The second battle of Agua Prieta, Mexico during the Mexican Revolution took place at the border with Douglas, Arizona in the autumn of 1915. Villa was defeated by Mexican federal troops and his power faded.
Trying to bring back his glory days, he attacked Columbus, New Mexico in 1917. This effort was a result of him feeling betrayed by the United States and his desire for resupplying his followers with weapons and ammunition found at the Army fort there. He wound up being chased by General John J. Pershing and never regained his role as a revolutionary leader.
But the legend of Pancho Villa continued in corridos and Mexican popular lore. There were also paranormal tales!
Pancho Villa was assassinated in 1923 at the age of 45. He was buried in the municipal cemetery in the town of Parral, in Chihuahua, Mexico
On February 6, 1926, his coffin was uncovered and his head removed. This desecration led to a tale in Douglas, Arizona. The tale revolves around the circumstances after Villa's head was removed. According to the Arizona tale, Pancho Villa had a map tattooed on his head of a buried treasure. At about the time of his cranial removal, the Gadsen hotel in Douglas, Arizona had burned to the ground. It is reported that his loyal followers carried his head to the site of the burnt hotel and buried it in the ashes.
Supposedly the 1929 rebuilt Gadsen Hotel foundation is sitting atop Pancho Villas head. Through the years, hotel workers and guests have reported ghostly sightings of the headless spirit. A number of people have seen a tall, headless ghost roaming the basement and halls of the historical Gadsden Hotel in downtown Douglas.
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