No. 766.
Mr. Connery to Mr. Bayard.
Legation of
the United States,
Mexico
,
February 18, 1888.
(Received February 28.)
No. 305.]
Sir: I have the honor to report that I received
this day from Mr. James B. Chess a letter, dated Durango, February 13,
informing me that the life of an American citizen, named Oliver Woods, was
in danger, owing to the fact that he had been arrested on the charge of
having furnished supplies to the notorious bandit Eraclio Bernal.
I immediately addressed a note to Mr. Mariscal, copy of which is inclosed,
asking him to telegraph to the State authorities instructions for the
protection of Mr. Woods. I beg to inclose you also a translation of Mr.
Mariscal’s reply, by which you will see that he acted with the most
commendable promptness, which I hope will be the means of saving the life of
Mr. Woods.
I should also state that I telegraphed Mr. Jones, the consular agent at
Durango, to forward a report at once to the State Department.
I am, etc.,
[Page 1113]
[Inclosure 1 in No. 305.]
Mr. Connery to Mr.
Mariscal.
Legation of the United States,
Mexico
,
February 18,
1888.
Sir: I would most respectfully call your
excellency’s attention to a matter that has to-day come to my attention
through an authoritative channel.
About the 8th instant an American, named Oliver Woods, a farmer living in
Ventanas, State of Durango, was caught and carried out of the State of
Durango to the town of Cosalá, under charge of having furnished corn,
etc., to Eraclio Bernal, the bandit. I am informed that it is true that
Woods did let Bernal have corn, etc., but that he could not help
himself, as the bandits left him no other choice in the course of their
raids on his San Manuel ranch.
The almost incredible statement is made that one of the desperadoes
captured, who has turned state’s evidence, is denouncing people right
and left, and that almost as fast as these are caught they are shot.
It is feared that Woods will be shot, and I would urgently beg that your
excellency would take measures, even by telegraph, to stop his summary
execution, which is to be feared, at least until a court can pass upon
his case.
I beg, etc.,
[Inclosure 2 in No.
305.—Translation.]
Mr. Mariscal to Mr.
Connery.
Department of Foreign Affairs,
Mexico
,
February 18,
1888.
Mr. Chargé d’affaires: I have just received
your note of this date, touching the notice you give of the arrest in
Ventanas and the conduct to Cosalá of the American Oliver Woods, on the
charge of having furnished corn to the bandit Eraclio Bernal.
I at once communicated with the governors of the States of Sinaloa and
Durango, requesting, by telegraph, that in case the said Woods had been
apprehended, they should take care that he be tried under all the
guaranties granted to the accused by the constitution and the laws.
I reiterate, etc.,