Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1919-09-03
AMERICAN TROOPS
CHASE MExICANS
Cavalry and Air Bombers Hunt
Bandits in Mountains Below
the Border.
STORM AIDS FLEEING BAND
Expedition Advances on Wide Line
Freed Aviators Lead Punitive
Forces Across River-Only
$500 Ransom Paid.

Maria, Tex. Aug. 21.-Spread out
fan-shaped over a wide stretch of
Mexican country south of the Rio
Grande, United States cavalry troops.
aided by airmen in bombing planes as
scouts, combed the mountains for the
bandits who held for ransom two
American aviators.
After the forward dash over the bor-
der the troops probably are handicap
ped by storm which was reported in
messages by field telephone to be rag
ing In the mountains below the Dor
der.
Ii was feared the torrential rains
would obliterate trails left by the ban
dts. The expeditiOnary force for a
time moved forward in the face of high
winds, according to the reports.
The two lieutenants for whom ran
som was demanded. and who were re-
leased, led the Americans in their
quest of the bandits. Both sent mes
sages to their families.
With nearly six hours start on the
American punitive expedition, the ban
dts are believed to have scattered in
the mountain passes and canyons, and
1t probably will be necessary to search
every square mile of the rough coun-
try below the border, in the opinion of
military men.
Despite the expected difficulty in To-
eating the bandits from the air, Amer
lean aviators left the flying field here
and secuted the entire Ojinaga district.
1t was not known how many are in
the bandit band. Lieutenant Davis
and Lieutenant Peterson said they saw
six men. There were 20 other bandits
at the ranch where the bandits stopped.
Arrangements for nurses, aInbu-
lances and surgical dressings for the
punitive expedition troops are being
made by Elmer Donnell of st. Louis,
for use in case of emergency.
II. NJ. Fennell, a banker of this city.
arrived and announced that the
amount of ransom actually paid for
release of the airmen was $500. Fen
nell took the $4,000 demanded TO
Candelaria. He declared a recount Of
the money brought back by Captain
Matlack after release of the aviators
showed $500 remained. The money,
in $50 bills. was deposited in a bank
here.
Fennell told the first connected story
of events preceding the crossing Of
the American aviators to the United
States. He outlined preliminary nego-
tiatiOns Monday between Captain Mat
lack and the Mexican brother-in-law of
Renteria who acted as a go-between.
Fennell said the bandits insisted the
delivery of the aviators be made after
dark so flares might be seen. The go
between crossed to San Antonio, Chi
huahua, opposite Candelaria, and ST.
lected the spot where the aviators
were to be delivered.
II was at aA old cottonwood tree, a
mile and half south of San Antonio.
The go-between then returned to the
American side and said arrangements
had been completed.
When the flares agreed upon failed
to show after midnight. Captain Mat
lack crossed. He was gone more than
half an hour, returning with Lieuten-
ant Peterson.
Returning TO the old cottonwood
Captain Matlack told Lieutenant Da-
Wis to get on behind. Then the cap
tain spurred his horse without deliver
ing the balance of the money.