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Mexico Farm Town Prepares Funerals after 9 Americans Slain

Associated Press

   LA MORA - Under a strong security presence, this remote farming
   community prepared to hold the first funerals Thursday for some of the
   nine American women and children killed by drug cartel gunmen.

   Dozens of high-riding pickups and SUVS, many with U.S. license plates
   from as far away as North Dakota, bumped across dirt and rock roads
   over desert, arid grasslands and pine-covered mountains Wednesday as
   night fell on this community of about 300 people. Many of the residents
   are dual U.S. and Mexican citizens who consider themselves Mormon but
   are not affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
   Saints.

   At least 1,000 visitors were expected to bunk down in the hamlet
   overnight ahead of Thursday's funerals, filling floor space in the 30
   or so homes or sleeping in tents they brought with them. At least one
   cow was slaughtered to help feed the masses, as well as the few dozen
   Mexican soldiers guarding the entrance to La Mora.

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