New-York tribune., 1922-01-13
Vide Open Oil
Cit, Shut Down
By1roopOrder
Martial Law Is Declared by
Texas Governor in Mexia
10 End All ''Intolerable"
Reign of Lawiessness
saloons Run as of Old
Gambling and Vice Flourish.
Along With Robbery and
Murder, Says Executive

MEXlA, Tex, Jan. 12 (By The Asso
rated Press Martial law at Mexia
,sd the surrounding oil fields. pro
camed to-day by Governor Pat NJ.
Neg. wen. into effect at o'clock this
morning. "Open and fragrant viola
Ion Of the law" highway rohbcrics,
murders. open gambling and selling OF
iiouor were some of the reasons given
bv the Governor fl. ordering National
Guard troops into thc district. Mexia
IS 100 miles south of Dallas.
Several arrests were made during the
afternoon and quantity Of liquor
seized. negro was shot in the leg by
rangers. after, it is alleged he fired
twice at the state officers when they
were conducting a liquor raid.
Texas rangers invaded the oil fields
last Saturday to make n "clean-up"
paign against saloons and gambling
resorts. The city the population OF
which has swelled since October. 1921
from 5000 TO 10000. was running wide
open and the rangers Immediately
called for militia help. Brigadier Cen
eral Jacob +. Wolters, who will COM
Major Charles Crawford. assistant ad-
iu.ant general. were in conference
hcresto-day. A troop of forty soldiers
VAS ordered to Mexia to-day from
Rrenham. General Woltors has author
W to call for rs many additional
troops as may be necessary to enforce
the law.
1ntolerable, Says Governor
Governor Neff's proclamation said
can intolerable situation exists in
and near the town OF Mexia. Tex. Ia
wit: The open and fragrant violation
Of The law. Highway robbery is Of
frequent occurrence, accompanied in
some cases by the murder Of peaceful
and law-abiding citizens; gambling
houses arc in full operation day and
night. protected by armed men; intoxi
eating liquor is being openly sold over
the bar, as we'll as in bottles and
other containers: multitude Of UNI
fortunate women ply their nefarious
business In houses Of ill-fame, and the
local officers are either unable or un-
willing to maintain and enforce the
law.
This condition has heretofore
caused acts of violence on citizens OF
the state and there is now imminent
danger OF insurrectons tumult. riot
and breach of the peace. and serious
personal danger to the inhabitants and
property 0, cltlZcnS IN that tcrrltory.'
Mexias boom has come from oil dis
coyeries. The population now consists
Of an assortment OF oil field followers
and thousands of men and women seek
ing employment. leaving an old field
for the new. some bringing household
goods and camping OUTFITS and many
finding no shelter at all Rail traffic
jumped hundreds or per cent
The water procured from a spring
near town was nearly as high in price
As gasoline. Some oil man, however.
drilled an oil well right by the spring,
tapping" the water supply so badly
that lately it has been entirely stopped.
Oil Wells for Miles
Getting a bath is quite an ex-
perience, if indeed not task
But as for oil. there are a solid six
miles Of new derricks. drillers' outfits,
tents, wooden buildings and people
where once there was the open prairie.
Buildings completed or contracted for
since October l total between $4,000
900 and $4,000 600
Gambling and drinking halls filled
with dancing girls are open every
night and one may buy openly "red"
and corn whiskey at so cents
drink. There is no effort at closing
them. The Winter Garden is the most
nourishing Of these. Here it is said
fortunes have been lost over night a.
tne dice and roulette tables.