Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-03-31
TIE MASSACRE OF PROTEST ANTS
IN MEXICO.

The Attack Begun without NfGnnntS
Warnin2-H Heroic Defense by the Wife of
the Lay Preacher i'll Charge.
The N. Y. Herald's Acapulco cores
pendent gives details of the terrible re-
| iigious massacre in that town on the
night of January g. Rev. Mr.. Hutehin-
son, pastor of the Presbyterian congre-
CATION of the City of Mexico, was invit-
ed to Acapulco last year, by lawyer
named Procapio Diaz and others, to or
ganize a new congregation, the nucleus
of which already existed nearly year.
Finding no suitable substitute,
Hutchinson came down in De-
cember, and took temporary charge of
the new church. About 80 persons
were found DESTROYS of en- hracing the
new doctrine, and an old, vacant Catho-
lie church was rented, and on the oath
of January was opened in due form,
Hutchinson preaching twice on that
day.
During the previous month threats
had been thrown out by the adherents
of Catholicity against their religious
opponents. The former claim to have
been Systematically insulted by the
Professionals, who had small newspaper
organ. The latter theoretically deny
having done anything more than fairly
discuss sectarian dogmas.
A prayer meeting was held by Hutch
inson on the 25th, and similar gather
ing agreed on for the following evening.
This meeting was held, but Hutchinson
was i'll and unable to be present. The
Protestant church has only two doors,
both opening on the street; one was
closed, and the other-that nearer to
the lower-open. In front of the door,
between it and the street, an umbrage-
Gus tree grows. Under the shade of
this tree and at either side of the door,
watching the proceedings within the
church, the assassins, numbering some
35 or 40 men, took their stand. Proca-
pic Diaz had addressed the congrega-
ton in place of the absent minister, and
they were singing a hymn. when eight
or ten of the cut-throats outside en-
tered, and, dividing among themselves,
occupied stands near either side Of the
pulpit.
Without any sign of warming whatever,
these incarnate devils barred their muir
murderous machets and commenced an
indiscriminate slaughter of the peaceful
inmates of the church-not entirely in
discriminate, for the leader Of the muir
derers and one of his men marked out
Diaz as their special victim. A couple
of machite blows were aimed at his
head, which, if received in full force,
must have terminated his existence. AS
it happened, he had sufficient presence
of mind to dodge his head behind the
pulpit, and a portion of the board was
cut through before the weapon reached
its mark. He drew pistol and tried tc
fire, but his assailants were too quick
for him, and the leader inflicted 6
CHASTITY cash in his pistol hand. While
this was passing, the heroic wife Of
Diaz picked up chair, rushed upor
one of her husbands would-be muir
derers, pinned him to the wall, and by
main force wrenched his machete from
his bloody hands. With this she de
Tended herself, and fastened to the aiC
of Diaz. Perceiving a favorable oppor
tunity she said to her husband; Nov
fire." He did SO, and fatally
shot the leader. Within the church {
hight WIS wsrsss,-7es1 Tor SIX or e1gni
minutes. The machete was welded
with fearful effect, human flesh cut anG
gashed like bullock meat, while blood
streamed in torrents over tie floor, nov
encountered by dying OF. wounded mer
and women. Ten or dozen shots were
fired, few from the assailed, some Of
them had revolvers. At the commence
nlent OF the onslaught those who were
near the door attempted to escape.
That was fatal mistake, for, as the
affrlghted worshipers gained the street,
they were deliberately cut down on
both sides Of the door outside. In this
way the American citizen, Henry Nor
rls, met bis death. His head was near
~ severed from his body by a mechete
blow, and his chest cut open at a single
stroke. He and two other men and a
woman were killed outright, and eleven
wounded more Or less severely, of
whom several have since died. Morris
was colored man, from Boston. He
leaves wife and several children.
The massacre commenced about 10
minutes after 8 o'clock, and lasted only
six Or eight minutes.
The first news which the authorities
had OF it was from wounded man
called Juan El Negro, who made his
way to the plaza and drug store, where
he was met by Major Francisco Meiia,
commander Of a few federal troops sta
toned about Acapulco. Mejia at once
started on run to the scene of action.
some 400 yards Off, and few minutes
later the town police, followed soon
after by the federal troops from the
castle, were On the ground. More than
five minutes could not have elapsed
from the closing of the battle to the
t1mo when the authorities reached their
posts. As usual in such ca ses, the 90
lice and their allies came too late. They
got to the fatal hold only ia time to
pick up the dead and wounded, but not
early enough to arrest on the spot or
follow up any one who could be imme-
dlately recognized as a participant in
the dreadful tragedy. One of the as
sassins who was desperately wounded,
and could not get out of the way. was
taken into custody and placed in close
confinement. His deposition was taken,
IN which, of course, it appeared he fig
urGd as a spectator only. counle Of