The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1918-04-01
VILLA OPERATING
nv CRAFTY MANNER
American Mining Men ielr o. His Depre-
dations and His Tricks on Mex
lean Federal Troops.

Juarez, Mexico, April Francisco
Villa continues TO play his fox like tricks
on the Mexican federal troops as he did
when he was "Pancho' Villa, the bandit,
and rode the Sierra Madre mountains of
western Chihuahua like Mexican Robin
| Hood.
| American mining men who had run
| the gauntlet OF Villas lines and reached
the border here on passenger train, the
windows OF which had been shot out by
Villas men, told the first connected story
of Villas operations around Canutillo,
Durango, just over the Chihuahua state
line, against the federal column which
pursued him from Jiminez with its 100
mounted dare-d
After the fight at Laguna de Estacada
chihuahua, Villa led his men southwest
toward the Rio Florido, where he had
hidden while General Pershing was pur-
suing him. There are bubbling hot
springs on the Rio Florido, where Villa
likes to battle and soak the rheumatism
and saddle soreness out of his limbs aft
er hard campaign. But, before he could
enjoy his private baths. in the Durango
river General Eduardo Hernandez and
General Francisco Gonzales closed in ON
him with two cavalry columns.
Pretending to flee before these advanc-
ing columns, Villa and his men dashed
through the little mountain town of Ca.
nutillo with the federal cavalrymen pur-
suing them few hours later Villas
little army disappeared over the ridge of
sandhill with the evening sun. The
federals went into camp on butte over
looking the town, intending TO resume
the pursuit at daybreak. Ii was moon
light night, and few sentries were post
ed custom not uncommon in Mexico.
Instead of continuing his flight, Villa
halted behind the first ridge, had all of
his men leave their hats in pile, then
wheeled his column and rode back toward
Canutillo. Scouts reported the location
of the federal camp, plainly visible i'll
the moonlight Whispered orders were
given that no one but those wearing
hats should be fired upon The attack
then began. With a war whoop which
was as terrifying as the famous rebel
yell, the Villa column swept down upon
the camp, shooting from the saddle at
every man who could be seen. In the con
fusion which followed the surprise night
attack the federal soldiers killed many
of their own men, installing them for
Villas men. After a sharp encounter,
Villa rode through Canutillo once more,
leaving small detachment there to hold
the town against the federals
There again he played one of his old
tricks. He had these men hide in the
adobe houses where they cut loop holes
facing the side from which the federal
attack was expected. The Villa men also
made all of the civilians crowd into these
houses and give vivas for Villa to make
the enemy believe the Villa force was
many times larger than it really was
The small Villa band succeeded in hold
ing off the federals until Villa could
lead his main column in circle and
strike the federal column from the rear.
Again the government troops were
slaughtered, the mining men said, and
many were made prisoners and later ex
ecuted.
These are only two of Villas bag Of
tricks. Another favorite one is TO send
his men against the enemy, then have
them retire in apparent disorder until
they reach canyon or other place easily
fortified by Villa. The pursuers are led
into this trap, and they are subjected to
a sweeping Gre from the rocks and are
usually snnihilated. This piece of native
strategy was used against the federsls
at San Andres. Chihuahua. again at Ro-
sario, Durango, and at Pederanales. Chi
huahus.
Villa has frequently forced federal tel
egraph operators to send misleading
messages directing troop trains to pro
coed to point where 4 trap was laid for
them This was done at Laguna, Chihus |
hus. and paymaster general and all Of
his guard killed. Villa always carries q |
operator with him TO sec that !
his orders are carried out and he Is not /
tricked. He has even called federal gen
erals on the long -distancc telephone or
sent them messages telling them to be-
ware Of Villa and claiming 10 be local 1
federal commander in the district from /
which the messages were sent.
Because Of these tricks, learned as a
bandit in the mountains. Villa has be-
coule ihe zahlect Of many wild tales Of ]
adventure in Northern Mexico. where he
i credited with bearing a charmed life.