Omaha daily bee., 1919-08-31
INTERCEPTED
mex. COURIER
TOLD OF LOST
YANk FLYERS
By Holding Up Messages U. S
Officers Got First Intima-
tions That Men Were
Held for Ransom.

Malta, IGN, aug. So'-HH lHtSI
cepted courier carrying messages
from Lieuts. Paul H. Davis of
Strathmore, Cal, and Harold G.
Peterson, Hutchinson, Mimi. Amer
lean aviators held by bandits in
Mexico, brought the first intima-
ton to American army officers that
the aviators were held for ransom,
it became known today.
Following receipt of this infor-
nation things began to break"
fast along the border, the ransom
was arranged, an American punitive
expedition penetrated into the re-
public to the south, five bandits
were slain, nine were captured and
the American troopers withdrew on
the sixth day of their pursuit, hav-
ing lost the "hot trail" of the BAN
dts in the rain.
Left for Patrol.
The story OF the American expe-
dition goes back to Sunday, August
10. for its beginning. On that day,
Lieutenants Davis and Peterson left
Royce field for the usual patrol duty
along the river. The first informa
ton that the aviators were in Mex
leo came in the form of report
brought in by Mexican that their
wrecked airplane had been found on
the upper Conchos river.
~ On Sunday. August II, Capt.
Leonard II. Matlock, in command
at Candelaria. Tex, intercepted
courier carrying messages from the
aviators to Dawkins Fitzpatrick,
storekeeper at Candelaris, according
to Col. George T. Langhorne. These
messages were written by the avia-
tors at the command of Jesus Rem
terra, bandit leader, operating oppo-
site the Big Bend district. The
bandit demanded $4,000 ransom by
Monday, (the day following) or the
aviators would be killed.
Colonel langhorne determined
upon a plan of action to rescue the
aviators without payment of ram
som if possible. Maj. James P.
Yancey was gi"en command of the
expedition by Colonel Langhorne.
Decide to Pay Ransom.
Meantime it was decided to pay
the ransom demanded. The cattle
men at Bloys Cowmen's camp meet
ing near Fort Davis raised the
amount of ransom in IS minutes
during a mems prayer meeting Sum-
day afternoon. The money was
taken to the river by H. M. Fennell,
Maria banker.
Early Tuesday morning, August
10, Captain Matlack crossed the Dor
der with the $4,000 subscribed by
the cowboys. When a fire signal
was flashed the Mexicans brought
Lieutenant Peterson forward. Cap
tain Matlack delivered part of the
ransom money and brought Peter
son across the border at lis a. m.
Then he returned for Lieutenant
Davis. The latter was delivered to
him, but Matlack did not deliver the
ransom, Instead he escaped with
Davis. :,
Captain Matlack later announced
he had overheard a plot by the ban
dts to kill both himself and Davis.
Crossed Border Tuesday.
The American troops crossed to
Mexico at Candelaria, 1ndio and
Ruidosa at $40 Tuesday morning,
going in three columns over the
steep passes and reuniting in the
mountains for camp Tuesday night.
Three troops of the Fifth cavalry,
attached m the Rig Bend district,
under Maj. c. c. Smith, Maj. ?: K:
Frank and Capt. ]. X. Coldwell OF
the Fifth cavalry joined the expedi-
ton and took an active part IN the
bandit pursuit. A machine gun
troon under Lieut.. P. R. Upton OF
Preside, Tex, joined one Of the col
umns crossing the border. Capt.
Truman Boudindt took Troop u IN
at lndio, with nothing to eat all
night. ... g.. a..
Adding to the difficulties of the
expedition, heavy rainstorm broke
Tuesday, obliterating the trail lett
by the bandits. The fresh trail lett
bv the bandits was more easily foi-
lowed after the storm. however. :,
The pursuit was continued
throughout Tuesday and Wednes-
dav. the troops sleeping under the
sk;es when darkness fell. Natives
in villages through which the Amer
leans passed would not give infor-
nation, fearing death at the hands
of the bandits il they revealed the
approximate location OF the band.