Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-08-18

today.
FL Paso. Texas, Aug. 1S.-Every
effort was being made today to
expedite the rescue OF Lieutenants
Paul II. Davis and Harold c. Pc
terson, aviators OF the United
States, who are held for a ransom
of $4,000 by Mexican bandits.
somewhere in Mexico south of the
Big Bend district OF west Texas.
While no official announcement
was made by the military authori-
ties, it was understood that the
ransom money had been arranged
for at a local bank and that the
messenger would be started-dur-
ing the day for Candelaria, Texas,
where he would receive instruc-
tions about handing over the gold
to an agent of the bandits. Cattle
men attending the cowboy camp
meeting at Fort Lewis, Texas, also
raised $4,000 in IS minutes Sunday
and placed it at the disposal Of tho
military authorities.
Must Pay by Tonight.
After eight days of suspens-
since the aviators patrolling the
border disappeared, messages were
received by military authorities at
Maria, Texas. demanding payment
Of the ransom in gold to Dawkins
Fitzpatrick, an American Of CandC-
laria before tonight or the Amer
leans would be killed, according 20
the message. Another message
signed by the aviators also accom-
panied the demand for the ransom,
in which they stated practically the
same facts as contained in the mes
sage from the bandit leaders.
They also sent messages TO their
relatives in Strathmore, Cal, and
Hutchinson, Mimi, urging them to
see that the ransom was received
at once.
VIII XIII if e. S. Acts.
Another message from Can
delaria, addressed to Fitzpatrick,
and signed by one OF the bandits,
declared they would kill the avla-
tors if there were any signs that
the American military commanders
were preparing to pursue the ban
dts. Replies were received from
the parents of Lieutenant Peterson
stating that they would furnish the
ransom demanded for release of
their son and his companion II tho
government failed to put up the
money, according to messages from
Maria late last night. These re-
plies were Immediately given 10 n
courier, who attempted 10 reach the
rendezvous OF the bandits.
It is also believed that he car
ried assurances to both aviators
that the ransom would be paid.
Are Near BOrderl
This and other developments have
led army officers here TO believe the
bandits are not far from the border
and are holding tho American avia-
tors in some out OF tho way canyon
until tho ransom IS paid. Nothing
has been heard or tho scout biplhno
which the men few whom they were
captured,
The Big Bend district and the
OkinagR district opposite II IN Mex
leo Is ono OF the widest stretches
OF country along the Texas-MaXico
border. The Rim Rock near Cam
dolaria Is n gigantic escarpement
standing on edge, like mammoth
clam shell. The Rio Grnnde flows
through canyons and IN great
curves along this part OF the bor-
der, which has long been noted for
its bandit activities. Il IL over this
same Rim Rock near Candelarla
that the Mexican bandits rode 20
raid the BTite ranch Christmas day,
1917, when they caught tho Amer
lean stage driver going 20 Cande-
laria. hanged him and cut his
throat Chlca Cana, one Of the
leaders IN this raid, is a member Nf
the hand believed 10 be holding tho
aytators. according TO advlces from
Maria.
Father Tries to Get Money.
st. Paul. Aug. is-sam G.. Peter
son, father OF Lieutenant Harold a.
Peterson, who with Lieutenant
Paul II, Davis ia held for Si5, 1000
ransom by Mexican bandits. called
on Governor Burnquist today 20
learn what must be done including
the required ransom