Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-07-21
Sketch of Career

Francisco C"Pancho"D Villa. guer-
rilla chieftain and bandit leader in
Mexico for more than 10 years, de-
clared that he had ended his career
of outlawry in August, 1920, when,
at the head of 900 followers, the lem
nant of what had once been his army
of $4,000 men, entered San Pedro,
Coahuila, and, amid the cheers of the
populace, announced the intention of
himself and men of accepting am
nesty and settling down as farmers.
A few weeks earlier, Villa had'sur-
rendered to Federal forces at Sabinas.
He then declared his adherence to
Provisional President de Ia Huerta
and General Aware Obregon, later
elected president to succeed Car
rama. Before captivating, Villa de-
manded and was granted by the
Mexican government. one years pay
and small farm for each OF his
men, a grant equal to 100000 gold.
One of the most notable escapades
Of Villa was his raid on Columbus, N.
NJ, on March 6, 1916 in which he and
his followers killed II Americans. 1t
resulted in a punitive American mill
tary expedition under General PERISH
ing crossing the border and main
tanning a dead or alive" purusit of
Villa which lasted more than nine
months and cost the United States
government. according to a war de-
partment estimate, nearly 100000
900.
In a battle at Parral, American
TROOPERS were amubshed and a num-
Der of them killed. On March 81,
however, the bandits followers were
defeated at Guerrero. The Americans
were successful in number of other
skirmishes and penetrated so far
south into Mexico as to meet the
Constitutionalist troops of Carranza
who ostensibly. were also in pursuit
OF the renegade Mexican leader.
Villa, wounded but always eluding
his pursuers, lived in a Chihuahua
mountain cave for five weeks. 1t was
located in the center of perpendicu-
lar cliff which rose $50 feet from a
brook on the level plain below and
from this point Villa said he often
watched the American troops. Many
times he was reported dead. Upon
the American armys withdrawal
from Mexico Villa renewed his depre-
dations. On April 4, 1916, he was in
dicted for first degree murder at
Demfng, N. NJ, on account Of the
Columbus raid.
"They call me bandit and the
| worst man in Mexico" declared
Villa when he was welcomed to San
Pedro, "but I would preserve our
nationality. surrendered because
further fighting in Mexico meant in
tervention by the United States. It
is time for peace" In manifesto
he praised the good faith, honor
| and patriotism" Of Provisional Presi-
dent de la Huerta and declared it
| was his purpose to show the Next
can nation that he and his men could
build as we'll as Destroy"
I The former bandit went with his
family from San Pedro to Las Me
vas, Durango, to settle down" on his
farm there and shortly after wrote
to de la Huerta for school books and
supplies. Villa was said to have
been deeply affected by the death OF
! a daughter in San Antonio, Texas, a
! month after his surrender. Sixteen
of his men, who were among num-
Der captured by Pershing and con-
victed of various offences were par
doned by thel governor OF New Next
co in November 1920.
The first real tragedy in Villas
life occurred when General Filipe
Angeles was executed as a revolu-
ZIONIST by Carranza troops in 1919.
Villa admired Angeles not only as a
patriot and soldier, but regarded him
almost as father. He wept Bit