Imperial Valley press., 1928-05-10
MEXN;ANS
RUSH AT
SHERIFF F
Gillett Repulses Attack
By Group in Westmor-
land Pool Room.
WOMAN is LEADER
Three Dozen LabOrers are
Locked Up Following
Strike in North.

Mcxicans, believed by county
authorities to have assembled in a
POOL hall in Westmorland this morn
ing for the purpose Of conducting
a meeting in connection with the
strike movement prevalent in the
valley, attempted to throw Sheriff
e. l.. Gillctt out Of the place. They
did not succeed.
Mrs. Francisco Rodriguez, ~, who
lcd the attack on the sheriff and
three men, Thomas and Felix Rodri-
quca and Abraham Perez, who fol
lowed the woman s lead, were lock
cd mp at the county Jail.
They are charged with resisting
an officer Of the law.
Sheriff Gilett also arrested
Rogue Rodartc and Refugio Lopez,
both of Brawley, who were in the
pool hall and were pointed out to
his as instigators of the propaganda
which has been circulated among
the Mexican laborcrs.
\ number of new deputies were
sworn into service by the sheriff
this morning aud another visit will
hc paid to Westmorland this after
noon with the view of Keeping
peace in that township.
The sheriff declared this morning
HAT more than 1000 Mexicans
lave gathered in the Wcstmorland
district and that he deemed the
guard necessary there to quash any
attempts at an uprising.
The second disturbance in the
Mexican labor situation in the val
ley occurred late yesterday after
noon on ranch four miles north
of Wcstmorland and as a result SO
MeXieans are locked up at the cOun-
~ Jail this morning,
Information was furnished the
sheriff's office shortly after 3 o.
clock that the men had refused to
work and that instead of peacefully
leaving the ranch they had grouped
about and were refusing to allow
anyone else to continue with duties
at the ranch. Sheriff Gillett immc-
diately gathered several deputies
and went to the ranch.
A roundup of the MeXicans was
then begun and short time later
50 of them were checked in at the
county Jail. They are: NJ. Comocho,
NJ. &. Terragas, Elardio Jimencz,
Julian Perez, Abelino Cullen, G. Il.
Billada, Joquain Somercdio, Martin
Perez, Jesus Chavez, Apolinio Pc
rpz, b. RamereZ, Francisco Listos,
\. Arrayo, f.. Guin, a. Maritime,
f.. Garcia, Jose Chavez, Julio Ly-
2ano, Jose Garcia, Antonio Ortez,
7. Estrada, Apolinio Gutierrez, Pine
Padrado, Jose Gonzales, V. Ramer-
ez, 5. Mokekan, Juan Sipulbia, Luis
Eschara, X. Eschara, NJ. Samerdio,
L. Rielo, Juan Vega, Luis Torres,
\. Ararzco and Filberto Rico.
Rico was arraigncd before Judge
Cook at Westmorland ON n charge
Of disturbing the peace. He plead
ed not guilty and was rcmanded to
the county Jail in default of $1,000
bail pending hearing. 1t is expect
ed that similar charges will be
placed against the other men today.
The four men arrested Monday
in connection with a similar strike
ut the Sears ranch near Brawley
were arraigned before Judge Grif'
fin at Brawley yesterday and faced
charges of disturbing the peace. All
pleaded not guilty and are being
held under $1,000 bail pending ar
raignment.
Sheriff Gillett has declared that
he will not tolerate any disturb
ances on the part of the Mexican
laborers. lie has warned them that
If they are not satisfied with con
ditions here that they may return
to Mexico.
The sheriff has made it clear that
rs long as no disturbances occur
his office will not interfere in any
way but in instances such as oc'
cured yesterday he will protect the
interests of the ranchers.