A NOTORIOUS MEXICAN.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 55, 6 March 1914, Page 4

A NOTORIOUS MEXICAN.

The Mexican rebel leader V ilia, in whom much interest is being taken at this time, first came into notoriety some twenty-live years ago, when an officer attached to President Diaz was shot dead by Villa for insulting tiie latter’s sister. After he had killed his man. Villa rode off into the mountains, declining to face a trial, killed part of the force that was sent after him. and was afterwards known as “Villa the Bandit.” He continued an outlaw’s life for some time, although it is stated he confined his robberies to the well-to-do. When General Madorn

•evolted against President Diaz, A ilia oined him, and was made Colonel, and, on Madero’s elevation to the Presidency, continued an officer in the army. . ■ Later, when further revolts occurred, and Huerta was placed in command, A'illn rebelled against his commander. He was arrested and imprisoned, hut escaped and fled to tbc

United States, it is believed, with the connivance of Madero. Then, when Madero was killed and Huerta became President, Villa took the field again. According to the New York Sun, Villa slipped out of El Paso one night with a borrowed horse, a revolver, and thirty shillings in cash. To-day. eight months later, be is dictator of the State of Chihuahua, at the head of 10,000 men. It is said that he shoots his men for looting, hut he also “confiscates whole estates, factories, railroad systems, and operates them as nonchalantly as he used to hold up and rob an ore train in the mountains.” AVitli the money so gained he pays his armed force. In all probability it was his protest against such confiscation that cost Benton his life. Villa governs the State on Socialist!'lines. In Juarez he has put the tramway systems, the shops, the brewery, the electric light plant, ami even the gambling-houses, under “Government” control: that is to say he directly runs these little affairs himself.