Men don't scare very easy when they're fighting to keep other men
from shooting up and burning their homes.
-Don MacGregor
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Friday August 27, 1915
From The Wichita Beacon: David Bruce Reports from Chihuahua, Mexico-Part 3
Starving Women & Children, Mexico, Wichita Beacon, Jun 4, 1915.
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In its August 12th edition,
The Wichita Beacon published a report by David Bruce from Chihuahua, Mexico, which describes the measures enacted by General Pancho Villa against certain merchants who charge exorbitant prices for food while thousands of men, women, and children starve all around them.
Hellraisers has republished the article in three parts, concluding today the with part three.
From The Wichita Beacon of August 12, 1915:
"HOW VILLA DEALS WITH THOSE TAKE BREAD
OUT OF MOUTHS OF POOR"
-Part 3 by David Bruce
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General Francisco Villa
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"If anyone in this room wishes to continue selling for American gold," continued Villa, "his place is in the United States. I will have a train ready in the morning to take all such to the border.
"You hear that, Limon!" he said, turning to the jefe des amres, "See the train is ready. You will make no provision for food on it. Those who have starved others should themselves taste hunger.
"In the meantime---,"
A shaking Mexican merchant jumped to his feet and wailed aloud:
"I never sold any goods for gold. Before God I did not, I---."
"I know all about you," said Villa. "Tell that story to our God; not to me."
The man collapsed and began to sob.
"I know exactly what every man has been charging," said Villa. "My inspectors have been at work for weeks, and I---."
Villa turned to Limon, the jefe des armes.
"I do not think all the merchants are here," he said. "Tomorrow you will bring me the names of all those who failed to attend this meeting. They shall be dealt with. In the meantime, separate the foreign merchants from the native."
This was done. Villa gave a sharp order. The native merchants were marched out in a long double line under a guard of soldiers. They were taken direct to the penitentiary.
Villa turned to the foreigners.
"As for you gentlemen," he said. "If you wish to charge gold prices you will go to the United States. I will see to that. You had better take inventories of your stocks tonight. To show I am fair. I will pay you the cost price of your stock plus 15 per cent profit. I am overgenerous. As you leave, you will give your names and addresses to the Senor Limon. That is all I have to say to you."
And he turned on his heel and walked out.
The foreigners ran for their stores like scared rabbits. Some began taking stock. Some tried to make away with the books; two were caught at this and sent to jail.
And in the meantime the city seethes with excitement. Soldiers are everywhere. On every street, on the Plaza on the Alameda, little knots of men are gathered discussing what has happened, speculating on what will happen, on what the gringoes will do. From the poorer quarter, where hunger has been, a steady murmur rises and fails, rises and falls, and no man knows what may come next.
~~~~~~~~~~
SOURCE
The Wichita Beacon
(Wichita, Kansas)
-Aug 12, 1915
http://www.newspapers.com/...
IMAGES
Starving Women & Children, Mexico,
Wichita Beacon, Jun 4, 1915.
http://www.newspapers.com/...
Francisco (Pancho) Villa,
Jose Doroteo Arango Arambula (1878-1923)
http://www.donquijote.org/...
See also:
Don MacGregor + JayRaye
http://www.dailykos.com/...
"Memoir of a Proud Boy" by Carl Sandburg
http://moapb.weebly.com/
Note: Bruce David is the pen used by Don MacGregor following his service as a General in the Miners' Army during the Colorado Mine War of 1914 which began after the Ludlow Massacre. MacGregor was also the reporter for the Denver Express who described the arrival of the miners and their families at the Ludlow Tent Colony on the first day of the strike.
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Dear Readers of Hellraisers,
This year for my vacation, Hellraisers will not be as scaled back as it was for the past two vacations. This happy change is due to my new & much faster computer.
The big change that my readers will see, starting July 16th, will be the shorter length of the postings along with fewer links.
When my readers find unfamiliar names, places, or events, please use the tags along with JayRaye (in diarist section of search feature). Or just leave a question for me in the comments and I will get back to you.
When I actually leave for Minnesota, I'll let everyone know.
Solidarity,
JayRaye
Note: Vacation has started! Until Aug 7th, I'll be able to check in about twice a day. From Aug 8-30th, I'll be checking in only 2 or 3 times per week. Hope everyone keeps on Raising Hell (with the corporate powers, not with each other) until my return from Minnesota.
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How Can I Keep From Singing - John McCutcheon
When tyrants tremble, sick with fear,
And hear their death-knell ringing,
When friends rejoice both far and near,
How can I keep from singing?