The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1919-08-20
Lieut.. II. 6. Peterson Held
In Mexico For Ransom

raids and cattle thefts have occurred
in this district.
Dispatches from San Antonio indi-
Gated that Col. William e. Johnston.
chief of staff Of the Southern depart
ment, declined to discuss the report of
the officers plight in any way. Cen
eral Erwin in Ell Paso issued an Off
cial statement, embodying only the
facts as related IN the message from
the ieutenants and declaring that
Colonel Langhorne was taking all the
necessary measures to secure the re-
lease of the aviators.
Officers in Conference
In San Antonio Maj. Gen. Joseph T.
Dicknfan commander OF the Southern
department and staff officers were In
conference, dispatches indicated.
General Dickman said reports received
indicated that the two airmen came
down at the little town of Pilares
which is on both sides Of the Rio
Grande. He declined to state what
steps had been taken to rescue the
men. He also said report of the in
.cident had been telegraphed to Wash
ington.
Lieutenants Peterson and Davis are
a part of the personnel Of the Fort
Bliss aviation corps, but were on de-
tached duty with the Bic. Bend district
military headquarters at Maria, Tex.
at the time they disappeared. They
left Maria last Sunday morning for
the usual patrol of the border dis
patches stated, planning TO follow the
north bank of the Rio Grande to the
end Of the district.
I 1t is believed by aviation officers
at Ell Paso that they confused the Con-
chos river, which flows into the Rio
! Grande near Preside, Texas. with the
Rio Grande, and followed the course
Of this river into the interior of Mex
leo. Another theory advanced here by
fellow aviators is that they were
forced to land, either on the Ameri-
can or Mexican side of the border in
the wild country of the Big Bend dis
trict and were made prisoners by the
Mexican bandits.
u. S. Soldiers May Cross Border
When it became known at Fort
Bliss last night that the aviators were
reported held by Mexican bandits,
there was much discussion among
army officers of the possibility of AM
erican troops crossing the border in
search of the bandits who were hold
ing the aviators prisoners. This was
Idiscredited by higher officers for two
reasons. The principal one advanced
was that the American aviators would
be killed if an expedition crossed in
pursuit of the bandits. The other
reason was that orders for expeditions
to cross the border IN the Big Bend
district apply only to the pursuit Of
bandits who have stolen property on
the American side and then only to
follow "hot trail"
Lieutenant Harold G. Peterson was
graduated from the high school in Red
wood Falls, MINI. Later his family
moved to Hutchinson. although the
boy left for Valparaiso university, Val
paraiso. Ind Lieutenant Peterson,
who is 25 years old, unmarried, was
about to be graduated from this school
when he enlisted in the aviation corps
shortly after the United States enter
ed the war. He was sent to Ellington
field where he was commissioned more
than 18 months ago and achieved q
wide reputation as stunt fier. He
was an instructor at Ellington field IN
til recently.
Besides Mr.. and Mrs. Peterson there
are two daughters in the family.
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