The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-08-18
AVIATORS HELD
FORBICRANSOM
Mexican Bandits Demand
$4,000, Which Must Be
Paid Today.
RESCUERS PLAY FOR TIME
Pathetic Message Received
by Father of One of
Captiyes,
RESCUERS PLAY FOR TIME

icials here today to secure more
time In which to get to Mexican
bandits who are holding Lieuts. Paul
H. Davis and Harold G. Peterson, OF
the United States army aviation
corps, the $4,000 which the brigands
demand by today for their release,
A message received by headquarters
of the aero unit at Fort Bliss last
night from the two aviators stated
that the brigands would put them to
death today unless the money was
Forthcoming. Immediately after Brig
Gen. James b. Erwin published a
statement reciting the message from
the airmen, plans were put under
way to raise the ransom, cowboys
and cattlemen at n camp meeting at
Fort Davis subscribed the $4,000 In
less than fifteen minutes. Tney We're
notified, however. that Gen. Erwin
himself would take care of the ran
rom. At the same time a message
was received by Col. Langhorne, COM
manding at Maria, from S, g. Peter
son, of Hutchinson, Mimi, father of
' Lieut.. Peterson, stating that the
amount demanded by the bandits had
been forwarded to Maria by him. An
earlier message from the father had
read: Making every effort to COM
ply with request Of bandits, but get
more time. Impossible to get money
there Monday"
| These messages were in answer TO
wire from his son, relayed through
Candelaria by Dawkins Fitzpatrick, a
storekeeper to whom the bandits de-
mand the money be paid, and Col.
Langhorne at Maria.
Message From captives.
The message to the father said:
Davis and myself had forced
landing In Texas on border. Were
| captured by Villista Mexican bandits
and are being held for $4,000 ransom
to be paid to Dawkins Fitzpatrick,
storekeeper in Candelaria, Tex, not
| later than Aug. IS or we will be
killed. Correspond with secretary Of
war, Maj. Walton, First bombing
group, Ell Paso. and DR.. Warren b.
| Davis, Strathmore, Cal. l am In good
health and spirits, as I am sure war
department will meet ransom. II not.
good-by, as they mean business. Love
and don't worry.
HAROLD G. PETERSON"
! Col Langhorne replied to Peter
sons father that every effort would
be made to get his message to his
son. Langhorne's wire to the father
also stated that army authorities had
not yet at that time authorized paw
ment OF the ransom, but that the
parents would be kept notified OF de-
yciopments.
Plead for limo.
IN the meantime. Dawkins Kill
patrick, at the request of army au-
thorlties, had sent a message to the
bandits urging them to postpone the
time limit for the payment of the
ransom. as the money was being
raised, but owing to the late receipts
or their demands it might be impos-
slnle TO get 1t to them at the time
prescribed. '''
All movements by the army in regard
10 the release of the two aviators are
being closely guarded. Kilpatrick re-
! SelVed message from the famous ban
ult mat II any preparations for an at
Tempt Dy the army to rescue the mon
were observed, the aviators would be
put to death Immediately.
me alrmen had been missing since
last sunday. when they started out on
patrol of the Big Bend section.
While no Official announcement ros
MADE by the military authorities. II was
understood that the ransom money bsd
u peen arranged for at local bank and
,hdt messenger would be started dur
ing tne Gay Tor Candelaria, Tex. where
ne would receive instructions nhout
handing over the gold to an agent ~
.he bandits. Cattlenen attending n
n,owpoy camp meeting at Fort Deyis
eA'' also raised $15 900 in fifteen min,
ntes sunday and placed 1t at the dis
poSd' oi tne military authorities.
E'oht Days OF Suspense,
4, AFTER eight days OF suspense, since
the aviators patroling the border dise
appeared, messages were received NV
the military authorities at Maria. Toy
yesterday demanding payment OF the
ransom In gold to Hawkins Kilpa trick
OF Candelaria, Tex, before tonight. or
Inc me americans would be killed, accord
ing 10 the message. Another MESSAGE
signed by the aviators accomnanIeS r. r.,
demand for the ransom, In which thnv
stated practically the same facts as
Johtalhed JoI In the message from the BAN
dit leader.
-, Signed by Bandits.
lney also sent messages to their reIa-
ives ives IN Strathmore, Cal. and Hutchin-
SON Mimi, urging them to see TINT tho
ransom be raised at once. Anotbar
message was later sent to Candelario
rex, addressed to Hawkins Kilpntrick
an american. and signed by one OF the
Dandlt leaders. saying they would XIII
the aViators II there were any signs
tnat the American military forces were
f',aIsk p,UpaIl lik 10 pursue the bandits. Replies
were received from the parents of Iieut
Ietefsoh' stating they would furnish the
ransom demanded for release NJ tbnIr
son ana his companion II the govrrn-
lnent failed to furnish the money mr.
roruins roIis 70 messages from Maria. These
repnes were Immediately given 10
courier who attempted to reach tbo
bandit rendezvous south of tbe bordnr 1,o
whether he succeeded was not kno,yr
here or at Maria TODAY.
Bandits Near Border,
Developments In the case bova Ica
oilcers here to believe the bandits are
not far from the border ana are hold.
1s the American aviators In some out
Vi the way canyon until the ransom is
paid' whereupon they viii release thor
ana permit them to 20 to the horde
,Nothlng has been heard of the scout
pipIahe which. the men flew when thev
were captured. '''U'
Ihe Big Bend district and the Oiinapo
utIstrIct opposite 1t in Mexico is one%of
me widest stretches Of country in tbe
IeNas- MEXICO border. Tho Rim Rocls
near Candelaria, Is n gigantic escarp,
ment. standing on edge Ike cIor,
shell. The Rio Grande flows tbro,,gh
CANYONS and in great curves along tbis
part OF the border, which has long heen
noted for Its bandit activities, II has
over this same Rim Rock, near Candle.
Iaria' that the Mexican bandits rode TO
rald the Brite ranch Christmas day-
1917. when they caught the America y
stage driver going to Candelaria. hanged
MIN and cut his throat. Chico Cnno,
one OF the leaders In this raid, Is
member of the band believed to he hold
ing the aviators, according to advices