El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-08-20
BANDIT CHASE
IS CONTINUED
0. S. Cavalrymen Have Big
Job Hunting Aviators'
Captors After Storm.

mountain trail. the American nvi-
ators observed three MeVicansi
mounted riding south The plane
swept down low To investigate.
The bandits opened fire with rifles,
bullets uuncturinE the wings OF
the American machine. Observer
Cooper returned the fire and saw
enc horse and rider fall. 4 short
time aftcrsvurd one horse was OBJ
served standing without a rider.
The third hurseman dfsmOunted
and, climbing up the side Of the
mountain. disappeared Neither
aviator WAS hit.
Reports from all troops in the field
in Mexico indicate progress is being
made in searching the mountain cam
yons and passes for the bandits who
held aviators Peterson and Davis.
lIexicans Meet Americans.
Reports from Preside. delayed be-
cause Of storms that put field tele-
phones out Of commission. told Of a
meeting in the field yesterday be-
tween Gen Pruneda, his officers and
American commanders Of the punitive
expedition. Following the conference
american troops continued in pursuit
Of the bandits. A meeting is scned-
uled again for today
The Mexican commander Of the
O1inaga district expressed a desire TO
cooperate with the American troops
in catching the bandits.
That the Americans are getting the
cooperation OF the Mexican federals
was shown today when a message was
received by Col. Langhorne from the
Mexican consul az Preside. Tex, CIV
ing information obtained by Carranza
scouts in the OjinaEa district as 10 the
possible whereabouts Of the bandits
who held the American flyers.
Reports from the field In Mex
leo today told how American
troops spent the night in the Mex
fcun mountains. The troopers
slept under a stariess sky, in cun-
yuns, ON trails, wherever they
happened TO be when &c grew TOO
dark TO continue their pursuit.
Sentries were stationed mt
entrances 10 canyons. and Mt high
points trails TO prevent an am
bush or surprise attack II the
bandits reassemblcd in force dur
ing the night. No fires were per-
mitted. Their horses were
pickefed in hollow squares and
the men, rolled in blankets slept
beside their mounts with rifles
and pistols nj their sides. PicAets
patroied the temporary camps.
Pack mules were unDurdened for
the night and the field wireless set I
was rugged for making reports TO
headquarters Before dark airplanes I
swooped low over the camps. dropping I
orders for the night and for move /
ments today
Officers were in whispered confer /
ences during the night discussing or ]
cers and planning the next days op- 4
erations
The troopers. tired out from their 4
long. hard ride, slept as soon as they
finished a cold supper Of field rations. ]
Motor truck TRANS are plying be
tW cen headquarters here and field ]
bases on the Rio Grande, where pack
trains transport supplies an fodod 10
the columns in the field.
Possibilities that the American
soldiers already have had their
first sziEmish with the bandits
WAS indicated last night when
rWo uViators returned TO the
American side with bullet holes in
the plane Of their machine and
report that they had been at
taeked by bandit gang OF three
meNicanss one OF whom they be-
lieved they killed with machine
=un bullets Another was believed
TO have been wounded and the
third put TO flight
-Four alrplanes, which arrived last i
night from Fort Bills. at FL PasO. 10 i
augment the air protection Of the I
Eighth cavalry in Mexico, today set /
Up a liaison with the troopers and /
aided in securing the hills. arroyas /
and canl ols IN pursuit OF the bandits.
The rains last night are believed 10 I
have wiped out the trails of the band
its. but il was not without its ad- /
FlntaEeE, however. for the sOttened J
condition OF the earth would make 4
fresh trails, more easily observable /
than the trails previous TO the rains. 7
Bandits Get $500.
The ransom actually paid the ban 4
dts for the release Of aYiatOrs Davis \
and Peterson amounted TO S850o ac- 4
cording TO H. H. Fenneu, Maria 4
banker, who arrived here Tuesday
afternoon
II was Fennell who took the SIS. 0Oo /
ransom 70 Candelaria on Monday. A I
recount Of the money brought back I
by Capt. 1IalacIz after the release Of j
the aviaturs showed $500 Of the orig ]
NAL amount remained. according to 4
FeunelL
seek To Avoid Conflict.
Washington, D. c.. Aug. 20.-To l
avoid possible contact with American !
troops on the trail Of bandits in north I
ern Mexico. Mexican forces were not 4
sent after the band which captured /
Lieuts. Davis and Peterson, the war I
department was advised in telegram Z
sent yesterday by MAI Gen Dickman, I
commanding the southern department. I
The message was made public late
sOday
Movement Of Eighth cavalry
troops into Mexico 10 pursue ban
dts yesterday inauEurnfed "a new
f'i--I- according To officials here.
and heneeforth incidents similnr
1a she avintors' seizure viii he
handled without gloves"
There is every evidence that all
preparations have been made to meet
future depredati0ns with a swift