June 16, 1924
Threepersons “Captures” Band of 16; All But One Escape as Friends Open Fire
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One man is believed to have been killed and several others injured when United States customs officers and a band of probably 25 or 30 bootleggers clashed at Monument No. 1 at the end of First street early yesterday.
Three sacks of tequila and 65 gallons of alcohol were seized by the customs officers and one Mexican, who gave his name as Gabriel Jara, was arrested and placed in the city jail.
Federal officers are of the opinion that the battle was with one of the best organized bands of bootleggers operating in this district, as the bootleggers were using high-powered rifles and a machine gun with their efforts to drive off the customs officers.
Officers “Pitch Camp”
First indications of the battle were seen about midnight Saturday when Customs Officers Threepersons and Wadsworth “pitched their camp” at the end of First street to lie in wait for a cargo of liquor scheduled to be brought across the border.
Shortly after their arrival near a large tree close to the monument, Wadsworth left Threepersons to bring their automobile closer to the scene of operations. No sooner had Wadsworth left when 16 Mexicans appeared.
Threepersons forced the men to lie down on the ground and handcuffed one of them, putting the handcuffs on the man’s right wrist and left leg.
Several minutes elapsed. Then reinforcements opened fire on Threepersons from ambush. Still covering the men lying on the ground, he returned the fire until he had but three cartridges left, he reported.
Wadsworth was unable to return to the scene on account of a cross-fire.
Shoots Man With Riffle
With only three shells, Threepersons grabbed Jara, the only man arrested, and began to retreat. A man jumped in his path and pointed a pistol at him. Threepersons told the man to throw up his hands, but the man refused and fired his pistol point-blank at the officer. Threepersons fired his 30-30 caliber rifle at the man, who dropped to the ground.
Later investigation made by officers showed that the body of a man had been dragged from the scene of battle by a horse.
Threepersons made his way to the office of the union stockyards, where he telephoned for more ammunition and additional men. Police Captain L.T. Robey and Patrolman J.G. Brewster, going to the home of Customs Officer J. B. Womack, took Womack and an additional supply of ammunition to Threepersons.
Other customs officers were called out but by this time the entire band of bootleggers had disappeared, taking their dead and wounded with them.
The gun battle lasted for over an hour and was heard in practically every part of the city, as police headquarters was besieged with calls inquiring about the shooting.
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