Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, 1918

File No. 312.11/8633

The Ambassador in Mexico ( Fletcher) to the Secretary of State

No. 1291

Mexico, August 6, 1918.

Sir: For the ready reference of the Department, I have the honor to transmit enclosed a list of Americans who since the assumption of my duties at this post in February 1917 have been reported as having received personal injuries at the hands of Mexicans.

The list is based on an examination of this Embassy’s files and is not intended to cover instances of injury to American property, but is a compilation of cases of American citizens who have been arrested, kidnapped, imprisoned, wounded, or killed, or who have otherwise suffered personal injury.

Representations appropriate to each case were promptly made by the Embassy and I am sorry to have to report that, with the exception of the case of Malone and Rigsdale, these representations were practically without result.

I also append herewith copy of a list of 17 American citizens who have been murdered in Mexico since February 1917. This list was handed by me personally to the Subsecretary of Foreign Affairs, on August 1, 1918.

I have [etc.]

Henry P. Fletcher

[Enclosure 1—Memorandum]

American Citizens in Mexico Murdered Since February 1, 1917

Names of persons	Date		Place
Andrew Peterson	}	Feb. 14, 1917	Border, south of Hachita, N. M.
Hugh Accord
Bert Jensen
Francisco Galeana	Apr. 11, 1917	San Miguel de Allende.
J. D. Pilgrim	Apr. or May, 1917	Chamal Colony, near Tampico.
Hiram W. Collins	May 14, 1917	State of Sonora.
Robert W. Robertson.	May 26, 1917	Colonia, Tamaulipas.
Lincoln Wieder	Oct. 26, 1917	Near Guerrero, S. L. Potosí.
Lee Sharp	}	About Nov. 29, 1917	Near Del Rio, Texas, in Mexico
Clarence Sellers
Lee Rasmussen	Dec. 6, 1917	Near Esperanza, Sonora.
American soldier [McGrugan, private].	}	Jan. 3 [8?], 1918	{	Border, south of La Grulla, Texas.
Ralph Snovel	Jan. 24, 1918	On train, near Guaymas, Sonora.
Richard Rushworth	Feb. 10, 1918	Tepeapulco, Hidalgo.
Edgar House	Feb. 21, 1918	Tampico, Tamps.
Lieutenant Chaille	June 13, 1918	Border.
A. W. Stevenson	July 30, 1918	Tepetate, Vera Cruz.

[Enclosure 2]

Personal Injury Cases 1917

Julius B. Osterwald: Reported dead of gunshot wounds at San Gerónimo, Oaxaca, December 25, 1912. Matter referred November 15, 1917, to Consular Agent, Oaxaca.

Albert J. Davis: Reported murdered by Adrian Corona September 1916. Foreign Office note October 6, 1917, reporting he was sentenced to death, but that case is being revised, and trial not concluded. (Department’s telegram July 20, 1917, expresses in this only instance in recent years of Mexican being condemned to death for murder of foreigners.)

Harry A. Heath: Imprisoned at Vera Cruz on charge homicide caused by carelessness as locomotive driver, at instance of District Court of Orizaba at Vera Cruz. Arrested January 18, 1917. Excessive bail. Was ill in prison. Apparently due to personal hostility of judge and even of high officials, Mexico City. Chargé of carelessness apparently untenable. Considerable correspondence. Foreign Office note 0001, June 28, 1917, states that Heath is released on bail.

H. H. von Ruecan (Rucan or Ruceau): Reported murdered with two servants and robbed January 27, 1917, between Zacatecas and Tepic. Foreign Office note September 5, 1917, states governor of Nayarit can find no trace of murderers.

Thomas P. Foster: Reported killed in Torreón by Villa bandits. Instructions 2064, February 2, 1917, encloses this information without instructions.

Andrew Peterson: Also Hugh Accord and Bert Jensen: Reported murdered by Mexican bandits about February 1917 on Mexican territory, having been taken on American soil. (Department’s instruction No. 3, February 20, 1917.) Matter referred to Foreign Office February 21, 1917. Apparently no action taken.

Harloe H. Hamilton: Charged with homicide. Embassy’s telegram No. 7, February 25, 1917, states Consular Agent reports he is free, but charges not dismissed by authorities. In its No. 14, February 27, 1917, Department wishes to learn why charges were not dismissed. Long correspondence. Then Embassy’s note to Foreign Office July 19, 1918, requesting action to be taken for dismissal of case.

Howard L. Elton: Letter March 8, 1917, from Tucson, Arizona, signed James M. Hamilton, asks Ambassador investigate Elton’s trial and conviction and execution by Mexican authorities, Oaxaca. A “flagrant” case. Embassy’s letter March 17, 1917, to Hamilton states matter should be taken up with Department of State direct.

Francisco Galeana: Killed by bandits after train wreck April 11, 1917, at San Miguel de Allende. Apparently naturalized United States citizen, but not registered. Note to Foreign Office July 24, 1918, gives evidence of his murder by bandits.

J. D. Pilgrim: Murdered at the Chamal Colony. (Further details from despatch 147, May 5, 1917, to Department from Consul, Tampico.)

Hiram W. Collins: Murdered May 14, 1917. Embassy made repeated representations to Foreign Office which stated matter referred to Governor of Sonora who reported December 27 that warrant issued for arrest person accused of murder, who could not be found.

Robert W. Robertson: Murdered at Colonia, Tamaulipas, May 26, 1917, by two Mexicans. (Preliminary report to Department from Consul, Tampico, May 28, 1917.)

Manuel Saldivar: American, condemned to death as Villa spy. (Department’s telegram 254, June 16, 1917.)

John Sayers: Attacked and severely wounded June 30, 1917.

G. W. Morton: Alleged assassination by Arnulfo Uzeta Lopez July 5, 1917. Foreign Office sent copies of the judicial sentence.

Beyers and Koppe: Employees Pennsylvania Mexican Fuel Company, captured by Indians July 6, 1917, southwest Tuxpan. Foreign Office note July 20 states matter of release has been referred to Governor [of] Tamaulipas. Foreign Office note July 26 states Governor [of] Vera Cruz has been notified.

E. Burker: Detained apparently without cause by Governor [of] Michoacán, in Uruapan, about October 11, 1917. Note from Foreign Office October 15, 1917, states case has been referred to competent authorities.

Lincoln Wieder: Murdered October 26, 1917, near Guerrero, San Luis Potosí, by bandits. Foreign Office note December 14, 1917, states Governor of San Luis Potosí has asked municipal president of Valles to submit report. Department’s instruction July 12, 1918, says keep matter before Foreign Office.

Lee Sharp and Clarence Sellers: Murdered about November 29, 1917, near Del Rio, Texas, in Mexico. December 29, 1917, Consul Piedras Negras reported to Department that two of murderers apprehended and others being pursued by Government troops. Foreign Office note January 10, 1918, states that of the three murderers one was shot, one has been arrested, and third is being hunted for.

Lee Rasmussen: Killed by Yaqui Indians December 6, 1917, near Esperanza, Sonora. Despatch from Consul, Guaymas, January 11, 1918, to Department.

Personal Injury Cases, 1918

American soldier killed: January 3, 1918. Case against four Mexicans, Garcia, Zambrano, Alafa and Chapa.

Ralph Snovel: Killed by Yaqui Indians who had attacked train. Despatch to Department No. 65, January 24, 1918, from Consul, Guaymas.

Richard Rushworth: Was employed by Mexican Light and Power Co. Killed February 10, 1918, at Tepeapulco by bandits. Paragraph 3 of letter from this company indicates company is willing to consider question of indemnity for Mrs. Rushworth (mother). Despatch, Consul General, Mexico, No. 382, April 17, 1918.

Edgar House: Murdered Tampico, February 21, 1918. Foreign Office note June 28, 1918, states matter brought to appropriate authorities.

Otto Land: Reported kidnapped in Tepic (Consul, Mazatlán). Department’s 972 April 13, 1918, 3 p.m., requests Embassy inform Foreign Office.

Yaqui Indians (raids by), State of Sonora: Protection to American life and property. Embassy’s despatch to Department June 25, 1918, states Foreign Office has referred matter to military chief of that district.

Murder and robbery of four Americans: Terminal of Mexican Gulf Oil Co., 3 miles from Tampico. Foreign Office note July 17, 1918, has directed appropriate authorities to arrest and punish guilty parties and furnish protection. Embassy’s telegram to Department July 20 states no results as yet.

Whiteford and Land kidnapped: Ransom. State of Nayarit. Memorandum left at Foreign Office July 10, 1918. Memorandum containing history of representations left with chief of protocol July 24 and Department informed of this memorandum by telegram, July 24, 6 p.m., 1918. Note from Foreign Office stating regrets the death of Whiteford, but cannot be responsible for this kidnapping.

William Land (age 16): Reported kidnapped near Rosa Morada, Nayarit, about July 16. Held for 2,000 pesos ransom. Note to Foreign Office July 23, 1918.

Tom Kingsbury: Foreman, Palomas Land and Cattle Co., southwest Columbus, New Mexico, reported missing about July 17, 1918. Note to Foreign Office July 25.

Malone and Rigsdale: Kidnapped. Ransom. Telegram from Consul, Piedras Negras, July 22, telegram from Department July 23. Note to Foreign Office July 22. July 26 note to Foreign Office reporting they are now safe in Del Rio, Texas. Satisfactory replies have since been received from Foreign Office.

Sturgis and family: Reported kidnapped by bandits near Pichucalco Chiapas. Department telegram 1319, July 29, instructs bring urgently to attention of Foreign Office. Done.

A. W. Stevenson: Murdered July 30, 1918, at Tepetate, Vera Cruz. Telegram 1335, August 1, from Department. Matter referred to Foreign Office.