El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-01-26
NIGHT RIVERFIGHT IS FATAL To
TWO MEXICANS; 8 OTHERS SHOT
Carranza Soldiers, Open Fire on American Sentries
Seeking to Stop Smuggers, Receiving Voleys in
Reply; America Soldier Harry Lynn Struck;
Fusillade Excites Both Cities

1.-TWO Mexican soldiers were killed
three more wounded, and
one American infantryman was
wounded, Friday night, when the
Mexican and American river patrols
on opposite sides Of the Rio Grande.
near the Santa Fe bridge fired volley
after volley at each other across the
narrow ribbon Of water, according to
the Official reports made to military
headquarters on the American and
Mexican sides Of the boundary, Satur-
day Of the shooting. Pvt. Lynn, COM
pany H. 64th infantry. was the Ameri-
can wounded
-Four sugar smugglers, attempting
20 carry 10 Mexico a quantity Of con-
traband sugar started the shooting
which continued for more than an
hour, between 9 and II o'clock The
American river patrol CHALLENGED the
smugglers, who refused to halt. but
continued to wade the river. The pa
troll fired several shots at the snug
glers as they fled to the Mexican side
in the darkness. The fire was first
smugglers-
MexIeans Return Fire.
thinking the American soldiers had
opened fire on them. the mounted
Mexican patrols returned the fire and
about 200 bullets were EXCHANGED
across the river. ReInforcements were
rushed from the American patrol
posts along the river and both bridges
guarded TO prevent any attempt of the
Mexicans to cross A report was re-
ceived by the commanding officer Of
The American patrols shortly before
midnight that band Of Mexicans had
crossed the shallow river near the in
ternational bridge under cover Of the
Mexican firing. Soldiers were sent TO
search the adobe houses lining the
river bank, but no fugitives were
found
It was thought the firing was done
10 cover an organized effort to snug
gle into the country a number Of
1exicans who had been debarred by
the L. S. immigration authorities. This
was found denied by the official re-
port of the affair made to military
headquarters in FL Paso.
Lynn VIII Recover.
Private Lynn was hit in the lip by
= bullet which had richOehetted from
The river revetment work Splinters
from the piling also caused flesh
wounds in one side He will recover.
Company H immediately Acts.
AS soon as the firing started, COM
pany H, 64th infantry, stationed at
the Santa Fe bridge, Immediately
came into action, being strung along
the river embankment both above and
was in command, with Lieuts. c. +.
WOoton, Carl Walmsley and Harry
Singerman-
CorpL Boyle OF the provost guard
and Sergt. Frank Kovacs, Of company
II. carried Lynn TO the Santa Fe
bridge, to be sent TO the military hos
pital.
Provost Guardsmen Appear.
Members Of the provost guard. I
under command Of Capt. A n Wey- /
and, also reinforced the infantrymen. /
The fire was returned by the Ameri- |
can troops until perhaps 200 shots 4
had been exchanged Capt Paul Muel-
Ter district adjutant, hurried TO the
scene and made complete invesiga-
tion OF the shooting.
Capt. Veater Makes epOrt.
Capt s. Il. Veater, OF FL Paso po-
lice, made the following report rela-
tive 10 the shooting about 10 p m.
some Mexicans over the river about
half mile above the Santa Fe bridge
fired a few shots and the soldiers on
this side returned the fire. One shot
seemed 10 cali for another went
10 the bridge and sized up the situa-
tion. telephoning the military author
tiles across the river and asking them
what their motive was for firing on
this side They said they we're IN