Mexican Revolutionists: Why Did They Turn?

Mexican Revolutionists

Why did they Turn? By Mrs. A. B. Call

Wild rumors that Villa was coming from the south to deal vengeance to Americans was filling all with concern. The Carranza army was making preparations to defend themselves, which made us feel that some truth was in the report. The agitation grew, and natives were moving from among us to Casas Grandes for protection. The report that he had captured Mrs. Wright, killed her husband, and left her one-year-old child to the mercy of friends, made us fear. Not three months before we had known the horrors of burned homes and pillage, and the terrible night of December 26, 1915, was still fresh in our memories Many would have taken the train to leave for the north, but no train came in. One engine or train now here might go out, but not without an armed escort, and that the military officers feared to provide. People packed trunks and were ready to leave, but still no train. Wagons were loaded and prepared to go out overland, but Villa's march had progressed so far that in leaving they might come right in his path. Our men took turns as guards for the colony. If the alarm was given, some would flee to the river, others to the hills, or where not? Unarmed and unprotected as we were, there was utmost fear when we learned of the Columbus raid. A priesthood meeting was held in the morning, at the home of Brother Gaskell Romney, at which a committee was appointed to go to Colonia Juarez and consult Brother Bentlev.

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Brothers A. B. Call, John Whetton, and Harvey Taylor left per car. Evening came with only the unwelcome report that these men and car were captured by Villa's spy; also the report that Villa was at Corralitos. An American foreman came from there in the afternoon, leaving his car at 0. E. Bluth's for a good saddle horse with which to get away. Brother Bluth had the promise that a runner would notify him if Villa reached Corralitos. That runner came, also the horrid news that Villa had killed five Polanco brothers, men of families, because they worked for an American company. Oh the fear! And the husbands not at home! Men can fight and die; but as for women, who would prefer to die rather than to live disgraced — and bear the stain of vile, wicked men for life fear is utmost. And the terrified, crying children, outside each wrapped in a quilt, walking, watching and hoping for papa. Aunt Theresa and girls came, and in the dim moonlight we saw the big fires at Corralitos. We all went through the lot to Brother Bluth's. They were just getting ready to go to the station, and Lucy said she would ask Oscar to come for us when they were there. Back home we hurried, anxiously, yet not knowing if it would meet our husbands' approval if we should leave. All Americans and Mexicans had left the north end of town. Ours would be the first house approached. While we were in front of the house, to our great satisfaction, there came our husband and father. Eagerly we surrounded him to learn what we should do. "We will go to bed!" was his calm reply. Was he wrong? Oh, we must do something? — But no in that calm answer came confidence, and while we had prayed almost constantly we now knew that only God's almighty protecting power could save us. We left our home, and all together, at Aunt Theresa's, we knelt in earnest, fervent prayer. Grateful for the peaceful feeling, and to have our husbands home, we went to bed and slept. At early morn, Brother Moffett came. Some one had heard horses pass the lower end of town. In a little buggy they rode northeast. They found the Villa army trail and brought home a U. S. army pouch, quart cup, etc. It appears that the Villa band had marched up to the suburbs of the little town, — and, without any apparent cause, no one knows why, had — stopped, suddenly turned away, and marched onto the Galiana Valley. How miraculously had our Father turned them from us! How thankful we were that the scouts were not sent out that night, for that was the direction in which they went. Repentant for lack of implicit faith, this occurrence will always stimulate our faith in our Father's help and power. Colonia Dublan, Mexico