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. District wiitb Associated Press
I service. , z
THIRTY-EIGHTH YEA IL
MEXICAN SITUATION IS VERY SERIOUS
FIVE HUNDRED VILLA BANDITS
RAID AMERICAN CITY: BURNING
AND SLAYING IN GUERILLA WAY
American Cavalry Clears The City
As The Bandits Left It
In Flames
WASHINGTON DOES NOT
COMMENT ON THE RAID
President Hears The News While
Conferring With New
Secretary
WASHINGTON, D. C„ March
The massacre of American citizens at
( olumbus, New Mexico, within the bor
ders of the United States, makes it dif
ficult for President Wilson to refrain
from actual interference with Mexico.
Officials in Washington admit the
fear of an outbreak in congress. The
state department said the situation *s
wry serious. A memorandum to Gen
eral Carranza de facto head of the Mex
ican nation recently recognized by the
United States, is understood to have
been started.
*
Senator Fall, of New Mexico, has
telegraphed citizens in the stricken
town for details.
“Means intervention,” stated Senator
Robinson, of Arkansas, in referring to
the massacre.
Senator Stone, chairman of the for
eign relations committee, has commun
icated with the state department.
“It looks like Funston must get
busy,” w a s the comment of Senator
Ben Tillman, of South Carolina.
Quiet Prevails Now.
COLUMBUS, N. M., March 9—At 2:2d
< clock this afternoon quiet prevails
h' re after a night filled with terror for
the inhabitants, and great loss to
property owners. The first fighting
between Villa and the troops occurred
v.ithin the city proper, with Villa per
sonally leading the bandits. Several
survivors of the massacre state they
saw a man whose appearance corres
ponds with published photographs of
Villa dictating to tlie raiders, and per
sonal papers found in a portmanteau
abandoned by the Mexicans undoubted
ly belong to Villa. This, coupled with
the statement of one man who knows
the bandit chieftain by sight that he
saw Villa, apparently established the
badership of the raiders.
Before the first attack was made, all
wires leading toward El Paso were cut
<by the Mexicans, who appear to have
at ted according to carefully matured
plans. This afternoon Columbus pre
sents a war-torn appearance, every
building in the town, apparently, hav
ing been struck by the flying bullets.
Hardly a window remains without one
o' more panes of glass broken, and
bodies of the victims of the massacre
have not yet been buried. The Mexican
dead, it is authoritatively reported,
numbered eighteen, while a unknown
number of wounded succeeded in es
caping.
Major Frank Tompkins, commanding
two troops of the Thirteen United
States cavalry, chased the raiders out
of Columbus early this morning, and
the troopers have not returned. One
port states the cavalrymen crossed
the border close upon the trail of the
bandits and that a fight between the
Americans and Villa's men cn Mexican
soil will soon occur. During the run
ning fight, following the expulsion of
the raiders from Columbus, Troop G,
Thirteenth cavalry caught the retreat
ing Mexicans on their right flank, kill
ing eighteen of their number. Six
United States troopers were killed dur
ing the fight with the bandits.
Situation Admitted Serious.
WASHINGTON, D. C., March 9. —
President Wilson and Secretary Baker
of the war department discussed the
raid on Columbus, N. M., briefly this
Fmorning, but no announcement con
cerning the administration’s probably
course of action was given out.
The raid started new agitation ia
congress favoring energetic action in
the Mexican crisis. Opponents of the
Wilson administration openly charged
today that, the Carranza government Is
powerless to restore order, while offi
cials remained silent. It is indicated
however, the situation is considered
critical, and that its presents many dif
ficulties for the Wilson policy of non
interference. At the White House it
was said vigorous step are to be taken
without delay, but no intimation is
given out concerning the nature of
these steps.
One course discussed in. official cir
cles and generally commented on fav
orably, is that of sending troops into
Mexico to clean out the bandits infest
ing Sonora, Chihuahua and other
northern states of the republic, such
invasion to be simultaneous with a
[declaration to the powers of the Amer
ican hemisphere that territorial integ
| rity of Mexico is not to be impaired.
More Bandits Sighted.
DOUGLAS, N. M., March 9.—Rail
road dispatches from Mimbres said
that eight hundred bandits passed
there headed towards Wachita, New
Mexico.
Villa Hangs Americans.
COLUMBUS, N. M„ March 9.—Gen
cral Villa has hanged three Americans
captured Tuesday and burned their
bodies, says information received here.
Two others were also killed and tliei••
bodies burned.
WASHINGTON, I). C.. March 9.
I irst reports of the Mexican bandit raid
on Columbus, New Mexico, five miles
. northeast of the Mexican border, was
I received at the White House this
j morning, being conveyed to President
Wilson while he was in midst of a con
ference with Newton D. Baker, recent
ly appointed secretary of war. Neither
the president or Secretary Baker have
AMERICUS TIMES-RECORD ER
publicly commented on the raid.
At the different governmental de
partments officials did not hesitate,
however, to say the raid on Columbus
puts a very serious aspect on the Mex
ican situation. While heretofore the
Wilson administration's policy has
been to look to the Carranza govern
ment to deal with border bandits, num
erous Wilson supporters in official cir
cles openly declar there exists a ser
ious question as to whether or not the
raid on Columbus furnishes enough
evidence of Carranza’s inability to
deal with the situation. The sending
of United States troops into Mexico
for the purpose of stamping out bor
der warfare, at noon: today, is regard
ed -extremely probable, thodgh there
still exists a possibility that such
action may be undertaken in co-opera-
(Continued on Page 8.)
stitecbopbepß
SHOWS BIG HEIDS
WASHINGTON, D. C., March 9.—A
summary of the March crop report for
the state of Georgia and for the Unit
ed States as compiled by the Bureau
of Crop Estimates (and transmitted
through the Weather Bureau) U. S. De
partment of Agriculture, is as follows:
Wheat on Farms: State —Estimated
stocks on farms March 1, this year,
008,000 bushels, compared with 339,000
a year ago, and 370,000 two years ago.
Price on March 1 to producers, $1.30
per bushel, compared with $1.46 a
year ago, and $1.17 two years ago.;
United States—Estimated stocks on
farm s March 1 this year, 32,500,000
bushels, compared with 152„903,000,000
a year ago and 151,795,000 two years
ago. Price on March 1 to producers,
$1.02 per bushel, compared with $1.34
a year ago, and $0.83 two years ago.
Corn on Farms: State—Estimated
Mocks on farms March 1 this year, 32.- |
500,000 bushels, compared with 29, -|
120,000 a year ago, and 33,402,000 two '
years ago. Price March 1 to produc
eres, 89 cents per bushel, compared
with 93 cents a year ago, and 93 cents
two years ago; United States—Esti
mated stocks on farms March 1 this
year, 1,140,000,000 bushels, compared
with 910,894,000 a year ago, and 866,-
352,000 two years ago. Price March I
to producers, 68.2 cents per bushel,
compared with 75.1 cents a year ago,
and 69.1 cents two years ago.
Corn of Merchantable Quality:
State —The percentage of the 1915 corn
crop which was of merchantable qual
ity is estimated at 88 per cent., com
pared with 86 per cent, of the 1914
crop, and 90 per cent, of the 1913 crop;
United States—The percentage of the
1915 crop which was of merchantable
quality is estimated at 71.3 per cent.,
compared with 84.5 per cent, of the •
191.4 crop and 80.1 per cent, of the 1913
crop.
Oats on Farms; State—Estimated
stocks on farms March 1 this year, 3,-
000,000 bushels, compared with 1,-
710,000 a year ago, and 1,756,000 two
years ago. Price March 1 to produc
ers, *8 cents per bushel, compared wite
73 cents a year ago and 67 cents two
years ago; United States—Estimated
stocks on farms March 1 this year,
."97,000,000 bushels, compared with
679,369,000 a year ago, and 419,481,000
MEMBER ASSOCIATED PRESS
AMERICUS. GEORGIA. THURSDAY AFTERNOON. MARCH 9, 1916
IBHSEBILL STAR IS
IHSiTOR IN GIH
J. Edward Spellman, of Omaha,
j Ntbr., a member of the Cleveland
American baseball squad when they
trained in Americus in the spring of
1914, is a visitor in the city. He is now
with the Milwaukee team and included
Americus in his route from his home
on his way to spring training camp in
Arkansas.
Spellman likes Americus, and as evi
dence pays the city a visit, although
his team is training hundreds of miles
tway. He will assist in the efforts of
Knv?ricus people to bring a big league
I team to train here in 1917.
PLANTER'S BANKIN
FINE CONEJIW I
DIWDENOJ IF ID P.G.
In keeping with their consistent
growth since the day on February 21,
1892, the Planters Bank of Americus
was founded, the stockholders held
their annual meeting last night and
declared a dividend of 10 per cent, on
the capital stock of $50,000.
The officers and directors during the
past year were re-elected, these offi
cials being: President, L. G. Council;
Vice President, C. M. Council; Cashier.
H. S. Council; Assistant Cashier, T. E.
Bolton; Directors: t- G. Council, C.
M. Council, H. S. Council, C. E. Ansley,
C. J. Lewis, of Mputezuma; W. B.
Brown and E. B. Council.
The fiscal year for the Planters’
flank ended on February 20tli, and the
report on the financial condition of
the institution was made from the
close of business on Saturday, Febru
ary 19th, showing that their deposits
amounted to $581,000, which was an in-;
crease of alfout $175,000 in comparison
' with the amount on hand at th? same
time in 1915. The surplus of the
l ank now amounts to $175,000, which
is three and one-half times the total
capital stock of the institution.
The splendid condition of the Plant
ers’ Bank, and the flattering reports
made by its officers bespeak encourage
ment of financial conditions, show the
I wonderful strength of this bank.
MRS. M WILLIAMSIS
OEM AT ARABI
Mrs. J. S. McWilliams passed awav
Tuesday morning at her home in Arabi.
Mrs. McWilliams was known and loved
by a large circle of friends in Ameri
cus, and throughout Sumter as well, 1
all of whom will regret to learn of her
death. She was the eldest daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. John Drew, who now
reside near Richland.
She was a devoted wife and mother,
and no truer Christian ever lived than
Mrs. Drew 7 . She W’as loved by all who
knew her, and no lady in her town was
looked upon as a batter example for
God’s children.
The remains were laid to rest in the
cemetery near Arabi Tuesday after
noon at 3 o’clock, the services being
conducted by Rev. Nelson, pastor of
Arabi church.
The deceased is survived by her hus
hand, three sons and two daughters,
besides her aged father, several broth
ers and sisters who are left to mourn
her loss.
two years ago. Price March Ito pro
'tlucers, 42.7 cents per bushel, compar
ed with 52.1 cents a year ago and 38.9
cents two years ago.
MAYOR JONES ID
HEAD THE CRISP;
FAIR COMMITTEE
A letter was sent to Mayor J. Gordon
Jones, of Cordele, asking him to head
the Third Agricultural District fair
committee from Crisp county as chair
man. This morning the following let
ter was received from him:
“I have yours of the 6th inst., and in
reply thereto beg to say that I will
gladly act as chairman of the commit
tee which I have appointed to repre
sent Crisp county in making the
‘Third Agricultural District Fair’ a
success. I am, however, a very busy
man, but fo?l that I have selected a
committee who will take a pride and
personal interest in the work and can
be counted on to aid in every way pos- .
sible to carry through the entire prop- (
■osition successfully.
“It has always been my idea that (
these district fairs would be of more
benefit to the people than a general
state fair, for that, when the interest
of a particular section is brought to
gether and is localized, it always
creates a greater rivalry, and interest ,
among the people to push forard and (
tc accomplish more than they had j
ever before, and I have noticed that
the state fairs do not bring about this
spirit of rivalry and contest, which ,
means development. (
“The bringing together of the nine- ]
teen counties in this district will
bring together a community which
looks forward to about the same crops
and all the people are engaged in (
about the same line of farming and
stock raising. (
“If there is anything further I can )
do to aid you and your associates in (
this work, let me know.”
The committee appointed by Mayor (
Jones is a strong one and is as fol
lows: S. C. Byrd, chairman of the ,
Crisp county board of commissioners;
J. W. Bivins, superintendent of Crisp
county schools; C. M. McKenzie, J. J. f
Williams and J. W. Cannon. All these f
men are wide-awake, progressive citi- .
zens of Crisp county, and it will be
found that they will be the making of
this big fair.
■. I
HEPDHTS OF WAR
PROGRESS VARI
FROM BOTH ENDSi
1
<
BERLIN, March 9. —Germans troops (
operating before Verdun have stormed }
and captured the village and armoured ,
fert at Vaux, northeast of Verdun, says (
pn official war office communication. t
Vaux is tlie second the armoured de- (
senses of Verdun to fall before German s
assaults. The fighting for possession
of Verdun continues.
J
l aris Denies Fall of Vaux. y
PARIS, March 9. —The Germans sus
-1., inert a repulse between Douamont (
and Vaux after heavy infantry attacks
last night. Intense artillery fire pre 4
cedded the attempted advance, being
continued throughout the action. The R
Germans, after entering Vaux village (
were defeated and forced to retire. The t
French armoured position at Vaux re
mains impregnable.
'
Germany Wars Portugal. <
BERLIN, March 9.—The Overseas s
agency says that Germany declared
war on Portugal yesterday. |
08. M’KEE GOES
TO ATUATA MEET
S. 11. McKee, D. D. S., leaves tonight
for Atlanta, where he goes to attend
tlx Fourth Annual Mid-Winter Clinic
of the Atlanta Society of Dental Sur
geons, which convenes for a two-days’
session) at the Hotel Ansley, March 10
and 11.
Nlllffl MELTON IN
RESCUE PAHTY WITH
ffIERNOR HARRIS
While Governor Nat E. Harris as
sisted in the role of rescuing several
wrecked motorists, he was accompan
ied by Quimby Melton, former editor
of the Americus Times-Recorder and
new secretary of the Bainbridge Board
of Trade.
The following account of the acci
dent is from the dispatch to the state
press:
Bainbridge, Ga., March 9. —Governor
Nat E. Harris played an important
part in the rescue of three young men
from an overturned automobile here
late yesterday afternoon.
Th? governor with Mayor Callahan
and Secretary Quimby Melton, of the
Board of Trade, were coming from
Cairo to Bainbridge when they met an
underslung roadster speeding along.
Just as the two cars passed the driv
er of the roadster attempted to take
a sharp curve and the car went into
the ditch and turned turtle.
The governor immediately ordered
the driver of the car in which he was
riding to back up and by the time the
place of the accident was reached, he
was out of the car and helping lift the
roadster off the three young men.
The young men in the car were G. H.
Hopkins, of Tallahassee, Fla.; Nelson
Armor, ol Macon, and J. J. Kendall, of
Jacksonville. They were brought to
Bainbridge in the Callahan car and
given medical attention. Hopkins was
,badly shaken up. Armor was bruised
and Kendall sustained a broken ankle.
87 PER GENT WAS
BACK TO SOOTH
WASHINGTON, D. C., March 9.
During January, 1916, Southern Rail
.v.ay company disbursed for labor, ma
terial, supplies and other purposes
t-1.649,883, of which $4,078,750, or 87.71
per cent., was paid to individuals and
industries located in the South, ac
cording to figures announced today by
Comptroller A. H. Plant. Dues to the
progress made in its improvements,
large amounts were expended during
the month for construction purposes;
the total amount disbursed by the com
pany during th? month in the South
was $167,135 more than it received
from the people of the South for trans
portation.
The company spent $1,027,892.04 in
January for improvements to its road
way and structures, as against $1,007,-
870.60 during January, 1915, and $197,-
625.44 during January, 1914. For the
seven months ended January, 1916, $4,-
465.283.44 was disbursed for improve-
ments to roadway and structures, as
against $5,441,135.77 during the same
period in 1915, and $1,680,278.67 during I
tbe same period in 1914. .
. i ;
Y ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ <r >♦♦♦♦♦
* WEATHER REPORT. ♦
* FOR AMERICUS AND GEOR- ♦ ’
* GIA —Fair today; probably ♦
warmer Friday. ♦
ri'Tv
V edition!.
INTEREST GROWS
IN CHILDREN'S
FAIR BUILDING
The schools are now beginning te
send in their money for the Edaea
tional Building at the Third Agricuft*.
la! District fair with a rush. The. fix*
school in Schley county to send in its
ironey was Lewis’ High school, on tbe
Ellaville road, presided over by Min
Jennie Harrison. This school has en
rolled 43 children, each of whom y
ten cents for their share of stock «a
tbe building of the structure.
Prof. Thos. J. Barrett, superintiwwf-.
ent of the Plains school, having al
ready sent in money from 33 child—
this morning sent to Secretary Hywra
17 additional dimes, making 50 children
altogether from that school who haw
invested in the building. He write*
that he will have more yet, and as rap
idly as the pupils bring in their dimes
they will be forwarded to the fair at
ffice in Americus.
A letter was received this mornhag
from Prof. M. C. Adams, principal «£
the DeSoto school, enclosing the monep
from 15 scholarrs. Mr. Adams steCea
in his letter that the school will
more money in a few days.
Both the Leslie and Huntlndgtoa
schools have made splendid collee
ti< ns for this building and the monajr
will be sent in to the Americus ofßce
ti ls week. The Leslie school has tea
rolled 125 children who brought
cents each for this fair building.
A list of teachers has been furnish©!
Secretary Hyman by the county super
intendents of nearly all the counUte
in this agricultural district, and mor*
will follow as fast as they are made ap.
General Chairman Geo. R Ellis la
very much pleased with the recepUn
that is being given this plan to buiM
tbi 8 two-story brick building for the
use of educational exhibits and to ba
used exclusively by the children.
Yesterday the office was busy all day
sending out circulars and letters to
all the teachers in Terrell, Schley amt
Cris counties. The mail sent out dar
ing the day was so heavy it had to b*
carried to the postoffice in a mail
sent over by the The
teachers are receiving a sac-simile let
ter sent here by Hon. M. L. Brilteby.
state superintendent of Education, and
a bunch of circulars, one for each chDtl
enrolled. These circulars lead as toU
lows:
Educational and Children’s Build
ing Third Agricultural District Fife,
October 23 to 28, 1916.
Plan: Each child is to bring, tea:
cents to his or her teacher. Tkueir
names will be taken down and tbe
teacher down and the teacher of eabe
school or grade will send their name*,
and money to the office of the Third.
Agricultural District Fair, E. H. Hy
man, general manager, Americus, Ga.
What They Wil] Get: The pupil win
receive by mail a handsome colored
certificate stating that they have paSt
their ten cents and own a share at
stock amounting to 10 cents in the
handsome building to be erected.
What Is This Worth? When th*
Third District fair is held this fall, Oc
tob?r 23rd to 28th, all tbe pupils wh*
own a stock'certificate, will haveto d»
; s to present it at the gate, and IV wifi
entitle him or her to a free admission
to the fair grounds. At the gate ad
mission for children will be 25 cents'
hence you can see that this is a bust
ness investment for you to ■save I*
c< nts by buying stock in the ohiidreß’?
building.
What Does the School; Get? he
school teacher who sends in the money
ftotn his or her upils will receive t
vtry handsome diploma stating that
(Continued on Page 8.)
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