Freed Captive Praises Villa

1919

EAGLE PASS, Texas — Fred G. Hugo, American ranchman, captured in the raid on Muzquiz by Villa soldiers and released a few days later, made the following statements upon his arrival here:

"I was treated like one of the party," he said, "and became really favorably impressed with Villa." Hugo regards his experience lightly. He said he was asleep at the time, of his capture, and when he awoke he found himself looking into the barrel of a gun. One of the ranch hands had been compelled to show the bandits to his room.

Hugo was somewhat reticent, explaining he was released upon promise that he would not tell where he was taken or under what conditions he had been liberated.

Speaking of Villa, Hugo said:

"He is about 42 years old, 6 feet 1 inch tall, is in excellent physical condition, and does not drink, or use tobacco.

Civil Government Villa's Hope.

"During a talk he told me he did not believe in a military government. His hope is to establish a civil government in Mexico. He is a man you cannot help admiring. When he talks to you he looks you in the eye and leaves no doubt in your mind that he means business. He impressed me as being of a firm character.

"While he has almost no education, he is a man of good common sense. He carries on operations of his army in a thoro, systematic manner and keeps his men under strict discipline. He keeps check on all property in a special book he has prepared for the purpose, and sees that each man gets a square deal.

"He shares the lot of his men. They all eat the same food and the army is run on a sort of fifty-fifty basis."

—The Saturday Blade, Chicago, Jan. 3, 1920, p. 7.