Happy! - June 5

Subject: Happy! - June 5
From: Abby Sale
Date: 05 Jun 05 - 10:34 AM


Happy Birthday!

Francisco ("Pancho") Villa

born June 5, 1877    (also June 5, 1879)
[assassinated June 20, 1923    (also July 20, 1923)]

          Fui soldado de Francisco Villa
          De aquel hombre de fama inmortal
          Que aunque estuvo sentado en la silla
          No envidiara la presidencial.
          Ahora vivo alla por la orilla
          Recordando aquel tiempo inmortal
          Ay, ay,
          Ahora vivo alla por la orilla
          Recordando a Villa alla por Parral.
  
                  "Corrido de Pancho Villa" from Anderer Länder Folksongs of various Countries, [Clicky] 
  
                  I was welded of Francisco Villa
                  Of that man of inmortal fame
                  That although it was seated in the chair
                  It did not envy the presidential one.
                  Now alive alla by the border
                  Remembering that inmortal time
                  Ay, ay,
                  Now alive alla by the border
                  Remembering to Villa alla by Parral.
  
                  "Run of Pancho Villa," Traditional 
                  (Well, translation is courtesy Alta Vista Babel Fish)

Copyright © 2005, Abby Sale - all rights reserved
What are Happy's all about? See Clicky

Subject: RE: Happy! - June 5
From: GUEST,Allen
Date: 05 Jun 05 - 12:59 PM

Not sure mum's family would agree with you. He drove great-grandmother's family from their homes twice.

Subject: RE: Happy! - June 5
From: Abby Sale
Date: 05 Jun 05 - 03:46 PM

He was a controversial sort. We can say he was pretty good for the movie business, though. Starred in 4 films.

Subject: RE: Happy! - June 5
From: GUEST,Allen
Date: 05 Jun 05 - 04:06 PM

Very conscious about his image too.

Subject: RE: Happy! - June 5
From: GUEST,Paul Burke
Date: 06 Jun 05 - 04:00 AM

Unlucky chap, I'd say. There aren't many people who got assassinated twice.

Subject: RE: Happy! - June 5
From: GUEST,M.Ted
Date: 06 Jun 05 - 12:43 PM

Villa was, after all, primarily a bandit. His real name was Doroteo Arango--one might guess that being named Dorothy could turn a man against society--at any rate, he was a rustler, murder, and the leader of a notorious band of desperadoes for many years before he became a revolutionary--so it only follows that there would be some who felt less than charitably toward him. He and Zapata captured Mexico City, and at some point(I a bit vague here) set up a new government, but were ultimately defeated by the Mexican Army under one General Obregon.

I am not sure why, but in 1915 or 1916, he raided and sacked some towns in New Mexico, prompting the US to send Gen. Pershing after him--Pershing didn't find him. After the War, General Obregon pardoned him(Villa, not Pershing), later reconsidered, and had him assasinated instead.

Anyway, he was quite notorious, and everyone knows about him, though we don't know much.

You don't want to elaborate on that story, by any chance, do you, Allen?