PERSUASION BY HANGING

Hokitika Guardian, 30 July 1926, Page 4

PERSUASION BY HANGING

NEW YORK, June 11. Two mining engineers, liamed Gallagher and Braden, arrived to-day at San Antonio, Texas, after a series of adventures with Mexican bandits. They were engaged in inspecting the bottom of an abandoned shaft near Duseubrklora Durango when a messenger came down to them and said that General Juan Galindo, a notorious ban dit chieftain, desired to speak to them. ‘ ‘ We followed the messenger up to daylight,” Gallagher narrates,« “and found Galindo and four of liis men.

“ ‘ I want you both to come as my guests to inspect some of my land not far away.’ said the bandit chieftain politely. I looked at Braden and he looked at me. The odds were five to two. and each of the live was fondling a. rifle and eyeing us intently. ‘ Sure, we would be glad to come. General,-’ I replied. “YOU WRITE HOME ABOUT IT.” Tho little hand rode to the mountains and came to an old Spanish hacienda, which had evidently been, deserted for several years until Galindo occupied it ns his headquarters. “After being Hold as prisoners for several days,’ Gallagher continued, “the general visited us and said suavqjv.. ‘ I’m asking 12,000 pesos (£1,200), for your lives.’ ‘We are not worth that much,’ I told him and ’we both tried to- laugh it off. * But, your families probably think you are,’ laughed Galindo, adding, 1 You both now write to your families telling them you are my guests and will remain so until I receive that sum of money.’ <* We both protested. At length I said, “ All right, I'll write.” I’m damned if I will,” said Braden. Galindo called the guard. ‘This gentlemen,’ lie said, ‘ does not like oui hospitality ; he wants to go for a. long trip instead.’ “Bandits got aronc add tied Braden securely about the body, Ids hands behind him, and then Slipped the rbpe round his neck, hangman fashion. ‘ Anything to say, my friend? ’ queried Galindo. ‘ No,’ retorted Braden, ‘Y T ou havn’t got the guts to kill us; you know the 'whole American army Mould he oh your heels as soon as it was known.’ ‘ Haven’t T? ’ said Galindo smiling. ‘ Well, my friend, in this business one learns that a life more or less means little.’ STRANGLING.

“ He then gave the order to swing Braden to a. tree. His face grew’ purple. He was strangling. ‘ How about it now?’ asked Galindo. ‘Will you write the- little letter I so graciously asked for? Surely you won’t let your host outdo you in courtesy?’ Galindo ordered Braden to be cut down, and Braden then wrote the note. “ Five days later Federal troops suddenly attacked the hacienda, and a battle began. Galindo and Corral, his

aide, stood behind us in the centre of the hand. Both fired their revolvers. Corral fell dead within three feet of me. Two other men were killed and several wounded. Galindo was bleeding from his wounds, when ho turned to us and said. ‘ Good-bye, friends, v.b shall meet again, I hope.’ He and another man sprang into their saddles and made, their escape. Tho rest were captured.” ______