EVERYBODY READS IT"
m Monroe journal
PUBLISHED TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS
VOL.22. NO. 18.
MONROE, N. O, FRIDAY, MARCH 31, 1916.
ONE DOLLAR A TEAR.
"THE UNION COUNTY PAPER"
MOHK TROUBLE WITH GERMANY
0. 8. Relieve That She Has Disre
garded Her 1'ruinUies in Submarine
Man are.
Washington Dispatch, March 29.
The accumulation of circum
stantial evidence indicating thai
Germany has engaged .pod a
campaign of submarine .. refare
which has no regard (or the rights
of American citizens traveling on
merchant ships of belligerent nation
ality ihe Admisinstration considers
has created one of tlie most serious
situations which his confronted the
United Stales since the beginning of
the war in Europe.
Every agency open to the State
Department tonight was being em
ployed in an effort to gather an un
impeachable array of facts regarding
the explosion which damaged the
British Channel steamer Sussex, the
sinking of the British ships Manehe
ter Engineer. Englishman. Eagle
'.?oint and the Dutch steamer Tuban
tia, and the alleged firing of a tor
pedo at the French passenger ship
i'utria. All of these ships carried
American citizens, and all apparently
attacked in violation of Germany's
recently renewed assurances to the
United States.
The next step of the United States
is said authoritatively to have been
determined upon. In less Germany,
in reply to the inquiries made by the
United States through Ambassador
Gerard makes some statement to
cause the State Department to change
its present Intentions, is is Under
stood that all the recent aggravating
incidents will be combined into one
general formidable indictment which
will bring the entire subject to a
clear-cut issue.
Should Germany admit responsi
bility for any of the attacks and at
tempt to satisfy the United States by
saying that a mistake had been
made, offer to make reparation and
to punish the submarine comman
der, the issue would not by any
means be disposed of. It is regarded
as certain that the United States
would not accept such an explanation
as satisfactory, at least until time had
shown what punishment actually was
meted out to the offending subma
rine commander and whether any
value longer could be attached to
Germany's promises.
In the event of Germany disclaim
ing responsibility to the disasters, the
United States will proceed with its
investigations to determine to its own
satisfaction whether the evidence
which now strongly indicates that
the Sussex and other ships were tor
pedoed without warning can be re
garded as conclusive proof... with
such proof of it the Government
probably would net promptly. Of
llicials refrain from discussing what
tho nature of the action would be.
getting busy about
nut i: of gasoline
C-oiigressnmti Wants President to Tut
Embargo on Exports to keep Price
t rout tiding 10 -id cents,
Washington Star.
With the prediction that gasoline
for the use of the government itself.
in huge quantities, will reach a
wholesale price of 40 cents a gallon
in tho next two months, Representa
tive Srhley Howard of Georgia today
introduced a resolution authorizing
the President to declare an embargo
on gasoline, so as to prevent the ship
ment of American supplies of tho
fluid abroad. The resolution was writ
ten after a talk between Secretary of
Commerce Redlicid, who presented
some startling facts.
At the same time Representative
Steenerson of Minnesota introduced a
bill to give the federal trade commis
sion the power to fix the price on
gasoline and other allied products.
A subcommittee of the mines and
mining committee, headed by Repre
sentative Van Dyke of Minnesota, U
now going over some of the many
gasoline-prlcc-reduclng bills before
it, and nearly eveiy congressman Is
receiving daTly stacks of letters de
manding that action be taken before
the prices rises to untold heights.
Producers Want Forty Cents.
"I wan told by Secretary Redfleld,"
said Representative Howard today,
'"that tho coutrnct price for gasoline
for government consumption last year
was 11 cents. Now the producers are
coming here for contracts and will
not listen to any suggestion less than
40 cents."
Forty cents a gallon would be less
than the retail price. .
"What we ought to have," contin
ued Representative Howard, "Is ac
tion of the sort President Roosevelt
took at the time the coal strike was
threatening. Coal was scarce, prices
were rising and people in dire distress
because of the situation. Theodore
Roosevelt called President Baer of
the Erie down to see him, and told
him that if the Btrlke was not settled
in forty-eight hours he would send
troops Into the mining regions and
that the United States would take
over the mines. The strike was set
tled In forty-eight hours.
"Crudo petroleum Is one of the
great natural products of our nation.
One of Its by-products, gasoline, is
universally used, and science has not
yet discovered an economical substi
tute for It. A restriction of Its use
by the exaction of exorbitant prices
will effect hundreds of thousands of
our people In every walk of life. The
gas engine Is a great dynamic force
in our agricultural. Industrial, com
mercial and social activities.
Continual Rl.se a Scandal.
"No one In Congress In either
branch desires to Interfere with or
Impede the great prosperity with
which this country is blessed, so long
as that prosperity la derived from
legitimate profits; but the continual
rise In the price of gasoline, arbitrari
ly fixed by the refineries, has not only
reached the limit of endurance, but
It Is becoming a national scandal.
"The refineries defend their action
In fixing the existing and contemplat
ed exhorbitant prices by saying that
there is an increased demand oc
casioned by the European war and
a decreased production of crude oil.
Neither of the statements are true If
the various governmental depart
ments, including the Department of
Commerce, the Interior Department
the interstate commerce commission
(pipe line hearings) or federal trade
commission, are to be credited.
"The war In Europe has not In
creased tho exportation of gasoline
but it has decreased.
"The report of another govern
mental investigation, shortly to be
made public, will show that the 'on
hand' supply is greater than at any
time in the history of the country.
"The legislation I have asked for
to meet this situation has been enact
ed fourteen times by Congress, and
approved by four of the great Presi
dents of the United Slates.
"The discretion my bill gives to
the President to lift the embargo
when the price of gasoline is fairly
fixed has been declared constitu
tional by the Supreme Court in a
long line of decisions."
THIRTY KILLED IX WRECK
Three Trains Collided Xeur Cleve
land With Terrible Results.
Cleveland (O.) Dispatch, March 23.
With a toll of at least thirty per
sons dead and forty or more injured.
Federal State, and railroad officials
began today an investigation into the
cause that led early this morning to
one of the most disastrous wrecks
in the history of the New York Cen
tral system.
Three trains, Including the Twen
tieth Century Limited, westbound
the New York Central's Palatial Fil
er, and two sections of No. 86 known
as the Chicago-Pittsburg Limited
eastbound, came together in collision
near Amherst, Ohio, thirty-seven
mill's west of Cleveland.
Reports generally credited were
that the lust and second sections of
No. 8tt were proceeding at a rapid
rate and at some points were only a
mile or so apart. When the second
section crashed into the first section
tho Twentieth Century plowed into
tho wreckage of tho first two trains
which bulged over from the parallel
tracks and the three were thrown in
to an indescribable mass.
The great coaches and engines of
No. 86 were toppled over und wreck
age was piled thirty feet In tho uir
Two cars were smashed to junk
Fourteen coaches were overturned.
One Truin Emerges Uiiscrntched
The Twentieth Century notwlth
standing its impact with the derbls
from the other trains emerged al
most unscratched and proceeded on
its westward Journey, Its passengers
uninjured except for a severe shake-
Ing up. A pull of fog from Lake
Erie had settled down over North
ern Ohio and the nlsbt was of almost
inky darkness. This, with the alleged
failure of a tower man to do his duty
under tho rules, was ascribed by sonic
of the railroad officials as tho cause
of the wreck. The tower man, It was
said, had been without sleep most of
the tiiuo since Sunday night, his wife
being ill and requiring most of his
attention when he was not on duty.
A block signal, set suddenly against
a train speeding eastward with anoth
er train following in the next "block'
is thought by some to lie at tho bot
tom of the real cau.io of tho wreck.
A Word For l ather.
Correspondence of The Journal.
Of all words in our language there
is none more sweet than the word
home. What Is a home? Home Is
where love is. Where father and
mother agree and live for God and
the right. In all well regulated
homes there Is some one on whom
the responsibility of the homo should
rest. The caro of a homo is a re
sponsibility. We often hear the
word boss or governor when father
Is addressed, as much as to say, "t
don't respect you." While all good
people agree that woman should be
respected, protected, and defended In
what Is right by no means should
father be abused simply because on
him the financial responsibility rests.
When we go to school entertainments
we hear "Mother, Mother, Mother,"
that Is all right, but we should think
how father tolls all day and some
times part of the night In the store or
on the farm or in shop for the loved
ones at home, and give htm a share
of our love and respect. Now boys
there Is something marvelous In a
father's love. When he trusts you
with his turnout do you drive too
hard? Do you spend the money
wisely he gives you?
Mr. Webster said, "To revere a
father Is to obey him with fear mingl
ed with respect and affection." I
think the fear should not only bn of
correction but of wounding his lov
ing heart. SAGACITY.
Will Have a "Fourth."
Marshvllle Home.
Marshvlllo will have a Fourth of
July celebration climaxing anything
yet seen In this county.
To the Democratic Voters of Union
(Otintjr
I will bo a candidate for tho office
of Recorder for Union county at the
primary to be held on the 3rd June.
Regular announcement to be made
later. M. I.. FLOW.
NEGRO CAPTURED BUT LOST
Lancaster Man Wanted For Murder
Was Fond Near Guess Rut "Bum
oil the Wind" While Being Taken
In.
Pageland Journal.
It will be recalled that John Mc
Ilwain, the negro employe of the
Lancaster Cotton Oil Mill, without
provocation, shot Mr. Ernest M. Wat
kins, the superintendent. Saturday
night. November 6th. and that six
days later, after a brave fight for life.
Mr. Wat kins died at the Fennel In
firmary. The negro escaped in the
darkness as soon as he had fired the
tatal shot and though every effort
was nnde to capture him he eluded
the vigilance of the officers.
Mcllwainc was raptured about a
mile from Guess Thursday afternoon
about sunset by Messrs. C. L. Melton,
C. L. Culledge and C. W. Arnnt. He
s wanted In Lancaster for the killing
cf a w hite man who was superintend
nt of an oil mill last fall. The ne
gro ifi-.p"d and had been in hiding
since that un.. Ho had bivr. with
Irnaa Rorio near Guess since before
CiMi.-'tiuas and had started a eit.p.
11" '.lad been staying very rl.y.s stid
fj people Knew there was -:i -h a
ncjra in this s ;iion. It seems that
he went to Alfred Itlakeney. who is
said to deal in witchery to some ex
tent, am; asked him to get him out
of trouble, saying that he had been
i:i trouble in Georgia. Alfred report
ed to the authorities that this must
be the negro wanted in Lancaster.
and bis location and arrest was easy.
The men who arrested him pretend
ed to be bird hunting and were able
to get right upon him before their
purpose was known. The negro had
been plowing and was on his way
to tne bouse. He was taken in an
automobile and carried as far as C.
W. Arant's home, where preparations
were being made to carry him on to
Lancaster when Policeman Melton
turned him loose to fasten a sate.
The negro dashed away In the dark
ness and escaped. Mr. Melton chas
ing him and filing one shot in his
direction. Blood hounds were brought
from Columbia and started on the
trail Friday morning. The dogs fol
lowed the trail about four miles to
the home of Remus Cregory but no
further. Gregory was thought to
nave timed Mcllwain to escape by
carrying him in a buggy. Another
negro was tracked ar.d caught in the
afternoon near Jefferson but was
found to be the wrong one. Tho re
ward for Mcllwaln has been increas
ed to $600 by relatives of the murder
ed man. Mcllwaln gave his name as
Jim McKenzie.
Mr. Craytou Kelley, son of Mr,
Butler Kelley of Lanes Creek town
ship received his discharge from the
army on the third day of March nnd
enlisted in the navy nt San Francisco
on the next day. He had not served
the full four years, but purchased his
discharge and went Into the navy.
His address is San Francisco. Cal.,
U. S. N T. S.
Mr. John Jordan was run over by
nn automobile at Chesterfield Satur
day and badly bruised and rendered
unconscious for several hours. The
automobile was driven by Miss Nell
Melton.
Want n New Building at Unloiiviile
Correspondence of The Journal.
Uulonville, March 30. Mrs. Jen
nie James has returned from Knn
nnpolis, where she visited her sister,
Mrs. James Watson.
Mr. Iven Williford of Bostlc, visit
ed his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. A.
Williford last week. Ho moved his
Interest In the manufacturing plant
to Bostlc yesterday. New machinery
will be purchased and the plant run
on by Messrs. J. Ashley Price and
J. Vernon Mullis.
Miss Ruby Tomberlin Is seriously
ill with dipthorla nt this writing. Her
many friends wish for her a speedy
recovery to her accustomed health.
Dr. II. L. Price of Oakboro, nnd
brother, Mr. "Bill" Price of Pnlm
ersville, spent Sunday with their pa
rents. Mr. and Mrs. D. A. Price.
Misses Merab Stamey and Llllie
Presson Rpent the week-end in Mon
roe with relatives.
The many friends of Mrs. Ashley
Price willbe glad to learn that she
was able to bo moved from the sana
torium, where she has been some
time, to her brother's Mr. John Long.
Tuesday.
Misses Sarah Roger spent a few
days in Charlotte visiting her friend.
Miss Grace Baucom, this week.
Tuesday night the patrons of the
high school here met to discuss plans
ror obtaining money for the purpose
of erecting a new school building.
The following persons were appoint
ed as a committee to decide on a
plan for getting the money and also
the size of house required: Messrs.
D. A. Price, L. S. Griffin, H. M. Wil
liams. E. G. Faulkner, and Dr. A. D.
N. Whitley.
Our efficient principal, Mr. J. T.
Yeargin. spent Saturday in Monroe
on business.
Scapegoat, you said you wanted to
pick up a scrap with me. Now tell
me what you want to quarrel about.
and see if you don't get tho worst
end of the bargain. I known "Pad"
will take my part, 'cause I won't fuss
with him, but just talk good to him.
He's too much of a gentleman to ask
any-one to scrap with him, see?
Dear Mends, r am sorry that the
Mt. Pleasant correspondent had the
misfortune to sign her pen name the
same a my own. Hope she will cor
rect tho mistake, but If she Insists
on having that name. I'll change
mine.
WILD ROSE, of fnlonvllle.
A hungry doe ramns on tha trail nf
a juicy bone.
HAD HIS ROOTS OFF
And Couldn't Go Out in the Noisy
Night Advertise Useless Things.
Correspondence of The Journal.
Waxhaw. March 30. Mr. and Mrs.
Z. V. Mullis of Wingate. have moved
to Waxhaw, where Mr. Mullis has
opened a barber shop. He formerly
lived in this section.
Up to this time we have made no
effort to secure news matter from
Waxhaw proper. This was partly due
to the fact that there is a newspaper
there, and as we lived -in the coun
try we thought of confining ourselves
to the section around the town. But
It is pretty hard to get a column of
interesting matter twice a week
from no other source than the coun
try; that too. when we are bury with
other things. We have decided that
hereafter we will keep up this
column on this theory: All news is
news which falls Into a news man's
net.
The other night we were talking
to Mr. J. A. Niveu about a valuable
farming tool which he owns, but
which is unsuited to his soil, and we
asked him: "Why not ndvertise and
sell it." "Oh. I need It for the chick
ens to roost on" was the reply. Of
course he was only joking but it is
never the less a fact. There are
many fine tools lying about over the
country which for one reason or
another are not adapted to the own
er's uses and they serve no other
purpose than as a roost for chickens.
A few cents expended In an adver
tisement would not only recover a
small part of the cost of the Imple
ment, but would show some other
farmer a way to obtain just the thing
he needs.
Mrs. S. S. Orr, who lives with her
daughter. Mrs. J. A. Nlven, out In
the country, had a message early this
week announcing the death of her
only sister. Mrs. E. E. Studamlre, at
her home in Salisbury Monday. Mrs.
Studamlre was a native of the Mar
vin community, but Rpent a greater
portion of her life In Rowan coun
ty. She was at one time extensively
interested In the furniture business
at Salisbury, retiring a few years ago.
The funeral was held In Charlotte
Tuesday. We sympathize with
"Grandma Orr," who has herself
been suffering quite a while with fee
ble health.
Several years ago some boys In this
neighborhood got holu of the "dumb
bull" idea. The name was a mis-fit
for the Instrument, for It could
produce one of the loudest and un
earthly jungles that the ear of man
ever listened to. It was made of n
square wooden box a couple of feet
tins, about twice as largs at one end
as at the other. Over the small end
was tightly stretched a piece of raw
hide in the center of which was a
small perforation to permit the pas
sage of a piece of stout twine, which
was prevented from going dei'n
through by 'a knot in the outer end.
The operator would thrust his hand
Into the open end of the box and
taking hold of the twine which had
previously been well waxed, he would
pull slowly down, letting the string
slip through his fingers. Having per
fected three of their instruments In
the utmost secrecy from the neigh
borhood, the boys on night decided
on a grand concert. Accordingly,
one of them was stationed In an old
grnve-ynrd and the others at points
nearly a mile away. One of them In
a small hollow gave notice to the
neighborhood that something was on
with a shrill scream from his instru
ment, and a few seconds later ho wa1
answered with a hoarse and angry
bellow front tho graveyard. This was
in return replied to from far-off In
the opposite direction. Dogs began
to howl. Half a dozen doors were
opened ana shot guns nnd pistols
biased out in the darkness followed
by the noise of doors slamming as
the users of the fire arms would has
tily retreat Indoors. Up at home two
or three boys were gathered. When
the bedlam first broke loose they
were pretty badly frightened for
awhile, a couple of them decided that
whatever the sounds were, some cer
tain fellows in the neighborhood
were responsible for It, and they re
solved to go to their homes nnd see
If they were there. A younger brother
of one of the venturesome spirits was
very much opposed to the phin of in
vestigation and entreated his brother
not to go. His fears for his broth
er allayed his own fright to tho ex
tent that he rushed out into tho yard
calling after the retreating two, "Oh.
boys! dont's go, oon't go! oh, don't
you hear him grinding and grinding
his teeth in the graveyard. Direct
ly below home lived a colored man.
He was heard to call out to his son-in-law,
who lived a hundred yards
further on: "Oh. Lordy, i'ete, come
up here." To which invitation Pete
replied: "My God. John, I can't. I
got my boots off. Come down here."
SCAPEGOAT.
Death of a (icxxl Old Man Wingate
News
Correspondence of The Journal.
Wingate, March 29. Well. Mr.
Editor, since reading Scapegoat's
criticism and corrections and direc
tions as to how and what to write,
as a local correspondent, this old
scribbler feels almost llko "throwing
up his Job." However, hln short
comings and feeble efforts are out
balanced by the complimentary prais
es of his readers. So nil dosporan
dum, to be brief about it.
Messrs. Oscar Austin, Fred Wil
liams, Ernest and John Robeson
"Forded" over to Badln otherwise
Yadkin Narrows and to Palmers
rllle Monday to see the sights to be
seen there, returning Tuesday byway
of Concord, Mt. Pleasant and Char
ltte. They had a delightful trip.
Mr. and Mrs. H. A. Red fen rn visit
ed Mrs. Redrearn's mother. Mrs. Em
ma Barrett of White Store Mondav.
Mr. and Mrs. S. A. Williams visited
the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. Frank
Williams of Bakers, Sunday.
A mule belonging to Mr. "Moke"
Edwards of Marshville. got loose
from Its moorings on the church
grounds at Meadow Branch Monday
night and was not found until some
time Wednesday when it was discov
ered in the woods near Mr. George
Bailey's. Strange to say that neither
the animal nor buggy to which it
was attached was damaged by the In
cident. The hearts of his friends and old
war comrades will be made sad at
the news of the death of Mr. Hosea
J. Tomberlin which occurred at bis
home near Sincerity Tuesday after
noon. Mr. Tomberlin had just start
ed on his 85th year 84 years and
28 days, was his exact age. The de
ceased is survived by eight children,
four sons and four daughters, names
not known to the writer. His body
was buried ia the cemetery at
Mill Creek church Wednesday. Rev.
Jas. A. Bivens of Wingate and Rev.
Stover, a Methodist minister of
Unionville, conducted the funeral
services. Mr. Tomberlin was a
splendid old man. a good husband,
father, neighbor and a faithful mem
ber of the Baptist church. Uncle
Hosea was a comrade of the writer
during the Civil War. A member of
Co. I 53rd N. C. Regiment. While
Bro. Tomberlin was opposed to war
and loved peace, he was a brave
soldier and never shirked a duty.
Good-bye, old comrade, we shall soon
bivouac with you In the new and
more congenial quarters. There are
only about twenty more old Company
I remaining on this side of the river.
The meeting is progressing very
satisfactorily. Rev. Mr. Suttle of
Cleveland county, not Mr. Little, as
I said in my last notes. Is doing some
excellent preaching which is highly
appreciated by his hearers. The
preachers and members have adopted
the plan of carrying the services in
to the homes of invalids and reaching
the minds ar.d hearts of the people.
We had a most delightful and gra
cious service In our humble home
Wednesday afternoon. It did us all
good. O. P. TIMIST.
From SardlM .VeiglilHitluMM,
Correspondence of The Journal.
Monroe, Route 6, March 2S. We
have had more pretty weather for
the la:.t two weeks than v.e have
had In n lung time for the inonih of
March. There Is more woei; being
done on tho farm than ever has been
dono In this community before.
Kveryth Ing .hits made its appearance
for spring, even the snakes have
crawled out and are lying in the warm
sunshine. The writer has Just dis
patched one and as the old saying
is. he has overcome "all of his
enemies."
Well. Uncle Sam Is down In Mexi
co after Villa. Wonder what will be
the next happening? I guess it will
be war with Germany or Japan. When
the United States geta through with
Villa she will not be able to do any
thing else, for Villa says Germany is
helping him and I suspect she is for
I don't think the United Stales has
treated her exactly light.
Messrs. T. J. W. Broom and J. Z.
Green made Interesting talks at Cent
er Grove Bchool house last Thursday
night. Mr. and Mrs. Carl Wentz of Con
cord, visited Mr. and Mrs. R. S.
Helms the latter part of the week
and also Mrs. S. M. Wentz.
Mr. W. H. Yandlu has Improved
very much since my last writing.
Miss Martha and Mary Boyd of In
dian Trail visited Mr. and Mrs. Tom
Boyd Sunday.
Mr. Presley and family have moved
1o Ebenezer community. We miss
him very much because he cooperated
with us nt Sardis, but his place will
not be vacant. Mr. and Mrs. llunyan
Holms will occupy it.
A large crowd attended the ser
vices held at Stout last Sunday night
by Rev. A. B. Haywood.
BRASS.
Eighteen Hundred Xegro Troops- l:i
Mevico.
El Paso (Tex.) Dispatch, March 2!).
Three battalions of the Twenly
fntirih United States Infantry, num
bering 1.800 men. I.'ft Colnmbu.i. N.
M.. today, crossed the Mexican bor
der and marched south toward Casas
Grandes. The fourth battalion of tho
regiment will be distributed for bor
der patrol duty at Marfa, Fabens and
Presidio.
These reinforcements give Gen.
Pershing nearly seven thousand!
troops in Mexican service. The
Twenty-fourth Infantry, n negro regi
ment, is the only unit of the Ameri
can army recruited to full war
strength. The men are also among
the largest physically of any Ameri
can soldiers. The stalwart negroes
dipped the regimental colors and
cheered as they marched over the
line.
The destination Is unknown, but
from the fart that detachments, which
have been on transport line patrol,
have been drawn ' closer to Casas
Grandes, the presumption Is that the
negro soldiers will guard the stretch
from Casas Grandes to the border.
The two companies with the regi
mental colors and staff were first
across tho line today, the other
companies of the three battalions fol-
owing In extended order to avoid the
clouds of dust raised by a heavy
column.
Hard work never killed any man.
It only snuffs out the makeshifts.
Wo want t Vtt a billion d liar
loan. too. Who v-m do V- underwriting?
Yll.ia's BUMDY WAKE
Said to Have Killed Every Soul on
One Branch and Tort ureal Tluata
on Another Nearly l.t Ills life.
Sun Antonio (Tex.) Disputc-h, 30.
After killing every one of the on
hundred and seventy-two men In tho
garrison at Guerrero, Francisco Vil
a moved northward yesterday and
now i somcnere near the lw::d wa
ters of the Santa Maria rive, accord
ing! to information secured by Cea.
Funston tonight.
Villa wa caid to havp bfen either
on the Sun Geronimo ranch cr the
Quenada ranch at tho head nf a con
siderable force and troops of both tho
United States and Utxicn u j u -liev-ed
to be closing in on him. This in
formation was regarded l.y Gen. Fun
ston and staff as probably correct.
If correct, it appear pr;bublo that
very soon Villa will nave to face
his pursuers in a light r make an
other break through the! tightening
lines of troops.
Whether his assault o:i the garri
son at Guerrero was the same en
gagement reported by Gen. Perishing,
was nol known but it v..;r. considered
likely, since the action reported by
Gen. Pershing occurred March 27,
somewhere in that region.
Gen. Pershing has been advised of
the result as to Villa's location and
it is known that the disposition of his
troops and those of the Mexicon gov
ernment are such that Villa cannot
easily escape without a fight. Ameri
can troops are converging in columns
from the north and it was indicated
that a party of them had gone so
far south that they would be able to
Join with the Carranza forces in pre
venting his escape in that direction.
Choked Villa.
Field Headquarters American Ex
peditionary Forces, Colonia Dublan.
Chihuahua, March 26, by Motor
Truck to Columbus, March30. It
has been learned here that Francisco
Villa nearly lost his life a Tew days
ago on the Corralitos ranch, a short
distance from this place, where ho
tortured and put to death five Mexi
cans. One of his victims leaped up
on him and was strangling Villa when
officers beat his assailant senseless
with the buls of their guns.
Muclo Polanco was the r.nnie of tho
Mexican who almost succeeded in
ending Villa's career.
The murder of five members of
the I'alanco family was :'id to have
been intended as a waning; to other
Mexicans against havn;; dealing
with American:!. Invc3tir.:itIon show
ed that the Polanco family was in
volves! with no political faction in
Mexico, but that they h:;d a record
of uniform honesty nnd n liability in
dealing with tho American managers
of the Corralitos ranch, where they
were born and reared.
When Villa, retreating; from Co
lumbus, arrived at the ranch ho had
a list of all the 1'olanci'.-;. six nun.
mother and two daughters. Hn
seized the men and hunted for tho
daughters, but the youim women had
hidden so well that he never found.
"Too Americanized."
To live of the men, Giegorio nnd
his two sons, and Murio cud his one
son. Villa said:
"I am rotiig to kill y u hecatisi
you are too Amcrieanizi d. You urn
gringo lovers."
But instead of killing them out
right Villa had them partly stripped
and then beaten with the flats of
heavy swords. Murio Polanco broke
away from his captors ar.d got on
hand locked about Villa's throat be
fore he was beaten off.
Next Villa ordered th" live stood
up beneath a huge arch v. ay where ho
told them he would hi'.ng them.
Ropps were placed about their necks
and they were Jerked iit'O the air
but were not permitted to dip. Just
when loss of consclotisno r. npi coach
ed they would bo lowei.-l to earth
with demands that they reveal tho
hiding places of horses sid to he
hidden nbout the ranch. There wor.
no horses so far as an lvv.'.'igatloti
has disclosed. The pii. o:icis iilso
were offered their live If Uicy would
tell where money was hidden or point
out valuable documents.
Killed Alter Mock Uanejuu.
After several mock hi:!i ;ings, Vil
la ordered the five men taken Into
the garden where each waa shot five
times.
To the residents of the ranch, all
Mexicans. Villa said: "You may bury
them or net. ns you please."
They were burled In one. grave af
ter Villa left.
Before going Villa led one malo
member of (ho family, Gregorio, Jr..
aged 21. brck to the young man's
mother and said to her:
"I am going to leave you this ono
son to support you. You ought to
thank me for leaving him."
Next tho bandit Imprisoned each
of the workmen on the ranch, placing
them in separate rooms. When ho
had them nil locked up he went to
each one in turn, warning him in
these words: "I am roinini; back and
if I don't return somo rne else will
kill any one here whom he finds
working for Americans."
Father's Boy
A Georgia Representative received
a letter from a man In his district.
"Dir Sir," the letter ran: "My
youngest son has gone away and en
listed In the regular army. I can't
get him out. Won't you help me?
He Is a good boy and I was raising
him for my own use."
If you think taxes In this country
are high, Just think of the poor la
Europe for the next generation.
Man propones, woman supposes,
and the precs exposes.