The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1919-12-26
j. 5. AV|ATORS
MURDERED,
WITNESS SAYS
'Testifies to Finding Bod
les of.Two Men in
Mexico

FL PAso. Tex. Dec. 2t--Iicutcn-
ants Cecil Connolly and Frederick
Maierhousc. American aviators who
lost their lives after being forced 1,
descend In Lower California. Mexico.
were murdered. according 20 test
mony before the senate sub-commit-
tee investigating Mexican affairs given
here today by Joe Allen Richards.
Richards, an American, discovered
the bodies September n last on the
beach OF the Bnya DE Los Angeles
when he went ashore from n little
Mexican steamer to aid IN rcplcnish-
iug the water supply Of the boat. Ac-
cordinE to his testimony today Rich
ards wna arrested by the Mexican au-
thoritics at Santa ROsalie when ne
arrived there September 20 Tor his
action In reporting the discovery OF
the bodies TO the master OF the Amer
p lean steamer froVldoncia, which was
IN the harbor OF Santa Rosalie at the
thine.
lie said he was kept In a cement
cell for more than a day. Before he
n was put In the cell Richards said, he
was stripped OF all clothing. Richards
testified nt n hearing conducted By
Major Dan NJ Jackson OF ~ Pasn.
secretary gf the senate subcommittee.
None OF the senate members OF the
committee was present.
How lie IOund Bo,iics.
richards said he first discovered an
offensive odor while walking tho
beach waiting the Mexican crew Of tho
boat ON which he was travelling to re.
turn from spring with their wate-
casks lie saw mound and digging
with shell. uncovered skull. He
C1n;iaUed his exploration ana came
upon leather boot Pulling AZ the
boot he uncovered the entire body ana
continued work brought the other
body to light.
Richards accompanied the oNpedi-
tion that went to Lower taiifornis. .
aboard the United States destroyer
Ward from sun Diego to recover thc
bodies and airplane and said testimony
given to army and navy Officers
' aboard the Ward by McNicnn residents
of the country and by the crew Of
the Mexican steamer Esperanto was
10 the effect the Americans were
murdered. Equipment of the airplaro
WIS found aboard the Esperanto when
that boat was oVerhnulod and made
fast tu the Ward. according to Rich
ards The alrplnuc was found twenty
miles from the bodies.
The Esperanto was soizcd when "A
McAiCan ashore told American uiticer4
this boat had brought the aviHturs TO
the bay tor water from their air
IluuV.
Wild animals had attacked tho
bodies OF the Hviutors. according To
Richards. who were buried only under
FiA inches Of sand when he foun !
them. Flesh from the upper part OF
tholr bodies had been eaten away, he
said.
skull Crushed.
In tho rough grave Richards satd
he found "a bar uf iron two feet long
The skull Of Waterhuusc had bcon
crushed he said. and Couuolly's body
and clothing Indicated hu had bcCu
stabbed
richards related warnings he al
legged were made hN the Mexican cap
tain OF the boat on which he travelled
down the Gult of California against
reporting discovery OF the bodies
Richards told of the notes 10 their
families LETT by the aNiutors and
markings on the airplane wings which
Indicated thoy had been there 7 dave
and had been forced to drink water
from their radiator, all the Time stead
~ losing strength hnd hope Of
rescue.