUTLAY
when Madero revolted, for he and his
followers, 1900 strong, placed them.
serves under Madero's command. Man.
are the tales that ar, told of his darine
work IN that revolution. He came tc
the front like true leader of mon
iorceful, resourceful. and strong. He
never sent soldier where he comic
not go himself. From an orr.
law 10 a general in seven months
villa became the popular hero Of the
revolutionary class. His enemies he
llned up and shot, frequently with t,is
own hands. He tortured others til
they paid tribute. and shared the ran.
som with the soldiers who worshinnef
Him. HIS officers he ruled by fear. his
men by fellowship, daring, and rener.
osity.
with the ascension of Huerta ant
the death of Madero, the old banditr,
began again. Villa swore death t.
auerta. and was the hero Of the revolt
that swept Huerta out Of Mexico
Carranzo, nominally the leader of tbi.
revolution, was lost sight of in Villa,
brilliant leadership Ct the armies. ~
Carranza, the man he has fought bit
terly for a year, Villa swore fealt,
.ess than two years ago.
In the spring Of 1914, and as late q,
August OF that year. Villa disavowef
any desire to rule Mexico, and swor.
that ne would give his life work +,
carranza, but in September. of tina
year ne broke loose again and carried
on warfare that thrived in his ma
tive state of Chihuahua, eliminating il
the raid on Columbus, which I believ.
VIII end his career. net only in Mexico
but on earth also.
How great Villas strength in north
ern Mexico was is a matter Of con
lecture. At Chihuahua city he main
tanned a beautiful villa, the place be
ing exquisitely furnished and richl,
equipped. This man. who was feared
worshipped. hated, loved, villifled ant
deifed, will soon pay the penalty tina
IS awaiting him."