“One Kind-Faced Man” he was Maximo Castillo

Luz Corral de Villa, the wife of the renowned revolutionary leader Francisco "Pancho" Villa, gave an exclusive interview with Norman M. Walker. Published on May 27, 1914, in The Wichita Beacon newspaper, the interview shared a poignant tale of her husband's early victories and her daring escape from danger amidst childbirth and conflict.

 Luz recalled the fateful day her baby was born and perished amidst the deafening roar of cannons. Concerned for her safety, Pancho Villa insisted she leave San Andres and flee the country immediately. He feared the Federal forces would discover her connection to the Rebel Leader and subject her to the same torment inflicted upon many Mexican women.

 Unfortunately, using the Chihuahua City railroad was not an option for her. Instead, she embarked on a perilous journey on horseback, accompanied by three loyal friends. Their strategy was simple but effective: travel at night and rest during the day, all to avoid capture by the Federal garrison in Western Chihuahua.

 Luz shared, "It was a grueling ride, especially given my condition, but Mexican women are resilient, accustomed to enduring hardship. My husband's orders were clear; I had to make my way to the border, to El Paso, and I had to obey."

 As they approached the border, their journey took an unexpected turn when a group of men intercepted them. These men inquired about their guide and purpose, but one kind-hearted man with a grey beard and a high hat displayed remarkable kindness. He asked Luz for her name and immediately arranged an escort for their safety as the threat of Federal forces loomed. He even provided them with food and warm blankets.

Luz revealed, "He was Máximo Castillo, a man who would later be branded as a bandit and accused of burning the Cumbre tunnel with a trainload of people, according to your country's soldiers. But I find it hard to believe that a man with such a gentle face and warm eyes could commit such a heinous act. I informed my husband of his kindness to me, and he promised to repay him someday. Perhaps that's why Máximo was allowed to escape to the American side, where he was captured by American soldiers, rather than being executed by the Rebel forces. Who knows?"

Additional historical context sheds light on the complex relationship between Pancho Villa and Máximo Castillo. In December 1913, Villa assumed the role of governor of Chihuahua, distancing himself from Castillo due to their differing views on agrarian reforms. Villa later attacked Castillo's men in Casas Grandes, but despite their disputes, Castillo saved Luz Corral y Villa's life. By February 1914, Villa's forces defeated Castillo, forcing him to seek refuge across the U.S.-Mexican border in El Paso. Tragically, Castillo was arrested on February 17 and accused of the Cumbre Tunnel tragedy.

Remarkably, despite Villa's conflicts with Castillo, Luz Corral de Villa remained one of the prominent voices who refused to believe that Castillo was responsible for the Cumbre Tunnel tragedy. Her unwavering belief in the kind-hearted man who had once come to her aid remained steadfast amidst the chaos of the Mexican Revolution.