Pueblo Nuevo
19 November, 1930.

MEMO FOR AREA COMMANDER:
 
The following account of an interview with Miguel Angel Ortez may be of interest: It was given me today by one Juan Midence who came to my office, or rather, I sent for him, having heard that he had had some conversation with Ortez. Midence is a butcher and kills a beef about twice a week to sell here in town [Pueblo Nuevo]. He told this story:
 
Last Wednesday afternoon he went to a place on the mountain between Jicarito and Limay to buy a beef. He arrived at the house of one Acevedo just as it was getting dusk. First thing he knew he was surrounded by a group and they were on the point of treating him rough when one said, "take him before the general." He was taken to the house and within was Miguel Angel Ortez himself. On the way, however, they relieved him of all his cigarettes and five dollars. Ortez asked him who he was; if any relation to Esteban Midence, deputy elect; and if he had taken part in the election. He seemed satisfied on hearing that the prisoner was a nephew of Esteban, and that the election was quiet and orderly. He asked about the Guardia in Pueblo [Nuevo], how many, if active, well armed, etc., all of which (according to Midence) being answered in the affirmative. Ortez then told him that he would have supper with him and stay the night. There was nothing for him to do but agree and he stayed the night. The second in command came in, who was addressed as Colonel, and Ortez told him to make the usual dispositions for the night.
 
Midence was riding a horse that was taken by the bandits several months ago, recaptured by Lt. Castillo near San Lucas, and returned to him by the guardia in Somoto. He said that Ortez saw the horse and asked him if it was not one once used by him. After supper Ortez took some papers from his pocket and looked through them remarking that they were reports from Gen. Salgado, Gen. Jose Leon Diaz, Col. Hernandez [Fulgencio Hernandez Baez, or Inez Hernandez] and Col. Santos Benavides [Santos Lopez].
 
Ortez then discoursed at some length on the situation. Said the outlook was very good and that they would soon have the Yankees out of Nicaragua. Said that all the country would soon be in arms and they would have Moncada out of the Presidency. Said that Sandino was now on a trip to Mexico getting together the elements for war and would soon return. That he would bring some fifty machine guns, five thousand rifles, and twenty cannons. Said the Mexican Government was giving them $5,000 a month and that they were getting funds from other sources not mentioned.
 
Ortez flourished his pistol in front of Midence (Midence said it was just like mine) and said that he took it from a Yankee in some battle, the name of which Midence could not remember. He said that Ortez was dressed in puttees, black trousers, khaki shirt and broad brimmed hat rolled at the sides. Said he was perfumed and powdered and rather well groomed.
 
After a time he took off his pistol and laid it on the table and went to sleep on a bench. About six o'clock in the morning they moved out forcing the owner of the house Acevedo, to furnish Ortez with a horse, and to act as a guide. Didn't say which way they were going but he thought they went towards Colorado. There were forty men, a boy about 13 years old, and Ortez. Said the boy carried a revolver and a cutacha. All the men were armed with rifles of various kinds. He didn't notice any machine guns. Said the Colonel took the lead with about ten men and Ortez followed with the rest, riding about the center of the column. All but Ortez were afoot.
 
He also asked about Marcial Lopez, owner of Hacienda Labyrintos. Said Lopez was a good friend of his father and grandfather, but that he had offended him personally and if he ever got his hands on him he would kill him.

/s/ W. L. Bales

M30.11.19. RG127/209/2