Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1919-08-20
CROSS
MEXICAN BORDER
ON A hot TRIAL.
Punitive Expedition Sent in
Pursuit of Bandits Who
Held American Avia-
tors for Ransom.


bandits were overtaken and CAP
tured by American troops.
Fennell said the bandits carried
high-powered rifles in their hands
when Matlack escaped with Davis.
The Mexicans were so astonished
at the nerve of the officer they
failed to shoot until the horse car
Tying the aviator and the cavalry
commander disappeared across the
river in the darkness.
Refused to Wait for Signal.
1t developed today that Captain
Matlack refused to wait for firing
of the signal flare from the Mexican
mountain and crossed the liver at
LBS a. m, after the hour agreed
for the firing of the flares had
passed without a signal. Captain
Matlack became worried over the
fate of the avlators and decided to
cross alone to the bandit rendez-
vous and see what had happened.
Soon after Captain Matlack had
crossed the river to Mexico Fennell
saw the signal flare from til. Mex
lean side fired and Fennell fired a
fare from the American side notify
ing the Mexicans that Captain Mat
lack had crossed.
Lieutenants Peterson and Davis
were anxious to return with the
troops. The men had not been
shaved for nine days. Their uni
forms were muddy, snagged by cac-
tus and wrinkled from swimming
the river.
According to the men, Renteria
failed to carry out his plan to COM
mandeer their uniforms to take to
his leader as evidence that the avia-
tors had been killed.
From descriptions given by the
aviators the bandit leader was Jesus
Renteria. we'll known in the Big
Bend Ojinaga district, and not Chi
CO Cano, although Renteria may
have been operating under Cano's
orders. as Cano is known to be in
the district opposite Candelaria.
According to reports, Renteria, who
lost a leg and an arm i'll train
wreck in Kansas, wears artificial
limbs. The aviators said Renteria
was the Mexican who negotiated
with Captain Matlack until midnight
last night regarding details of the
delivery of the ransom.
Comb Mountains for Bandits.
United States cavalry troops
spread out over a wide extent of
Mexican country south of the Rio
Grande today and tombed the
mountains for bandits.
The bandits, with five hours and
a half start on the American punitive
expedition. are believed to have scat
tered in the mountain passes and
canyons. 1t will be necessary to
search every square mile OF the
rough country below the border, in
the opinion of officers, to find the
men.
+ American aviators who left the
flying field here early today were
scouting the entire Ojinaga district.
Because of the nature of the coun-
try, it is believed, it will be diff
cult task to locate the bandits from
the air.
Mexican Troops on Guard.
Mexican federal troops from OIL
maya are acting to prevent a clash
between the American forces and
Carranza's men.
1t is not known how many are
in the bandit band. Lieutenants
Davis and Peterson saw six men.
There we're 20 other bandits at a
ranch where the bandits stopped.
The American avlators were told the
band numbered 90.
The bandits had Americana made
ammunition and gave the aviators
some as souvenirs.
The reported appearance of Chico
Cano and other small bands of out
laws along the Mexican side of the
river yesterday is believed to have
been connected with Rentera's &C
Invites.
Ali suspicious Mexicans picked up
by the troops on the Mexican side
will be questioned closely to estab-
fish their identity.
Elmer Donnel of St. Louis, d.
rector of relief for the American
Red Cross, is here arranging for
nurses, ambulances and surgical
dressings for punitive expedition
troops.
Fennell today told the first con-
nected story of events preceding the
crossing of the American aviators
to the United States today. He out
lined preliminary negotiations Mon
day between Captain Matlack and |
the Mexican brother-in-law of Rem
terra, who acted as go-between.
Fennell said the bandits insisted
The delivery of the aviators be made
after dark so flares might be seen |
The go-between crossed to San An
tonic, chihuahua, opposite Candle
aria. and selected the spot where the |
aviators were to be delivered. 1t
was at an old cottonwood tree a mile
and a half south of San Antonio. The |
yo-between then returned to the
American side and said arrange
had been completed.
When the flares agreed upon
Jailed to show after midnight Cap
tain Matlack crossed, He was gone
more than half an hour, returning
with Lieutenant Peterson. As he
-ode into Candelaria Captain Mat
ack said:
Heres one of them. thank God"
Returning to the old cottonwood,
'ary to the carrying out of the
reaty, | think"