The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-08-22
Believe Bandit Renteria Will
Be Caught Today.
-Four of His Followers Killed in
BIOckhouse Fight.
YANKS TO STAY IN MEXICO
VIII Search Another Week
Unless Outlaws Found.
Mexicans Killed by Americans
Now Total Five.

San Antonio, Tex, Aug. 22-Amer-
lean cavalrymen who yesterday killed
four Mexican bandits in the hills south
of Candelaria. Tex. resumed the hunt
soon after daybreak this morning, full
of hope that the remaining members
of the gang which kidnapped Lieuten-
ants Peterson and Davis would be run
down before noon. One bandit was
slain Wednesday by an American air
man, making the total number of dead
now five.
Capt Leonard MatIack. who led the
cavalry into the mountains in pursuit
of Renteria and his outlaws. reached
Maria last night by airplane and re-
ported to the results of his days oper-
atoms to Major General Dickman,
commander of the Southern depart
ment, who went there yesterday.
Charged the Fortress.
Matlack told Dickman the cavalry
men came upon the Renterians in
their adobe fortress in the wilds of
Mexico and that when the Mexicans
were surrounded they opened fire on
the Americans. Rifles had been placed
in port holes thru the thick adobe
walls, defending that hiding place
from all sides.
AS soon as the first Mexican shot
was Urea, Ine ClAAl bbC
place and had no difficulty in over
coming the opposition. Not an Amer
lean was wounded. Three or four
bandits fled from the hut and escaped
in the mountains. The officers do not
know just how many bandits were in
the hut The slain men We're identi-
ned as Jesus Janir and Francisco ia
mir and jose Fuentes. The fourth man
slain was ont known by any of the
al ny-+N
MatIack believes Renteria. who vas
not with the bandits WHO made the
stand against the Americans, will be
encountered today, when it is hoped
another hiding place will be found.
Stay Another Week.
Maria, Aug. 22.-The American
punitive expedition is making prog
ress in Mexico pursuing the bandits
who held Lieuts. Harold G.. Peterson
and Paul H. Davis. army ayiators, for
ransom, according to advices today
from the field. and reports that the
forces would be Withdrawn at once
were denied officially. No definite
time has been fixed for the withdraw
al but it is understood that the plan
of the campaign includes at least an
other weeks search thru the noun
tains for the Renteria gang.
The troops camped last night at a
place where there was plenty of wa
ter. The soldiers secuted the sur
rounding country turnout the day in
separate attachments but concentrat-
ed the camp at dark. The trails are
so rocky and steep that the pack
mules carrying supplies fell over cliffs
and several were lost. A number of
horses of Maj. c. C. Smiths command
also fell off the trail but none of the
horses's riders was injured.
The storms soakCu the blankets
and uniforms of the men, causing
many to sleep in wet clothes.
1t developed that the two prisoners
reported captured by Captain Matlack
were men killed in a block house
fight.
The American Red Cross sent an
automobile load of cigarets. chewing
gum and tobacco to the river for load
ing on pack mules going to the punt
tive expedition. Aviators loaded
planes with the same articles to take
to the cavalry troops today.