Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-27
CAVALRY PURSUING
BANDITS IN MEXICO
Second Time Within Month
U. S. Troops Have Followed
Raiders Across Border.
AMERICAN is RAID VICTIM

BY the Associated Press.
MARIA, Tex, December 27.-Two
troops of American cavalry are pursuing
ffty Mexican bandits toward the in
terror of Mexico today, making the see
ond time within month that Mexican
rsideEs have been followed across 81 the
-border. ss.s,-,s.. .e.ss.s,.s z...,......sn--.
Of the eaeraean troops
Wit Unknown by Col. George r. Lang
horne commanding officer of the Big
Bend patrol district. until late last
night, as it was impossible for the
pursuing forces to get in connection
with headquarters until they had
chased the bandits out of the rocky
country where they sought refuge
ranch and killing three men. one
American and two Mexicans.
Reports of the crossing into Mexico
were sent to Col. LanEhorne from river
points where government telegraph
stations are located.
Another raid was made by a smaller
band of Mexicahs. on the Fitzgerald
ranch. fifteen miles west of the Brite
post office. Christmas night. This band
is supposed to have been detachment
of the fifty who raided the Brite post
Office and merchandise store on the
Brite ranch. twenty-seven miles south
west of Maria, Christmas morning. A
Mexican ranch hand employed on the
Fitzgerald ranch reached Valentine to-
day and made the following report:
Ranch Hands Story Of Raid.
"A Mexican by the name OF Rojo, en-
ployed as a ranch hand on the Fitz-
gerald ranch. stated that about ten
Mexicans. unknown to him. came to the
ranch and after binding him hand and
foot, drove off ten head of mules and
two head of horses. They also took all
provisions. saddles. bedding and his
rife and ammunition. After the bandits
left, Rojo managed to free himself and
came on foot to the camp of the cav
airy detachment at Hollands ranch,
and from there by wagon to Valen
tine"
Troops stationed at Valentine are
prepared for a possible raid on that
place, word having been brought to the
station today that bandits were pre-
pairing to attack during the night. All
the citizens of Valentine. are prepared
to help the soldiers in defending the
town.
According to latest reports received
by Col. I.anghorne only one American
soldier, Private John F. Kelly. Troop
NJ. was seriously wounded in the fight,
while many Mexicans are reported dead
or wounded
Identity of Bandits in Question.
: report from Villa sympathizers re-
ceived here indicates that the bandits
were men from the Carranzista forces.
From other sources. Col Lanshorne
has received information that the BAN
dts are so-called Villa followers, who
were impersonating Carrinzista forces
even to the extent of dressing in their
uniforms in order to bring discredit
upon the government troops.
Mexican officials have telegraphed Col.
Langhorne that their troops from Chi
huahua are prepared to cooperate with
the American forces in trying to ex-
terminate this band of raiders.
Evidence that the bandits had pene-
trated farther inland than they had ex-
pected and were being forced to aban-
don all but their most necessary equip
ment was shown today by the surplus
military equipment. side arms, and even
extra horses which were picked up
by reinforcements sent to join IN pur-
suit of the raiders. A number of MeXi-
can dead also were found by the Ameri-
can cayalrymen.