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Exodus-Men

GRIM-FACED MEN in a sad, silent procession of thirty-seven wagons and other vehicles, which had carried women, children and the aged to the train at Pearson, returned in the evening to homes empty and desolate. Each one drove somberly into his own yard, cared for his team, and entered his home. But each one rather than endure the loneliness of empty homes soon sought the company of others in which to pass lonely hours until time to sleep. They congregated at Brig Whipple's confectionery store and there the idea of a special treat began to blossom. There were eggs, ice and freezers in the shop, there were cows that could be milked to furnish good jersey milk and cream and there were willing hands. Soon the ice cream was being ladled out to go with watermelons brought in by George Haws and Ernest Hatch. Gaiety and banter pushed the first night's anxiety into the background and eased the pangs of loneliness momentarily. Fresh courage to face the vigil of long or short duration was born.

Walking about the streets next day, peering into homes and strolling through stores and business houses whose outward appearance was unchanged, nostalgia came on again. Homes looked as if family members had but gone to the neighbors, stores as if clerks just had gone home to dinner, corrals and stockyards as if animals to fill them were in the pasture. Realizing that the inmates were far removed the men busied themselves taking care of loose articles, hiding movable stuff from rebels, who in detached bands passed in and out of town, and doing all possible to help Captain Castillo and his guard of ten in their valiant protective service. Much valuable property was saved and many homes were kept from being looted. At first even the store was kept from the looters and when Captain Castillo finally found himself outnumbered, he kept a semblance of control and avoided a riot by going behind the counters and personally handing over what greed demanded and with diplomacy ejected the intruders with minimum demands supplied. To rebels who came from Pearson with orders from their captain to take horses, saddles, and merchandise, he insisted that he had been authorized by General Salazar to keep order and that attempts to override him or his orders would end in more executions. This had its effect and for several days the town was quiet.

With nothing to do but to keep a vigilant eye for surprise stragglers, it was easy for the men of the town to gather at every opportunity and discuss again the threadbare problem of how long this state of affairs would last, how soon would it be safe to call women and children home again. With so little apparent danger many felt the time was already right for their immediate return. Before sentiment could crystallize, however, discouraging word came from Dublan. The guards there instead of giving protection were disposed to help the looters and were sharing in the loot. Homes of Alexander Jameson and Ammon Tenney had been forcibly entered and the men poked in the ribs or threatened with death for objecting. Farm animals were being driven off, stores being looted, and insolent treatment inflicted. The town leaders were on their way to confer with President Romney in Colonia Juarez, fully determined they could endure no more and rather than suffer longer at the hands of insolent rebels they would resist abuses by strength of arms. They awaited only the sanction of President Romney to do so. When they arrived, a meeting was held and it was decided that as long as life was not in certain danger abandonment of homes should not be considered. The men returned feeling better though Dublan conditions remained the same. Salazar was still in control at Casas Grandes; other rebels were in power at Pearson. The rebels held Americans responsible for defeat by the Federals. Resentment was expressed in contemptuous gestures which grew more menacing each day and gave the colonists less hope as time passed that peace could ever come. And the looting continued in Dublan.