New-York tribune., 1920-02-05
Father Tells
How Carranza
Men Slew Son
Frequently Called Upon to
Defend Homes Against
the Raids of Soldiers.
Senate Committee Hears
Attacked U. S. Officers
Woman Declares Husband
and Party We're Robbed
and Then Murdered
By Wilbur Forrest

81. pASO. Tex. Feb. 1.-The Cri,ay
r.r Of the Big Bend district Of Texas,
which was proceeding with Mexican
.ssression during the darkest hours
os the European struggle in 1917 and
,s,s began TO unfold here to- day be-
;,re the Senate committee Investigate
inc Mexico
&c overwhelmed with European War
vows possibly rot one American in,
n 600 realized that while Americans in
that district had sent their sons to
fchl the Germans. fathers and
younger brothers were called upon to
.;ght for their homes and property on
he American soil. described by the
c,fat curve Of the Rio Grande River,
sss. Of H paso. This condition con.
tinued until American troops were de-
tpebed from European destinations IN
such numbers as to patrol the entire
district and often fight off the in
vaders
The first BE Bend witness before the
Senate committee was Edward W.
Neville, who two years ago was a pros
nerous rancher. To-day he operates q
small restaurant At Maria, Ten. the
army headquarters OF the Big Bend dis
trict. Neville. . fine type of border
American. related his story in even
tones. although il was "a recitation of a
thrilling, uneven battle resulting in the
death Of Glenn Neville, his eighteen
yesr-old son Neville related the pur-
chase Of small ranch in the western
Big Bend district in 1917. "On March
Is. 1918 he said. II left on horseback
10 pay some bills and transact business
American soldiers. who told me of re-
ports that Mexican band had crossed
The Rio Grande and was raiding on the
American SIDE ] ascertained that this
band was IN the vicinity of my ranch.
snd left Van Horn Immediately. reach
ing the ranch at s;undown.
Finds His Son Dead
Glenn, my sou, had heard nothing
about the raiders. As we talked in the
ranch house we heard men approaching.
They proved 10 be Inc MeNicans. There
were Z, least forty Of them. Taking
cover behind outbuildings, they opened
FIRE without warnjng got down my
Winchester from the wall and Glenn
got his
we returned the firing and killed
several e. them. The lighting con-
tinucd Ike this until $50 in the morn
ing. and. a our ammunition was low,
We decided TO cot outside. I VAS ready
10 die but wanted to save Glenn, and
told him 10 20 TO the hill nearby and
hide there.
we parted, and got into ditch
not far away, but toward daylight when
The Mc1cans had stopped shooting |
worked ny way toward the hill to see
i ! could Nud nv hoy
About this time Troop G, United
States Cavalry, had arrived. and I re-
turned TO the house. Glenn was lying
in front Of the house with his head
beaten 10 q pulp.
American Soldiers Are Attacked
Answering questions by Senator Smith.
Neville said that he recognized at least
Ave OF the assailants as Carranza SOL
diers to whom he had talked q week
previously.
But" he added. they are always for
Vil!a. or Carranza. or whoever has cor
troll on the Mexican side. At this time
Carranza was i'll control over there"
The witness continued, declaring that
Colonel Langhoru. commander Of .he
Sth United States Cavalry, arrived
shortly after the appearance of Troop
& and trailed the MeXicans across the
Rio Grande
Colonel Langhorn is now in FL Paso
and is scheduled TO testify before the
Senate committee tomorrow.
Neville also testified of the crossing
OF body OF fifty CarranZIstas in No
vsmber, 1917. to attack an American
lieutenant, three American soldiers, his
son and himself. VINO were watching the
Meyicans from the American side near
Oinaga.
Carranza soldiers frequently cross
the river 70 steal and kill livestock.
Neville said. Neville sold his ranch
tate in 1918 TO another American, who
found 1t too dangerous and got out.
Says Husband Was Murdered
Mrs. James Carney, whose husband
was prosperous American contractor
In Mexico City, laid to chaotic condl
items in Mexico the death of her hus-
band and several other Americans. Her
husband lost large sums of money in
Mexican bank failures in 1914, the wit
ness said. and they left Mexico. He re-
turned TO Mexico in 1915, she related,
as superintendent OF construction
company near Durango.
All Americans in Durango were
warned by the American government to
depart she declared. and about fifty, re-
fused means Of transportation by Mex
can authorities, started to walk to
safety. The group in which her hus-
band was travelling has never been
heard from, Mrs. Carney said She
said she believed they were robbed and
murdered The widow is now employed
as messenger for the Western Union
telegraph Company in FL Paso.
The campaign Of intimid idation of wit
nesses before the committee continues