Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1919-08-22
AMERICAN TROOPS
CHASE MEXICANS
Cavalry and Air Bombers Hunt
Bandits in Mountains Below
the Border.
STORM AIDS FLEEING BAND
Expedition Advances on Wide Line
Freed AViators Lead Punitive
Forces Across River-Oniy
$500 Ransom Paid.


Maria, Tex, Aug. 21-Spread out
fan-shaped over wide stretch of
Mexican country south of the Rio
Grande, Enited States cavalry troops,
aided by airmen in bombing planes as
scouts, combed the mountains for the
bandits who held for ransom two
American aviators.
After the forward dash over the hor-
Ser tae troops probably are handicap
ped by storm which was reported in
messages by field telephone to be rag
Ing in the mountains below the boF-
der.
II was feared the torrential rains
would oblterate trails left by the ban
dts. The expeditionary force for n
time moved forward in the face Of high
winds, according to The reports.
The two lieutenants for whom ram
som was demanded, and who were re-
leased, led the Americans in their
quest of the bandits, Both sent mes
sages to their families.
With nearly six hours start on the
American punitive expedition the BAN
dts are believed TO have scattered in
the mountain passes and canyons. and
II probably viii be necessary to search
Every square nile of the rough coun-
try below the border, in the opinion of
military men.
Despite the expected difficulty in lo-
eating the bandits from the air. Amer
lean aviators left the flying field here
and secuted the entire Olinaga district.
II was not known how many are In
the bandit band. Lieutenant Davis
and Lieutenant Peterson said they saw
six men. There were 20 other bandits
at the ranch where the bandits stopped.
| Arrangements for nurses. ambu-
lances and surgical dressings for the
punitive expedition troops are being
made by Elmer Donnell of ST. Louis,
| for use in case OF emergency.
II. NJ. Fennell, banker of this city,
arrived and announced that the
amount Of ransom actually paid for
release Of the airmen was $500. Fem
nell took the $4,000 demanded to
Candelaria. He declared recount of
the money brought hack by Captain
Matlack after release of the avIators
showed SG.500 remained. The money.
I'm $50 bills. was deposited in a bank
here.
Fennell told the first connected story
Of events preceding the crossing OF
the American aviatCrs to, the Unite
States. lie outlined preliminary nego-
tlatlons Monday between Captain Mat
lack and the Mexican brother-in-law of
Renteria, who acted as go-between.
Fennel said the bandits insisted the
delivery OF the aviators be made after
dark so flares might be seen. The go-
between crossed TO San Antonio, Chi
huahua. opposite Candelaria, and se-
lected the spot where the aviators
were to be delivered.
II was at an old cottonwood tree, a
mile and half south of San Antonio.
The go-between then returned to the
American side and said arrangements
had been completed.
When the flares agreed upon failed
TO show after midnight, Captain Mat
lack crossed. He was gone more than
half an hour. returning with Lieuten-
ant Peterson.
Returning to the old cottonwood,
Captain MatIack told Lieutenant Da-
Wis 10 get on behind. Then the cap
tain spurred his horse without deliver
Ing the balance Of the money.