Imperial Valley press., 1923-07-21
ALL MEXICO IS
STIRRED OVER
VILLAS DEATH
Chamber of Deputies
Votes for Investiga-
ton Of Murder
ARMY IN FIELD
Big Military Force Is
Rushed to Scene of
Staying
By FRED G.. NEUMEIER,
U. P. Staff Correspondent.

MENlCO CITY, July 21.-Mexico
! moved officially today to investi-
| gate the sudden end of its most
picturesque bandit, Francisco Villa
who fell dead over the wheel of
his automobile at Parral Yesterday,
his body riddled with sixteen bull
let's.
The Mexican chamber of deputies
voted to make an immediate inquiry
when General of Division Martinez
arrived at the scene of assassina-
tion to take charge of the investi-
cation and of troops charged with
the investigation.
Federal forces tramped through
the hills near Santa Barbara at
dawn today in search of the seven
assassins who shot down Pancho
Villa, the Mexican Robin Hood,
while he was driving his automobile
down the street in suburb of
Parral.
Investigation Pushed
With Villa, the famed outlaw of
Mexico, dead, the government made
every effort to trace his assailants,
and as daylight broke over the
eastern crests federal troops again
took up the intensive pursuit.
The assassins apparently have
covered their tracks well. There
were no reports here to Indicate
that any trace of them had been
found. Army officials however,
were hopeful.
The murderers cot away to q
good start because there were no
horses for the infantry troops
stationed at Parral They search
ed yesterday afternoon and late in
to the night but their efforts are
said to have been unsuccessful.
Troops are being moved into the
region from all nearby posts this
morning.
The town of Parral resembles an
armed camp and business is practic-
ally suspended. Crowds throng
through the streets. They want to
see the body of the famous Villa.
Brother On Scene
Hippolite, brother of Villa arrived
tins morning at Parral. He came
from Chihuahua City to take charge
or the body.
Troops also were stationed about
the neighborhood OF Villa 's ranch
III tanutlllO. They have instruct.
ed to prevent trouble and guard
Villa 8 home and office. No papers
or files will be touched until gov
ernment officials arrive from here.
President Obregon has ordered
personal investigation and it is be-
heved something may be found
among the outlaws private papers
to shed some light on the daring
assassination.
Several attempts were made last
year to kill the reformed rebel, but
they were all unsuccessful.
1t is stated unofficiailv that
villa S property will be given to
the Surviving widow and children.
Died Without Chance
villa died without a chance. The
shooting is described in n report
from Major General MARTINEZ, chief
of operations in chihuahua. The
shooting took place at 7:.l5 IA. m.
Frlday-the third anniversary OF
Villa S surrender to De H. Huerta.
1t is suggested that the assassination
may have been planned in revenge
for the execution of the father and
three brothers of Francisco Huerta,
political and military lead.
Villa, with General Trillo. his
chief of staff and secretary, and
an escort were driving in an auto
mobile toward Parral when they
were attacked. Villa was personal
ly driving the ear and when the
assassins opened fire from vacant
house, the outlaw fell from the
wheel of the machine ut the first
voliey. Trillo also was killed and
three niembers of the escort so ser.
lously hurt that they died soon af-
Ter. The assassins mounted and
fled In the direction of the Santa
Barbara hills.