Insurrectos take a town

Nº 208

AHSRE L-E-953 F. 335

The Arizona Republican, Phoenix, Arizona

28 de febrero de 1911

Insurrectos take a town

Lost five Men in Capture of Fronteras

It was to be bloodless

The Police did not understand Aqua Prieta (sic), Opposite Douglas, Will Probably Be Made the Object of Attack Next.

Douglas, feb 27 The rebels captured the town of Fronteras, the capital of the district inmediately south of the Arizona border. The rebels swarmed in from the heights to the number of 200. A small civilian force attempted to resist and fired upon the rebels, five of whom fell dead. The rebels made no attempt to seek vengeance, but quietly overpowered the force and captured the town, whereupon they were welcomed by the populace.

The order to surrender came early this morning, the hour for capitulation being set at 10 o'clock. The rebels were well equipped and mounted. As the town had not formally surrendered at the hour set, the rebels entered the streets from every direction, shooting overhead. It was stated that there was an understanding that the town was to have been captured without bloodshed.

If there was an agreement, the civilian police mistook orders. The rebels have also captured the Nacozari railroad and hold transportation facilites to Agua Prieta, just across the line from this city. Agua Prieta may be attacked tomorrow. It was following the capture of Fronteras that the passenger train, due here at 1 o'clock, arrived. It was surrounded by 150 rebels under the command of “Red” Lopez, who is well known in Douglas.

When the Americans on the train started ahead to learn about what was going on, they were told by Lopez: “Go back into the cars; there's something too interesting for you going on here.” The train is tonight still being held at Fronteras. It is a mixed train with ore and freight, and, it is reported, 100 head of cattle.

There is a possibility of an encounter before the rebels take Agua Prieta. The government has troops stationed there and orders have already been issued o them to proceed southward to attack the rebels or locate the train. If the rebels take Agua Prieta it is said they will have the same point to raise regarding belligerency as at Juarez, since it is an important port with heavy imports and exports.

General Schuyler, commanding the department of Colorado, is here tonight, but there is only one troop of the Third United States cavalry stationed at Douglas. If Agua Prieta is attacked tomorrow this must take place from the west and east to avoid shooting into Douglas, which is very close to Agua Prieta. The country is flat eastward, but there is a steep incline up to the town from the southwest from the vatley.

One of the men killed in the brief skirmish today is Pedro Lopez, brother of the commander. Another large force of rebels reported numbering from 200 to 500 appeared yesterday at Campbell's ranch, east of the junetion of the Fronteras and Bavispe rivers. They took saddles and guns, but gave American revolvers in return. It is believed that this band has crossed over from Chihuahua and it is expected it will participate in the attack on Agua Prieta. It is reported that the rebels have taken many important towns in southern Sonora.