davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1920-02-01
<lnS Tells the Story of His Prosecutions in Mexico
After Suffering Tortures While
in Hands of the Bandits He
Was Thrown in Jail

there had recently been in Puebla as
we'll as in Mexico City innumerable
cases of hold-ups, and l thought I
was dealing with one of these bands
we have, as you will see, no neigh
bors within block.
Upon having my hands tied. I
was told by the leader of the bandits
to accompany them to the office, and
there the keys to the safes were
taken from my pocket and the entire
contents of the two safes werc
taken, consisting Of the sum of
oo,263 pesos and 65 cents in Mexican
gold and silver coin. Watches and
pistols which also were in the safe
were taken, and even the watch
mans clock. Incidentally, the watch
man, | have forgotten to mention.
was bound and gagged before | had
entered the factory.
There are no banks in Mexico at
tie present time, as the government
conilscated them long ago, and there
is no paper money, so it is necessary
for every business man to be his own
banker. In one Of the safes was 105
pesos Of American consular funds in
gold, and this was taken along with
the rest.
Gas soon as the money had been
taken from the safes the leader Of
the band sent two Of the men
ahead with it, and did not see
chem again. 7 was then informed
that | also was to be taken, and I
used every possible argument to dis
suade the leader explaining to him
that my father had Just suffered an
apop,ectic stroke and any great
worry might prove fatal; that my
wife was not we'll and could not
stand any great nervous Shock that
he had already taken an enormous
7uln of money from me and that
was not in position to pay any fur
Their ransom. He Immediately re-
piled that so far as the payment of
any further sum was concerned |
need not worry, as he did not want
my money, but wanted the Mexican
government to pay not only the ran
som lie would demand but the money
ae had taken from nay safes as well,
and it was absolutely necessary fer
HIM to carry ne away, on account CT
he fact that he desired to give a
severe blow to the actual govern
ment, aad could Go that only by tai,
ing some one viii an official char
acter, and that he felt sure that
tae United States government would
exact Of the Mexican government i'm
mediate reparation FOR all loss.
~ tried TO explain to him that il
would he very difficut, if not impos-
s!ble, to make the Mexican govern
nlent pay any ransom; that such q
proceeding would be very long and
tedious and that, in the mean time,
/, an innocent object Of his political
plans, would suffer greatly and prob
ABLY lose nv life.
New-York tribune., 1920-02-01

attempt was made to follow the
bandits or attack them while l was
prisoner. He also instructed me
10 tell Mrs. jenkins to hurry as much
IS possible the arrangement for nv
ransom, and gave me a copy of GER
tam conditions that he said had been
sent to her. These conditions stated
that unless the money was paid by
certain date I would be shot.
In the mean time, due to great
New-York tribune., 1920-02-01

called 'coronel.' From later infor-
nation have reason to believe that
he was Cordova's brother.
II was kept in the cave that day
and that night, but on Tuesday
morning at o'clock my guards and
| remounted the horses and travelled
for several hours again. Ny eyes
were again covered. About daylight
New-York tribune., 1920-02-01
Forced a Confession

After being discharged from the
hospital and recovering sufficiently
to travel l went to Mexico City,
where l explained all the circum
stances to those in the American
Embassy. When I returned home
! learned that tho authorities had
sent to a former plantation Of mine,
Santa Lucia, and arrested number
of poems, who live on the plantation,
and taken them to Atlixco, a village
New-York tribune., 1920-02-01
By Wilbur Forrest

"HE case of w. 0. Jenkins,
the American consular
agent at Puebla, Mexico,
has become the precis of
the American Mexican imbroglio
It started out as the abduction and
holding for ransom of an American
official by Mexican bandits, and it
cot into the Mexican courts as The
State of Puebla VS. W. O. Jenkins,
but the Mexican federal govern
ment has now added its forces to
those of the state government Of
Puebla to prosecute the American
Consular Agent on faxed and doc
tored evidence, and the issue has
become Can ar American have any
rights in Mexico?'
In additions to repeated public
statements by the prosecuting at
torney Of Puebla and Governor
Cabrera of that state that Jenkins
is beyond doubt guilty Of collusion
with the bandit leader Federico
Cordova in the pretended abduc-
ton of Jenkins in order to make
an issue between Mexico and Amer
ica and cause the overthrow of the
CarranZa government, the Mexican
Secretary of the Interior has issued
the following bulletin:
"The Governor of Puebla has no
tified this department that in view
Of the Investigations carried out by
the criminal court of that city it
s clearly proved that Nj William
0. Jenkins was in the towns of
Santa Marta and San Barnabe dur
ing the period of his presumed ab-
duction, in aInicable company Of the
rebel leader Federico Cordova
Various witnesses presented them
elves and sustained She charges
against Mr.. Jenkins that he was not
with the rebels as prisoner 1t is
proved, therefore, that the asser
tons made by the consular agent
are false; chat is, that hc was una
ware of the places he was taken to
by the rebels and that he was blind
folded. Furthermore, numerous
witnesses have declared that M.
jenkins had, before his disappear
auce, personally furnished the rebels
with arms and ammunition. The
authorities, according to law, are
continuing their Investigations in
this matter.
New-York tribune., 1920-02-01
Authorities Try to Make 1t
Appear That He Helped
in His Own kidnapping

longer assume personal responsible !
ity for me, and l was arrested and
taken again to the state peniten-
tiary.
"On Thursday l received visit
from MIR. Hanna, of the American
Embassy in Mexico City, but the
authorities refused to allow us to
speak in private. and Mr. Hanna left.
He returned again, however, on Fri
day, and this time they allowed US to
converse alone.
"On Thursday night, the Goth, !
was taken from the penitentiary
about s O'Clock. and conducted to
the court, but as my attorney had
not been notified | refused to have
any connection with the proceed
ings. After standing around in the
cold until after 10 o'clock ] was
taken back to the penitentiary.
"On the morning of the 2lst. be-
fore breakfast, | was taken to court
again, where | was confronted by
I another set Of witnesses from the
Santa Lucia plantation. Many were
women, the wives Of former ignorant
witnesses, and their testimony was
more absurd than the first. Most Of
them testified that they had heard |
was there but had not seen me. All
of them became hopclessly muddied
IN their statements, showing, without
doubt, that they were testifying
falsely. One Of these witnesses was
Of such nature as to cause amuse-
nent, even to the judge himself, as
she had been evidently forced to
make some written declaration about
me on the plantation. Her declara-
ton was in Spanish, and when it was
read to her and she was asked if she
ratified it, ii developed that she did
lot speak a word Of Spanish, but
spoke only the language of the Aztec
Indians. It WAS too plain that she
had not the slightest idea what was
contained in the paper.
'This was too mach for the Judge,
and he suspended the case. TIE
Judge then advised me that could
present my own witnesses. It was
necessary to tell him that had been
unable to hold my witnesses in the
city because Of the declination Of TIE
court to receive their statements ard
that | would be obliged to await an
other opportunity 20 present them.
My lawyer, however, asked for q
change Of court, as we had decided
that the court actually in charge Of
the case was incompetent under the
Mexican constitution, which provides
that all cases involving members Of
diplomatic or consular corps must be
tried III federal court.
1T was our opinion, too, that JUS
tice was less possible IN this criminal
court than any other court.
"On demand of the Judge on De-
cember was sent to my home to
secure the letters which l had writ
ten to my wife during my captivity
with Cordova. l was allowed to re-
main at home several hours, under
guard, and was taken back to the
! prison in the evening.
New-York tribune., 1920-02-01

we stopped on mountain side at
the foot of steep cliff, where | was
hidden in The low shrubbery. ] was
changed again on "Wednesday morn
ing and again on Friday morning.
always moving just before day. |
soon concluded that ] was being
hidden from other rebel bands, as
every precaution was taken not TO
allow me to be seen and the guards
always hid themselves when any ap-
preached Numerous natives were
gathering wood and burning char
coal near our hiding place saw
from time TO time numerous bands
Of mounted men riding around on
the mountains and also many camp
fires at night, from which I Inferred
that the region was completely full
Of rebels.
con Tuesday night it rained un-
ceasingly, and l was completely
soaked. On Wednesday morning l
did the best could to dry my
clothes in the sun. This same thing
happened on Wednesday and Thurs
day nights, and began to suffer
severe pains from rheumatism in my
right leg This rapidly grew worse,
and on Saturday morning I was in
q deplorable state, unable to rise
from the ground and suffering con-
stantly the most excruciating pain.
THE guards treated me kindly,
but they had nothing to offer and
got no relief. In fact, did not even
have water to drink, as these men
drink from the puddles found in the
fields and roads, and | was not able
to drink this water very well. |
often suffered from actual thirst.
New-York tribune., 1920-02-01

U/LLlAM O. JENKINS, American consular o0ent at
P"e6la Meraco acho Is accused by the Mercon gorevr
"en OF aiding IN has hdnopig. He says trouble is
fha the regular Mexican oy composed Of such soldiers as
6efo' IS acapobc Of keeping ordor qcith result that
Merco Is filed acth bands Of refugees such as that shon
a6ove Mr. Jenkins attributes his persecution to the fact
that has kidnapping hos called attention to these conditions
New-York tribune., 1920-02-01
4 Threat of Death

During captivity I frequently
talked to the 'coronel' and discussed
my status He was very angry
that the Mexican government had
not offered at once to pay the
100000 pesos demanded for my ran
som. I have neglected to mention
that the 'coronel' had instructed me
10 inform my wife in my letters that
would be Immediately shot if anv
New-York tribune., 1920-02-01

at midnight, was aroused in the
penitcntiary by the Puebla Inspector
OF police and advised that ] was
needed urgently in court. At first
l refused TO go. protesting that the
hour was entirely inappropriate
The inspector, however, told me that
he had orders TO take me, whether
/ wanted TO go or not.
You may imagine my feelings
and misgivings at being aroused at
midnight, The blackest hour Of the
night, to accompany men in whose
country the ley fuga'-the law Of
flights often invoked TO rid pris
oners Of their lives or the illegal
pretcnse that they have tried
to escape. 1t was creepy, and ! felt
that my life was in danger. I could
not conceive that court Of law
would be open at midnight, even in
Mexico. However, there was moth
ing to do but go. finally dressed
and accompanied him, not without
asking him repeatedly for what pur-
pose I was required at such an ur-
earthly hour. He pepistently re-
fused to tell me.
New-York tribune., 1920-02-01
Is Set Free


Is Set Free
II was conducted out in the dark
ness, and it was the darkest night
[ had ever seen during nineteen
years in Mexico. Eut It was to nv
home that l went. | was told that
I was free, but on what grounds
| had been freed l could not ascer-
tain even though | asked repeated
questions. thought that on ac-
count Of the sensational revela-
tions of the Santa Marta Indians
the government had decided to
cease It's prosecutions. or possibly
that / had been freed by express
orders Of the authorities az Mexico
City. I was naturally glad to be
free. after sixteen days in prison.
"The following day ] presented
MY witnesses to The court. 1t was
impossible to get them examined.
because, to my great as.onishment,
] learned that Judge Gonzales
Franco had been removed. Why
the Judge who had heard The con
LESSONS of the Santa Marta In
dlars. thereby exploding the govern
ment's charges, should have been
removed it was impossible TO say.
There We're rumors, however, that
he had been ordered by the Gov
elAor to destroy the records of the
testimony of the Santa Marta IL
dians, and had refused, this refusal
resulting IN his removal. It was
also rumored that he was suspected
Of being in my pay.
The Judges successor was the
Judge from Atlixco, the same one
who had seen the Santa Lucia IL
dians tortured to make them declare
falsely.
1T was wholly apparent, a. tbs
time, that no justice could be pro
cured in this court, and I determined
to have little to do with the new
Judge pending decision on our ap-
peal for change of venue to the
federal court. Decision On the ap-
peal has been left TO the Supreme
Court at Mexico City.
New-York tribune., 1920-02-01

.HE case of w. 0. Jenkins,
the American consular
agent at Puebla, Mexico,
The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-19
BUSINESS PLACES TO LET.

Above 18th 81. to 5ath It. Qnclusivel.
East River To North River.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-19

Above I4th st. to seth st. 1nclusiye).
East River to North River.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-19
BUSINESS PLACES TO LET.

Borough Of Brooklyr.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-19
BUSINESS PLACES TO LET.

Above Ifth st. to 59th st. rnciusive).
East River 10 North River.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-19
- UNFURNIsHED.

-0~~7>-~'~>>-~
Above 59th St.-5th ~. to North River
The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1920-08-19

probably would be used IN some EFFORT
t. coerce me into changing my vote
on the motion 10 reconsider. or In some
other way To injure or defeat the
cause Of woman suffrage.
Persons who overheard the CONVEX
sations etween Hanover and Burn
we're indignant at the charge Of the
anti-sunragists.
Legal steps are being taken TO pre-
ven Secretary of State Of Tennessee
Stevens from certifying to the federal
secretary Of state the fact OF a rati-
hcation. In event the ants fail 10
block suffrage by decentralization. pa
pers Will immediately be filed IN some
state court 10 tie UP the amendment.
Judge Joseph Higgins. president Of
the Tennessee constitutional League.
has prepared the papers.
STRUGGLE TO BE INTENSE
There is no elimination Of the in
tensity Of the struggle. n antis
have arranged 70 have hundreds OF
kilograms sent 10 every memper who
voted for ratification protesting
against hts vote. on the other hand
even a greater number is coming from
friends Of suffrage throughout the
state to the men dho aided them Every
suffrage member is on the ~watch-out
for an anti attempt to
when some IF the suffrage forces are
The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1920-08-19
COX MAKES LEAGUE
PACT BIG ISSUE
CONTINUED from page one.1

was impeIled by a desire to continue
burdensome taxation up until 1920 up
on the theory that the people would
blame the executive rather than the
congressional administration.
"EURoPE's WAR DEBT"
The senatorial leaders occasionally
refer to the staggering war debt OF
Europe. with a hin now and then that
It will never be paid. To begin with,
the national debt in Europe before
1914 ran into billions and billions or
dollars. and they We're occasioned BY
the competition in the building OF
Each country kept its eye
on it's n~eighbors and the building OF
warsh.ps by one power. meant the con
struction Of a dozen Of warships by
several other powers. 50 the existing
debt would not be nearly so large ex-
cept for the circumstances here re-
cited. Nothing would more reassure
the world than the certain Knowledge
that every nation could meet its
legal obligations. II the world does
not proceed TO arm Itself to the teeth.
II the cost Of armament IS diverted to
the payment Of interest and sinking
fund on the bonded debt. then there Is
more than a hope that civilization can
work It's own way out TO a sound foot
ing financially and economically.
Reitorating his statement that the
position Of democracy Is definite and
affirmative" in regard to the lea or
nations. Gov. Cox said IL was our
pledge TO enter the league with the
least possible delay after March 4. 1921.
making such additions as are re-essur-
ing and helpful"
a call will he made" the governor
said. upon our mineral wealth and our
productive skill. We will have the
ships to sail every sea; the supply Of
life's essentials and living costs will be
the demand and living costs will be
very materially reduced. what we would
otherwise be spending for guns and
powder and ships viii be applied to our
war debt and above all We shall be
happy in the assurance that war is
practically impossible
Turning to the republican stand on
the cost Of living issue, Gov. Cox said
it represented. at the very best. a
long delay"
What project the republicans have
in mind as a substitute for the league
of nations" Cox said. mo one know ;.
or at least. no one has ever attempted
The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1920-08-19
GOLD BULLION
o s ON NJ

SAN FRANCISCO. Cal. Aug. 10
Reported disappearance Of $4,000 in
gold bullion from the strong boxes OF
the China mail liner Nile. between tnis
port and Shanghai puzzled local ship
ping officers. No trace of the missing
gold. part of "a 100000 treasure car
60. was discovered. according TO sd-
yices to China mail officers here. dep
pite a rigid investigation following
the discovery of the theft. Possibility
that an organized gang of thieves is
operating on t~rans-Pacihc vessels and
at Pacific and Oriental ports is strong.
shipping men declare.
The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1920-08-19

consider was entered on the journal
and makes il within his power today
or tomorrow TO call UP for reconsider
alton at any time he desires. These
two days no one else can call 1t up
After two days Speaker Walker loses
his sole right to move a reconsldera-
ton and any member can do so. The
probable suffrage tactics viii be u
call II up the first thing on the third
day. table the reconsideration motion
and thereupon prevent the house from
reversing its action on r~atihcation.
Legislators recalled that in the history
of the house a measure had never been
successfully called up for ~re-consid-
Grafton. There were always a few
members who would vote against re-
consideration. no matter how hard
they had fought against the original
bill it was claimed
BRIBERY Is ALLEGED
There are persistent rumors in cir
culation tina charges will be made IN
the nooG Of the house by a~nti-leaders
this morning that the bribery Of a
nember Of the house by suffrage lead
ers was responsible for yesterdays rat
iteation. Anti-leaders claim they VIII
ask the matter be referred to an in
vt~stsgating committee. The charge is
looked upon with little fear by rat
fcaticnists. who claimed they have
similar matter Of their own 70 proser..
The name Of Rep. Harry Burn. the
republican who changed his vote from
the anti ranks on the motion to table,
t the suffrage ranks on ratification
is that used by the ants in connec-
ton with bribary. It was alleged n
anidavits that Rep Hanover. ratih-
cation floor leader. had offered him a
large sum. Hanover declared that
these ahidavits are false in letter ana
IN spirit"
USED FOR COERCION
7 decline to be blackmailed."
Burn declared that before I saw
these aridavits had already heard
they were in existence and that they
The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1920-08-19
Personal and
Social NeWS

Mr.. and Mrs. Fred Rooster and 1T
and Mrs Roy True Of Denote, Ind.
motored to Hammond On Sunday.
Lucille Queram. Of Lincoln. Neb-, -
visiting at h home OF her uncle ard
aunt. Mr.. and Mrs. G. J.. Queram.
lib Lewis st.
Mrs n. Rothchild. Of $50 Holman
st will leave tonight on the boat tor
Frankfort, Mich where she viii spend
scveral weeks
Mrs. omer Stell Of Hammond. is Wis
iane Mrs. josephine ptckey of Shelby.
Ind. for several days.
agnes Kolb left last night FOR a
two weeks visit IN Washington. D. c.,
New York cry and Brooklyn.
Mrs. Cambridge and daughter. Ruth.
IF Dsnvllle. NJ and Irene Bolton. Of
Sheldon. III, are visiting at the home
= Mrs. :. T. Otto s3e haywood ave.
Masters Earl and Harold struhle.
The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1920-08-19

Fred Beekman and Kenenth Stewart
spent yesterday in Hammond.
DR.. l.. 6. Moran who has been
spending several weeks vacation visit
ing relatives in Louisville, y. Y. will
return to Hammond the last OF the
week.
The golf picnic. which had been plan
ned for tomorrow at the Hammond
Country Club. has been postponed in
definitely. but the usual nine hole golf
match viii be held at two o'clock.
The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1920-08-19
LIVE LOCAL
NEWS lads"
MASONIC NOTICE

Garneld Lodge. No. 500 r. & A. NJ.
Will hold a called meeting Friday.
August Goth, opening at 100. r. C..
degree.
J. W. Morthland. Act'y W. NJ.
s-ls-l9
The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1920-08-19

out OF the room. II is rumored aiso
that Walker will bring up his recon
sideration motion this morning I'M
mediately after charges OF brIoery
have been made. hoping TO put il over
then.
walker refuses 20 make a state
ment.
II have no statement to make until
It is ali over" he declared and that
viii not be for two or three days.
Let them shout now II they want t..
The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1920-08-19

70 describe it or name II.
'Thi question. the league Of ma
tons" the governor convluded. there
fore. becomes more and more the UNI
avoidabie issue in his campaign. For
the very reason that it involves our
safety. our economic -readjustment and
our prosperity. we cannot ignore it,
The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1920-08-19
Al20LlGE
u COURT

James C.. smith and Tom F. ThieI,
sd Holman street. Hammond. were
arre-'-ed yesterday evening by Ofncer
Nocjcsk! on Holman street. charged
NH d.sorderiy conduct. Zach was
hned IS this morning in the pol.c1
court.
Jordan Brandt Of HessvUie was ar
rested BY Officer Carlson last nizht
fo- driving q truck over Calumet
Boulevard. HIS trial has been set for
Saturday morning.
L A Thiel. 1913 Park place Ham .
nlond Is said 20 have been making
6ft' miles per hour when - was ar
rested r. Cfacer Carlson on Calumet
boulevard last night. His case Will oe
heard next MondAy.
Mrs. Freeman. as Fin street. Ham
nond was slightly injured this morn
Ing when she was Knocked down oy a
motorcycle at Hohmsn street and In.
diana avenue. The motorcycle was
driven ny loan Ptcih. 80 151st
@-reAt. East Chicago. T~cin WA
thrown from MS machine but was not
injured.
The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1920-08-19

Ice cream social at Christian church
on Friday evening, August 90. s-1S-1a
The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1920-08-19

FOR sALE-Buick; hrst class condit-
ion. cord tire equipment Tel. Ham
mond 1871. Dodge touring. excellent
condition.. cord tire equipment. Terms.
Tel Hammond 174I. s-l6-St
The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1920-08-19

Of Denote. Ind. are visiting reia'
tives in Hammond.
The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1920-08-19

George w. Dickcy and family and
Mrs Josephine Dickey OF Shelby. mo-
tored to hammond on Friday.