The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1919-08-20
REDWOOD FALLS BOY CAPTURED
BY MEXICAN BANDITS WHO
THREATEN TO KILL
MONEY RUSHED TO BORDER
FATHER AND FRIENDS TELE-
GRAPH MONEY TO MEXICO
AT EARLIEST POSSIBLE

The following article, taken from
the Minneapolis Tribune of Monday
morning concerns Lieutenant Harold
G. Peterson, formerly of Redwood
Falls.
Facing death near the little village
OF Pllares, which lies along the Mexi-
can border on both sides of the Rio
Grande, Lieut.. Harold c. Peterson,
Hutchinson, Mimi, and Lieut.. Paul
IL. Davis, Strathmore, Calf, United
States army aviators, last night await
ed word that Sic, 900 ransom had been
supplied to rescue them from the
clutches of Mexican Villista bandits
according to dispatches from Washing
ton and the border. Unless $15, 900 n
gold is forthcoming today, they will be
killed.
Ayiat0rs Missing One Week
For more than week the aviators
have been missing. Yesterday ban
dit entered town in the Big Bend
district bringing message from the
captive officers stating that they had
been forced to make a landing near
the village, and that they were being
held for the ransom which must be
paid today.
The message was delivered to Col.
George Z. Langhorne, commanding Of
fcer of the Eighth cavalry in the Big
Bend district who Immediately wired
to Major General Joseph L. Dickman,
commander of the Southern depart
ment and to Samuel G. Peterson,
Hutchinson, father of Lieutenant
Peterson.
Father Arrives Here
Mr.. Peterson came to Minneapolis
last night seeking to enlist the aid of
Governor Burnquist, who is in Salt
Lake City, and other state officials,
in the effort to rush ransom money
for the release of his son. On his
way to Minneapolis he wired Major
Walton, commander of the first bomb
ing group to Ell Paso, Texas, Score
tary of War Baker and Senator Knute
Nelson.
Colonel Langhorne relayed the mes
sage from Lieutenant Peterson to his
father at Hutchinson. The officer de-
clared that he was in high spirits and
confident that the War department
would provide the ransom and release
him. However, concluded by say
ing Goodbye, as they mean business.
Love and don't worry
Peterson Wires Son
Messages of comfort were sent to
his son by Mr.. Peterson. Making
every effort to comply with request of
bandits, but get more time. Impos-
sible to get money there Monday" was
the first telegram, followed by a sec
ond wire stating that the money had
been forwarded.
Replies to his queries were received
by Mr.. Peterson last night. One from
Major Walton was as follows:
Full information received here.
Government is handling matter. Await
developments.
WALTON"
Later telegram from Colonel Lang
horne at Maria gave the following in.
formations:
Your telegram received and have
endeavored to send your message to
Our authorities have not yet author
lied payment. Shall notify you of re-
suit.
aLANGHoRNE."
Courier Takes PetersOn's Reply
A courier who is familiar with the
district opposite the Big Bend was OBJ
tanned, dispatches from FL Paso stated
last night, and was sent into Mexico
In an effort to get Mr.. Peterson's re-
ply and one from Davis, parents to
the officers before morning.
N. 4
made it is understood the ransom will
be paid TO an agent of the bandits
this morning, and it is believed the
courier carrying the kilograms to the
aviators also was authorized to inform
the bandit leader of this fact.
A message from former Villa fol-
lower. now a member of the bandit
company, threatening to kill the
American aviators if any evidence Of
military movements to search for them
were seen on the American side of.
the border, were received late yester-
day, dispatches from Maria asserted.
This message was addressed to DaW-
kins Fitzpatrick.
Ask Time Postponement
Fitzpatrick sent message from
Candelaria late last night urging them
to postpone the time limit fixed in
the demand for payment Of the ransom
until Wednesday because of the delay
in receiving their demand at the bor-
der. it was announced IN Maria.
Preside de Pilares, where the avia-
tors were reported, IN the message 70
the Southern department, 70 have
landed. is 40 miles southwest OF Maria,
Texas, on the Rio Grande. The primes
pal settlement is on the Mexican side
Of the border but there are few scat
tered houses and native ranches on the
American side. This is the most rug
Qed part OF the Big Bend district where
the Rio Grande runs through canyon