Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-27
BY GEORGE F.. WEEKS.


Far West. as also of Mexico,
is replete, was the ultimate
fate of Ambrose Berce,
Pacific coast writer. who had lived
for long period in Washington and
had many friends here.
Ambrose Rierce was native Of
Ohio. gained the rank OF ma jor in the
volunteer service during the civil
War. and made his name Of wide
spread fame as author Of "Cobwebs
From an Empty Skull The Monk
and the Haneman's Daughter"
BLACK Beetles in Amber" and va
rious other weird and interesting
works of the type established by Ed
gar Allan Poe as well az by his con
tributions for long series OF years
to A variety OF publications. The
memory Of his puneent The Passing
Show" will he long cherished by his
thronss of admirers.
In the latter part of 1918. when the
movement against Nictoriano Huerta.
under whose leadership President Ma
dero was deposed and slain. WAS gain
ing steady momentum until il finally
swept him from his blood stained seat.
Bierce arrived in FL Paso from Cali
foInIa. and remained there for a while.
associating himself with newspa per
correspondents from all parts Of the
q
city which was their favorite gather
ing place and source OF news from
across the river"
When the opposition TO Huerta was
daily gaining strength, Rierce decided
to engage in the actual contest. just
as he had so far been taking part in
the literary portion thereof. So he
went to FL Paso. as the nearest point
where he could get into personal touch
30 1T ha 1,tfE ny,a Loo lnru
After several days passed in making
acquainta noes and gathering infor
nation. he announced his intention
to cross over into Mexico to seek out
Pancho Villa. who had but recently
executed the coup that gave him pos
session of the City of Juarez. and to
tender his personal services as one
possessed OF certain amount of mill
tary knowledge and experience that
might be OF use.
Those with whom he conversed in
Ell Paso afterwsrd declared he said
that he intended going into Mexico.
offer his services. and hoped he might
give his life in defense of the -liber
ties of the people of that country. If
refused. and in default of any. oppor
tunity to do this. he intended to
crawl into some quiet. out -of-the-wav
hole In the mountains. where he could
live his few remaining days in peace.
end then pass away in due season"
II was plain to those whom he mat
that he was tired OF living.
So he crossed the Rio Grande one
day-and then dropped out of sight.
Never again was he seen on the
American side of the river and moth
ing more was ever heard Of him again
with certainty. He did not communi-
cate with any of his old or new ac-
quaintances.
A PARTY of American newspaper
correspondents. among them the
writer. had been detailed to accom-
pany Villa in his progress southwark
through Chihuahua from JuareZ in
the Spring Of 1914. These writer's
returned to FL Paso from the City of
Chihuahua during a period of mill
tary activity. in order to recuperate
from the hardships of the campaign.
They were occupying side door
Pullman" with the Mexican military
trains-in other words, a plain, ordi-
nary. everyday box car. which they
had equipped with hunks, tables.
cook stove, etc, including a Chinese
cook. and in which they could live
after a fashion while in active cam
to enjoy a recess from such com
forts" and their visit to FL Paso was
for a few days stay among modern
improvements.
When they encountered some news
paper acquaintances in the city one
of the first questions asked them was
az to whether they had seen anything
of Ambrose Bierce. The details of
his arrival at FL Paso and his de-
parture into Mexico verb recited
time of the correspondents original
departure from the border and visit
paid several weeks later.
spondents had at that time even
der or of his purpose in coming there,
and their interest WAS at once
aroused. OF one thing they were
could scarcely have joined Villas i'm.
were at all times in contact and daily
quarters encourage, while every one
of the few foreigners in any manner
connected Herewith was we'll known
to them. Nevertheless, on their re-
turn to the front they made earnest
and careful inquiry, but were unable
to learn anything whatever regarding
the missing man or of any one who
resembled him. Bierce was not one to
have attempted to hide his identity by
assuming a name other than his own.
though an abundance of foreigners