Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1922-03-04
COURTWRICHT'S
STORY Will Be
.PROBED BY POST
Houston Man Asserts He Was
Struggled" Into Mexico;
Was Taken to Tampico

HOUSTON. Tex. Mar. !. lnvrstiEa-
ion j. being made by the Thomas Dis
nuke Post of the American Legion to-
iay into the story NJ n. n. couriwright
veteran OF the Thirty-s.Ath division. that
ne had been -smuggled~ into Mexico.
The post voted last night 10 make an
investigation, with the end IN view NJ
assisting Courtwright 10 institute prose
.utions If il is considered that criminal
avs were violated in connection with
the case.
CourtwriEht said here yesterday that
he was arrested here December - on
capias from san Antonio. but after Hous-
ton officers turned him over % maa
he was rushed into Mexico. where hr
was accused Of blowing up train. and
forced TO sign confession. but escaped
and returned 70 the United States
on December ID two detectives from
the Houston police department came 20
a hotel where Courtwright. Louis J. Vel
sir and a third man were stopping. me-
cording to Courtwright. and took them
into custody. stating they had warrant
for their arrest from Justice Fisk Of
San Antonio.
IN the afternoon Courtwright and Vel
sir were handcuffed together and placed
on . train for San Antonio in charge q
a man whom Courtwrirht declares IN ar
employc of an Oil company in Mexico
Arriving in san Antonio. the two men
were taken from the train through the
baggage room and placed in 4 closed
automobile. Courtwright stated. They
were rot taken 20 jail. but after driving
about town for a time were taken toward
Laredo.
About five miles from Laredo a small
car met them, and after short pariey
drove Up the river. being followed by
the car IN which the two men were con-
fined.
When about five miles IN the river
signals were flashed 10 some one on the
Mexican side of the river, and Ia few
a.iLutes four Mexican civilians joined
the PARTY on the American side. Here
The two men were turned over 20 the
Mexicans. Courtwrght declared, and
" taken To Nuevo Laredo, where the
Iexicans surned their prisoners over To
NeSican soldiers.
barring the entire trip the two men
bad Deen handcuffed together. Court
wright stated.
After three or four days the two men
were taken to Tampico. arriving nrcem-
Der 80. The next day they were taken
10 Sr.mextile. Here the two men were
held ten days and informed they were
charged with blowing up a pay train of
the international Petroleum company on
the night Of October 81.
In this jail was a Mexican charged
with the same offense. and a few days
later re was taken ont and shot because.
the commanding officer stated. he re-
fused 10 confess 10 the crime. That
night they were taken out and shown
the Mexicans body. which had five but
let holes in the back. CourtWright stated.
The rext day a long statement in span
ish was presented, which was signed nv
the Americans. After signing the con
fession they were sent tG TuNpam 20
await trial.
on the first of February they escaped
and reached I'll Paso February l--
Courtwrght stated that he went 10
Mexico in August. 1919. for the Gulf
Petroleum company a. transportation
foreman. and later went to work for the
international Petroleum company as as
sistant superintendent of transportation
Records IN the Houston police depart
mcnt show thas the two men were turn
ed over 10 a San Antonio officer Dceem-
Der Is.