Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1919-08-19
Money Raised at Cowboy Mass Meeting to Be Repaid Donors
 By U. $.
NEWS FROM OFFICERS
 IS EAGERLY AWAITED
Army Guard is Given Bank President Who is in Charge of Funds To Be Paid the
 Bandits.

Maria, Tex, Aug. R.
 Aviators H. G. Peterson ara
 Paul H. Davis. hcIr prisonc..
 by Mexican ban nts hear
 Candelaria, Texas, are expected
 to reach the border tomorrow,
 it was said by army officers
 here tonight. COuricrs sant
 to the bandit camp hn&t right
 are reported tO have reached
 the camp informing the haa,
 dts that the Sl5,U00 ransom
 would be paid.
 Fl Paso, Tex, Aug. 18.-Assur- ances was anxiously awaited along the border tonight of the safety of Lieutenants Paul H. Davis and liar old G. Paterson, held by Mexican ban dits for $15,000 ransom.
 ized by the United States govern ment was expected to be made late today to an agent of the bandits at or near Candelaria, Texas.
 The two army fliers are being held prisoners south of the Mexican bor- der, opposite Candelaria, it was stat ed, but what arrangements had been made to follow the payment of the ransom fund at Candelaria, or how soon the two officers might be ex- pected at the border was not an announced.
 The money was taken to Candel- aria today by H. M. Fennell, vice. president of the Maria bank, under a United States army military guard. The fund was raised last night at 8 cowboy camp meeting in the Big Bend district, but the subscriptions will be returned to the donators, it was announced, following receipt of authorization today from Major Gen. eral Joseph T. Dickman, commander of the southern department, to foot the ransom.
 Aviators on detached service, at Big Bend headquarters also left Mar fla today for Candelaria, presumably to keep a lookout for their return ing comrades.
 Fennel was authorized by wealthy cattlemen of the Big Bend district to draw $15,00O in cash from his bank early today and to proceed to Can- delaria, Texas, to deliver this sum to Dawkins Fitzpatrick, for the ransom of Davis and Paterson.
 This sum was subscribed in fifteen minutes yesterday at the Bloys' cow boys camp meeting in progress near Fort Davis, Texas. The ransom was demanded by today on threat of kill ing the two aviators, according to 8 message sent to the border by Mex ican courier yesterday and signed wit hthe names of the aviators. This message was delivered to Captain Leonard F. Matlack, commander of the Eighth cavalry troop stationed at Candelaria, and was at once sent to Colonel George T. Langhorne. dis trict commander, by field wireless. A courier was dispatched to the bandit camp late last night with an appeal from Fitzpatrick to extend the time limit for the payment of the ransom until Wednesday because of the late arrival of the messenger yes- terday and the inability to obtain the cash demanded on Sunday. according to announcements made here. According to reports brought from the river there seems to be little doubt there that the bandit band is led by Chico Cano, who has been charged with many raids and killing in the Big Bend district, including the kill jng of Texas Ranper Hulan and Joe Sitters, line rider, several years ago.
 Cano has been attached to the Car ranza garrison in Oiinaga and has also operated with Villa but has been acting independently as bandit for more than yaar FeelinO against the bandits is high in the Big Bend district todav-
 Officers Active.
 San Antonio. Texas. Aug. 18.-Of- ficers of tho Southern danartment at Fort Sam Houston tonight were anx- ;ouslv awaiting news that T.iartanants Paul H. Davis and Harold c. pater- son. prisoners of Mexican handits in the canyons sorth If the Texas "Big Rend" district had hAAn released upon pavrnent nf the St5O0 rarscre de- -,ardnd. Mai. Gen. Joseph '. Hickman dnrartrent rnmmandnr. who had re- m,;red on dntv all last ni~ht. was s+ill "+ hnadr"artr~s at late hnuv tor;eht. keenino in nAvsnnal tounh with ever-, me-ea~e relntino tn tho 4 aviators. No cff;cial stctamant how- evo- ~,as aro;,able aarlv tonight. ,i While declining to say who would ~