Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-08-19
BANKER AUTHORIZED
TO DELIVER AMOUNT

MARIA, Texas, Aug. 1S.-Vice
President H. M. Fennell, of the Mar
ia State bank, was uthorized by
wealthy cattlemen of the Big Bend
district to draw $4,000 in cash from
Mss sbank early TODAY and Ito pro-
coed to Candelaria, Texas, to deliver
this sum to Dawkins Fitzpatrick, for
the ransom of Lieutenants Paul H.
Davis and Harold G. Peterson,
American aviators held for ransom
by bandits in Mexico.
The authorization for the payment
of the ransom was received from Ma
jor General Joseph T. Dickman, COM
mander of the southern department.
Ell PASO, Tex, Aug. 18.-Every
effort was being made today to
expedite the rescue of Lieutenants
Paul H. Davis and Harold G. Peter
son, aviators of the United States
army, who are held for ransom of
$4,000 by Mexican bandits some
where in Mexico south of the Big
Bend district of west Texas.
After eight days of suspense
since the aviators patrolling the
border disappeared, messages were
received by military authorities at
Maria, Tex, yesterday demanding
payment of the ransom in gold to
Dawkins Fitzpatrick, of Candelaria,
Tex, before tonight or the Ameri-
cans would be killed, according to
the message.
Another message signed by the avn
ators accompanied the demand for
the ransom in which they stated
practically the same facts as con-
tanned in the message from the ban
dit leader.
They also sent the messages to
their relatives in Strathmore, Cal,
and Hutchinson, Mimi, urging them
to see that the ransom was raised at
once. Another message was later
sent to Candelaria, addressed to Daw-
kins Fitzpatrick, an American, and
signed by one of the bandit band say
ing they would kill the aviators if
there were any signs that the Amer
lean military forces were preparing
to pursue the bandits. Replies were
received from the parents of Lieu
tenant Peterson stating that they
would furnish the ransom demanded
for release of their son and his COM
panion if the government failed to
furnish the money, according to mes
sages from Maria. These replies were
Immediately given to a courier who
attempted to reach the bandit rem
devious south of the border. Whether
he succeeded was not known here or
at Maria early today. Developments
in the case have led army officers
here to believe the bandits are not
far from the border and are holding
the American aviators in some out
of-the-Way canyon until the ransom
is paid, whereupon they will release
them and permit them to go to the
border. Nothing has been heard OF
the scout biplane which the men flew
when they were captured.
RANSOM DEMANDED
WILL BE FORWARDED
MINNEAPOLIS, Mimi, Aug. 49,
The telegram was received by Mrs.
S. G. Peterson at Hutchinson yester-
day from her son, who is held by
Mexican bandits for ransom. 1t
was given out here last night by
the aviator's father, having been for
Warded through Colonel Langhorne,
at Maria, Tex.
"Candelaria. Tex. Aug. II.
Mrs. S. G. Peterson, Hutchinson,
Kansas.
Davis and myself had forced
captured by Villista Mexican ban
dts and are being held for. $15,Q00
ransom to be paid to Dawkins Kill
patrick, storekeeper in Candelaria,
Tex, not later than August IS, or
we will be killed. Correspond with
secretary of War, Major Walton,
first bombing group, Ell Paso, ana
DR.. Warren B. Davis. Strathmore,
Cal. L am in good health and spir-
it's as I am sure war department
will meet ransom. If not good-by
as they mean business. Love and
don't worry.
(Signed)
HAROLD G.. PETERSON"
On mis- way to st. Paul to seek the
assistance of state officials, Mr. Pc
terson wired Colonel Langhorne that
the ransom deEanded would be sent.