Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1920-02-01
BAND|TRY BEGAN IN MEXICO 200 YEARS
 AGO, DATA SHOWS
Diaz Only President Who Ever Even Tried to Dis
 courage It

Even Tried to Dis.
 courage It
 Monterey, Mexico, Jan. 31.-- Ban ditry in Mexico is no new thing. It was as far back as 400 years ago that brigandage began in this coun- try. It has continued with little in terruption. It was only during the last IS or 20 years of the admins tration of President Porfirio Di- az that Mexico was almost entirely free of bandits. During that per- iod it was safe for one to travel alone and unarmed in any part of the coun- try, so far as danger of attack by bandits was concerned. With the renewal of revolutionary period in 1910, brigandage again came quick iy into favor and has continued ever since.
 It was during the early days if Diaz's administration that the notor- ious Juan N. Cortina operated open ly for several years in the lower Rio Grande territory.
 On Both Sides of River.
 He raided scores of ranches and small settlements on both the Mexi- can and American sides of the river. At one time he was at the head of an army of more than 500 splendid ly mounted and armed men. These bandits even carried along three pieces of artillery, which they used in attacking towns where resistance was encountered. Cortina finally surrendered and was taken to the City of Mexico by order of President Diax. He received his freedom on CT, that he must not leave the gates parole, with the stipulation, howev- of the capital He observed the pa role and died a few years ago at a good old age.
 Abrupt mountains, continual ex- ports of valuable minerals and occu- pying an isolated position on the highway between the City of Mexico and Coatzacoalcos, made Oaxaca, in the early days of Spanish control, an ideal place for bandits.
 For many years after the conquest, Coatzacoalcos was the principal port on the gulf, owing to the greater pro- lection for vessels than in the port Isof Vera Cruz. Much of the treas- ure from the more northern part of the country came to the capital and was from there dispatched in carav- ans to the ships. These rich con signments were tempting spoil for the bandit, and brigandage flourish ed in Oaxaca until ultimately stamp cd 5out by Diaz during the time he wal military commandant of the state.
 The exaggerated Stories of easily made. fortunes in Mexico attracted thousands of men from Europe. A short residence in the country was sufficient to dispel their rosy dreams and many were soon reduced to want 7And desperation, making material for bandits readily available. The apleniid hiding places offered in the mountains of Oaxaca as we'll as the distance from the capital were points of vantage which appealed to these characters.
 Made Natives Their Friends.
 Many of them were men of strong personalities who were not slow to realize that the natives of the dis trict in which they operated must be their friends. This resulted in .va- ricus spectacular favors to the In- stlians living up the mountains and the only ready and efficient method ed to the authorities.
 Among the more noted bandits of the. early Spanish dominion was an but more commonly known as Ell Huero. As a youth he had come to Mexico expecting soon to return to xlx. of Mnvsnn ho fo,nN \ Spain laden with riches. On his arr that there were 20 applicants for every position open, but on account eence and physical strength he was plicants to fill place in grocery Store conducted by fellow-country- man. The over-supply of labor had hard and the abuses heaped on the employees in many establishments were almost unbearable.
 Fl Huero Kills Employer.
 Shortly after his employment by the grocer. Fl Huero revolted at some of the restrictions and during violent quarrel with the owner of the store the young man grabbed g RO1G llVtu 8 I6CA 6uO way ulc Cui plovers to death before the eyes of his fellow-clerks and some custom CTS.
 Realizing what he had done he at tempted to escape, but was stopped bv the witnesses. not, however, un- til he had fatally injured one of those attempting to bar his progress Two murders in broad daylight was spectacular crime even in those tuburlent days, and the ragged bleeding Mendez was condemned to death almost immediately on being presented to the police official. Dur ing the night, however, he made a daring escape, killed guard and finally made his way to Oaxaca
 Extraordinary plans were taken by the officials to capture and punish the perpetrator of these crimes. Mes sengers were sent to all parts of : the country with special rewards for his capture but the fastness of the Oaxaca mountains failed to divulge the hiding place of the fugitive.
 Desperate Men Around Him.
 "A natural leader, he soon had surrounded himself with group ot < desperate men. The result of this combination was apparent. Strongly guarded caravans, supposed to be i'm xfnune to the act of any bandits. were attacked with success which struck feaf into the hearts of the merchants