From Merida to Monterrey, Americans ruined by April 1914 U.S. invasion of Veracruz

Up until the U.S. Invasion of Veracruz, American ranchers, farmers, miners and merchants were affected by the Mexican Revolution in much the same way as Mexicans of similar station: expropriations, inflation, and payment in rebel currencies, all worthless outside of Mexico. The situation changed for the worse when the blue jackets landed in Veracruz.

While the assets of Texas oil interests and the major investors such as J.P. Morgan Jr. and John Stillman were protected, the result of the U.S. intervention for the typical American settler in Mexico was utter ruin. From Sonora to Jalisco, from Monterrey to Merida, Americans suffered the wrath of enraged Mexicans.

“The American invasion at Veracruz electrified Mexico and unleashed a public fury against the U.S. citizens residing there. When the American navy attacked the port city of 21 April, all hell broke in Cuichapa. [Edward E.] Dunbar described “disturbances .. hazardous to our personal security.” Their Mexican neighbors broke into their home and seized their cash, furniture, clothing, and kitchen utensils. —Empire and Revolution: The Americans in Mexico since the Civil War

Americans from Guanajuato had a harrowing night evacuation by train to Mexico city, only to find that a riotous crowed had attacked the U.S. embassy.

“On 25 April 1914 the wave of anti-American outrage reached the Blaylock Colony in Tamaulipas, the San Dieguito colony in San Luis Potosi, and the Loma Bonita colony in Oaxaca. Mexican troops entered Loma Bonita, [..] and placed sixty-three American residents under arrest while hunting for thirty-seven others. After threatening “the men of the colony with death”, the troops forced them onto railroad boxcars and deported them in the company of British representatives. —Empire and Revolution: The Americans in Mexico since the Civil War

Not withstanding his Swedish birth, Ivor Thord-Gray, then a Cavalry officer with the Constitutionalist forces, was counted as a Gringo by many Mexicans.

“When returning to camp late a night [..] it was necessary for me to ride through the infantry lines, but as the place seemed littered with boxes and other stuff, I dismounted to walk the remainder of the way. No sooner was I on foot when a number of infantry officers closed in on me in an obviously hostile attitude. When I stepped back to see what it was all about, a rope was dropped over my head from behind, and I was tied hand and foot with a lasso.” —Gringo Rebel