davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1875-03-31
.Tac Acapulco Massacre

The HerGld's Acapulco CORES
pondens gives the details Of the terri
bic religious massacre in that town
on the night of January &c.
The Rev. Mr.. Hutchinson, pastor
Of the Presbyterian congregation of
the City of Mexico, was invited to
Acapulco last year by q lawyer
named Ps0capio Diaz, and others, to
organize a Lew congregation, the
nucleus of which ha already existed
nc. ry a year. Finding no suitable
substitute. Mr.. Hutchinson came
down in December and took tempo
rary charge Of the new church.
About ninety persons were found
DESTROYS Of embracing the new doc
trinc, and the old vacant Catholic
church was rented on The oath Of
January, and was opened in due
form, Mr.. Hutchinson preaching
twice that day. During the previ-
Gus month th: ITS had been thrown
out by adherents of Catholicity
against their religious opponents
The former claim to have been sys-
tematically insulted by the Protes-
tants, who had a small newspaper
organ. The Lattice energeticaily de-
ny having done anything more than
fairly discuss %sectarian dogmas.
a prayer meeting was held by
Hutchinson or the evening of the
25th, aud a similar Gathering was
agreed ON for the following evening.
This meeting was held, bat Mr..
Hutchinson, being i'll, was 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 town-open. In front o.
the door, between it and the street,
an outrageous tree grows Under
the shade IF this tree and at either
side of the door, watching the pro-
ceedings within the church, the as
Sassins. numbering some thirty-hEe
or f1rty men, took their stand
Porcapio Diaz had addressed the
congregation in place Of the absent
minister, and they were Staging a
hymn, when eight or ten of the cut
throais outside entered and, dividing
among themselves, occupied stands
near either side of the pulpit.
Without any sign of warning what
ever, these incarnate devils barred
their murderous machines aud CON
menced an indiscriminate slaughter
OF the peaceful inmates of the church.
Not entirely indiscriminate, for the
leader Of the mnrderers and one of
his men marked out Diaz as their.
special victim. A couple of machete
blows were aimed at bis head, which,
If received in full force, must have
terminated his existence. As it hap
pened, be had sufficient presence of
mind to dodge his head behind the
pulpit, and a portion of the board
vas cut through before the weapon
reached its mark. He drew q pistol
and tried to FIRE. but his assailants
were too quick for him, aud the lead
er Inflicted a ghastly cash on his
pistol hand, While this vas pass
ing the heroic wife of Diaz picked up
a chair, rushed upon one Of her hus-
bands would-be murderers, pinned
him to the wall, and by main force
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1875-03-31

The lee Gorge.

Lock HAVEN, PA, March Is
intelligence was received here this
evening, that the great ice gorge at
Glen Union, thirteen miles above
here, had commenced to move and
the West Branch of the S~usquehanna
has overfowed the surrounding
country. The greatest anxiety exist
among residents along the river bank.
and they are already preparing to re-
move their effects to a place OF secur-
ity. The Fallon House, owned by
w. j. Smith, ole Of the handsomest
and mot costly structures of the kind
in this section of the State, is threat
encd by the impending food. as it ex-
tends nearly 10 the waters edge.
The proprietors commenced to move
their property from lower stories to
the upper, this afternoon. The furi-
Gus mountain streams and the general
thaw up the rive, have increased the
volume Of water % greatly that the
Susquehanna has overhowed many
valuable farms. The loss is very
heavy. Backwater has also forced
up the currents of Fishing and other
creeks, and small bridges have been
destroyed. 1T is also currently repor-
ted that three lives have been lost,
and it Is feared that the loss Of life
may still be greater. From the in
formation that can be secured, it is
probable that the inundation will
reach this city late tonight, or to-
morrow morning. 1t is probable that
the deluge will be accelerated by the
rain storm, and that the lower part
OF the city will be Gesolated.
WILKEsBARRE, Marsh 2S.-Tbe
water has risen three feet on the
Kingston Flats since yesterday, and
communication by foot is again
cut of; bus there has been no i'm
preston made on the gcrges. At
the same rate, the water will rise
two teet more through the night.
The thaw was no. as rapid to-day
as yesterday aud tonight it is clou-
dy and threatens rain.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1875-03-31
Bank Robbery at Washington.

WASHINGTON, March 26-This
morning a band Of thieves. five in
number. made a sortie on the Peo-
pies Savings Bank in the basement
of the Second National Bank on Sew
enth street, opposite the P~ostolice
Department. The bank had just
opened for business, and the safe was
standing open facing the street.
about twelve or fifteen feet behind
the coulter. General Balloch, the
cashier, had gone TO a neighboFing
banking house to identify q party
presenting a check, leaving the col
ored messenger in charge, wien two
of the gang entered ard engaged the
latter in conversation at the counter.
Another of the gang slipped in from
the back way (supposed TO be PR
vate) and took 4 box from the safe,
with which he escaped, as did the
others who were at the counter, and
two who had been left on the outside.
They doubtless thought that tkc box
contained the assets of the bank, but
itcontsined valuable papers belonging
to General Bailocb, none Of which
will be Of any use to the thieves.
Among the papers were Eve FIRST
mortgage bonds for $1,000 each,
which, with other papels, are valued
at $500 This daring operation
was Immediately reported to the pO-
lice aut0rities.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1875-03-31
Deaih of = Noted Character

BALTIMORE, March 2G-Thc Port
Tobacco fadeFeHdenI saws: Colonel
Rich. Thomas, g~ene-a!.y called Ma
dame Se%voBa," died suddenly last
Wednesday o; the residence of his
brother. James Thomas. 10 81. Ma
rvs county, Maryland Colonel
Thomas became very conspicuous in
the early part ofthe ia,e civil war by
the capture ofthe steamer ST. Nieb0-
las. lie took passge in the steamer
at Baltimore disguised - a French
lady. and a;night, assisted by a few
If bis men on board arrested the cap
tain aud Ulcers Of the steamer and
ran her to fredericksburg. Virginia
After the war lie resided so.ae wears
in Paris, but returned to this country
about two wears ago.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1875-03-31

THE Philadelphia BuliaiH has
these words Of comfort for the De
mocracy: Andrew johnson pro-
poses to make a tout through the
Northern States, and to do some
stump speaking upontbe route. Dem
ocratic newspapers, therefore, will
find it to their advantage TO keep
standing in type the speech made by
Johnson in the Senate the other day
for that Is the one be has always
given. and will continue TO give. We
snail not Iregret it if johnson shall
again swing around the circle. lie
cannot afiict any ~peaceable citizen
who refrains from going TO hear him
and from reading that speech, but he
viii do some harm 10 the Democratic
party, which is the Ostensible propri-
etor Of this tiresome old humbug,
and in whose behalf his absurd as
saults upon President Grant are
made. The Republican party has
endured many Affections, but life is
full Of compensations, and we are
cbeered amid our sorrows with the
thought that We do not number John
son among our burdens. The act by
which be severed bis connection with
the Republicans is regarded by them
very much in the light Of a great
personal f%ayor.n
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1875-03-31
zee rle.as in Inc AnnntIc.

NEW York. March 25-S,eam-
ships which arrived here yesterday
brought reports og large quantities Of
.ee ia m~id.aecan The Holsstia.
700. Hamburg ot,n n lstitcde s.
ana taie s9 passed. ,we im-
mense iceHers> and was three hours
10 f'-cng passage through large
Fields ~ drit ice. The STEAMER Gin
0tis. from Hare, met with a similar
experience, bGt found greater Difficult
" in avoiding the distractions. On
March 18th. when in latitude A. and
longitude IS, the vessel passed q
short distance from az immense ice
berg. aud about midnight came into
an immense field Of drift ice. through
which The steamer c0nld not force a
passage. No opening appeared ana
II was found necessary 10 20 oct Of
her course and pass around the field.
The steamer A~merique. from Hav-
re, also encountered ice fields on
March 20 when in latitude 43 and
longitude 81.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1875-03-31
The Black HIS.

OMAHA, March 24-IDf0rmation
bias keen telegraphed to General Ord
Of several parties of miners leaving
different points for the Black Hills.
In reply 10 a Telegram frem "a miner,
VITO recently came ont of the hills,
whether he would be permitted to
return with reinlorcements and pro-
VS. OBS, General Ord says: troops
from Fort Laramie and b ST., In
dians have both gone for your m ner ;
For their sakes | hope the troops
will reach them first, as the military
orders are simply TO bring in the
party, conGne the leaders, burn the
wagons and destroy outfits"
General Ord has been authorized
to put all bis cavalry at once in the
Sioux couutry, on which miners are
trespassing, aud to employ fifty In
dian scouts to advise the cavalry of
the advent Of miners.
4 Back Hills transportation
Company, formed here Yesterday pro-
poses to leave the railroad ut Sidney,
Nebraska.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1875-03-31
OUR NEW YORK LETTER.
New York, March 80, 1875.

New YORK, March 80, 1875.
a GREAT HOTEL.
Very few people, even those who
live in them, have any idea of the
construction, cost, or methods Of con-
Quoting the great hotels Of the great
cities. Would it be Of any interest
to your readers TO know about these
things? think so, and shall devote
the most Of this letter to a statement
Of them. / shall take the finest ho-
tel in New York for my subject,
which is to say the finest hotel in
the United States, except four in
Chicago.
To begin with, the hotel must, to
make it what it should be, cover an
entire block, or the greater part of it.
This is necessary to get ventilation
and light. And even the four streets
are not sufficient, for in addition il
has to have a court in the centre.
Such a hotel will have from six hun
bred to one thousand rooms in it,
the number depending upon the
patronage desired. If transient Gus
tom is what is sought, the rooms are
smaller, for you can tuck a single
mar away anywhere, but if families
and permanent bosrders are wanted,
the rooms must be large and airy,
and have bath rooms, etc, connected
with them.
Steam is always used for heating
the halls and public rooms, and all
the rooms must hare CRATES in them.
a boiler that generates 200-horse
power is none too large, for in addi-
ton to the heat required, power
is necessary to run an elevator and
to do the work in the kitchen and
laundry.
The means Of communication be-
tween the rooms and the Office is the
telegraph. Wires ruR from each
room to the Office and all the guest
has to do is 70 touch s little knob
and a hall-bOy will be at his door in
two minutes to execute his orders.
Some hotels have a code of signals
Tor the most common wants, so that
the order is given By telegraph.
Thus, one short pressure means ice
water; two, fire; three chamber maid;
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1875-03-31

wrenched the machete from his
bloody hands. With this she de-
Tended herself, and FASTENED to the
aid of Diaz. Perceiving 4 favorable
opportunity, she said TO her husband.
Nov, fire. He did so, and fatally
shot the leader. Within the church
a bloody aud murderous band-to-
hand tight was waged for six or eight
minutes The machete was welded
with fearful effect, human flesh was
cut and gashed like bullock meat,
while blood streamed in torrents
over the floor, now encountered By
dying or wounded men and Women.
ten or q dozen shots were fired: a
few from the assailed, some Of whom
had reviewers.
At the commencement Of the on
sIaugbt those who were near Tie
door attempted TO escape. That was
a fatal mistake, for as The aarighted
worshipers gained the street they
were deliberately cut down By am
bushed rufians stationed on both
sides Of the door outside.
Ia this way the AMERICAN citizen.
Henry Morris, met his death. His
head Vas nearly severed from his
body by a maeheIe blow, aad 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 seriously. Of
whom several have since died.
Morris was u colored ma from
Boston. He leaves a wife aud sever
al children.
The massacre commenced about.
about $40 O'Clock and lasted six or
eight minutes. The first news which
the authorities had oft was from a
wounded man called Juan, who
maue way to the plaza and drug
store, where he was met by Major
Francisco Mejia, commander of the
Federal troops stationed about
Acapulco Mejia at once started on
a run to the scene of action. some
400 yards Of, and u few minutes
later the town police, followed soon
after By Federal troops from the
Castle, were on the ground.
More than i've minutes could not
have elapsed from the closing Of the
battle to the time when the authori-
ties reached their posts. As usual
in such cases, the police and allies
came TOT late. They got 10 TIE fatal
field only in time TO pick up the dead
and wounded, but not early enough
to arrest on the spot or follow sup
any one who could be Immediately
recognized as a participant in the
dreadful tragedy.
One of the assassiBs, who was
desperately wounded and could not
get out Of the way, was taken iuto
custody aud placed in close conline-
ment. His deposition was taken, in
OF course, it appeared that be
figured as q spectator only. 4 cou-
pie of other wounded men were APP
pretended, but as nobody appeared
duplicate them, the prosecution
may be looked upon as abandoned.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1875-03-31
Dc.truct.re Connasrn,Isn.

TIDIoUrE. March 22-We had
a destructive conaagra;ion here this
morning which Of one time threat
ened to sweep a~oy = barge part Of
tbe business house, ofthe town. and
as it was did very great damage.
The fire broke on about four o'clock
10 the dry dsods store of John IIig-
gins and when discovered had gain
ed some beadway. The fire depart
ment and citizens turned outprompt-
", but their efforts were greatly
nulliGed by the fact that the fire
plugs and water pipes were frozen
up, and it was a long time before wa
ter in any quantity could be had.
In the meantime the FIRE burned
iereeiy, and by the time a sufficient
supply Of water had been secured,
eleven buildings with the principal
part Of their contents rad been de-
stroyed.
The total loss viii be about S45.-
0G0, on which there is an insurance
Of about S25, eco.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1875-03-31
Tremendous storm iu NOrthera GeO--
gfR-ToWns Overwhelmed and Prop.
erty Destroyed.

AUGUSTA, March pa iearfully
destructive tornado passed over here
this afternoon. The city being stu
ated in a basin, was protected by
surrounding hills from the fury ofthe
storm. The rainfall, accompanied by
hail, was u~nprecedently heavy. Sew
eral towns in the interior suffered
severely in loss of life and property.
At Camack, on the Georgia Railroad,
several houses were blown down.
Thomas Geisling was killed and
several persons wounded. Near
Thomson, forty miles from Augusta.
a large amount Of property was de-
stroyed and several persons killed.
At Appalling, in Columbia county,
the destruction to property is report
ed TO be great. Several persons are
reported killed and many wounded.
At Aiken, S. c., the Catholic church
was completely demolished. All
lines north are down but one. Re
ports frem the country are confused
and unsatisfactory as to the extent of
damage and number of lives lost, but
there seems TO be no doubt that the
storm was fearfully destructive, sur
passing in extent and violence any
thing of the kind in this section for
years.
The list Of cas-; a'tios by the tornado
is as follows: John l.. Hevall, and
wife. and two daughters of John n.
Morgan, badly wounded by falling
houses; several negroes killed and
wounded at Appalling; the houses of
S. Hutchinson, Scion Reese, John
Boston and others destroyed; Mrs.
Marth Darcy and Miss Maggie Bal
ley, killed; Miss Malone and Mrs.
Grev, seriously wounded; one end of
the Court house was blown in. Al
Camack every house except one is
destroyed. Mr.. Fielding, telegi aph
operator, was badly bruised. The
tornado struck a train demolishing it
completely and killing one nan iu-
stanlly. All trains coming to Angus
ia except those of the Central Rail
road have been delayed, but no seri-
Gus damage to the railroads mas oc-
Cured. No loss Of life or damage to
property has occurred in Augusta.
James Gordon, white, and Charles
Ramsey, colored, were drowned by
the capsiziDg Of P boat in Savannah
river.
LATER PARTlCULARS-THE DEyASTA-
TON WIDESPREAD AND TERRIBLE.
AUGUSTA, March 2l-The tornado
caused fearful destruction along its
track, laying waste houses, trees and
fences, and killing persons and stock.
The Baptists were holding a meeting
at Elan Church, near Camack, when
the storm demolished it, killing three,
and wounding twenty-five persons.
Residences and out-houses were de-
molished on many plantations in
Warren, McDuHie and Columbia
counties in Georgia, The destruction
extending into Edge6eld, Akin and
Barnwell counties in South Carolina.
In some place persons were blown a
distance ofsixty yards. Every house
on Mrs. p. Z. Walton's plantation, in
Guiding the fine residence, was de-
stroyed. In Columbia county three
negroes were killed and twenty-five
persons wounded. Ten houses on
DR.. Hamilton's place were destroyed.
1t is impossible to give a correct idea
of the amount of property lost. Sew
eral hundred thousand dollars will
not cover it. Fearful suffering is al
reported in the devastated ter
being the seyerest storm ever
known in this section.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1875-03-31
Eaial Railroad Accident.

PITTSBURGH, March 29.-Cor0ner
McCaIiil yesterday held an inquest
over the body Of Il man named Sam
uel Kelly. who was run over bv q
traiu on the Pennsylvania Railroad
near the old fair grounds. Deceased
resided on Thirty-third street 10 the
Thirteenth ward, and was employed
as a driver for Frank Ardary. He
bad just attended 20 his horses in the
stable, and vas about crossing the
track on bis way home for dinner,
when be wassirack by atrain. lie was
dragged some distance, and his body
was irightlully maugled. \ verdict
Of accidental death was rendered.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1875-03-31
~StabbIn= ARRAY.

PIrTsBURGH, March GA young
man named Warren II. Joliue, an
engine "hosiler' on the Pittsburgh
L ConnellsyiIle Railroad, at West
Newton. was seriously stabbed in a
fraeas at that place, T ursday night.
The knife penetrated the lower OK
;remity Of the right lobe Of the lungs.
1t is not yet known who used the
knife, and up to last night no arrests
had been made.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1875-03-31
ARRAY Between Editors.

MEMPHIS, March ga private
letter says that on Thursday last
Louis 4. Middleton, editor Of the
West Point (Miss) Times, was shot
and killed by d. L. Love, editor OF
the West Point Citizen, FOR the pub
fishing Of an offensive article by the
former. Love demanded a retrac.
ton, which being refused, he shot
Middleton four times, and then made
his eScapa
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1875-03-31

right with n BuII.

Under date Of March 18th, a
correspondent Of the Harrisburg Tel
egraph writes:
Mr.. Israel Miller, residing near
McGaryey's bone mill, in East
Pennsboro township, Cumberland
county, on Tuesday, the 10Th, had
been To the above mill with 4 load Of
hay. Being detained on the road by
the snow, it was after dark when he
! arrived at home. After driving into
the barnyard, be hitched his team.
Upon going to the house be was ia
formed by his wife that she bad been
too unwell TO attend to the milking.
He concluded to attend to the mai
ter himself, and gathered up the
buckets and proceeded to the barn
(earelessly leaving the door ajar)-
After having MIXED several of the
cows, aud it being dark, he had not
noticed the entrance of a bull, d
of the Devon breed, and called by
Mr.. VI. the "0ld Patriarch" The
animal had taken a position beside
one of the cows 10 a stall, and Mr..
/ Miller proceeded to milk, as be sup
posed the COW, when the unusual
manipulation caused the bull to
wheel about and ~furiously attack him
in his sitting posture, forcing bis
horns through his clothing and
making its way into the barn yard,
all the while tossing bis victim up
and down in a frightful manner. and
forcing him into a snow bank. Start
ing on a run around the yard, the
Patriarch gave Mr.. Miller u loss in
the air, when the coat ftbat gentle
man became firmly fastened on the
spring pole that be had securely at
tached to the hay ladders when be
left the bone mill for home, aud be
was utterly unable to remove him
self, and was wholly at the mercy Of
the bull, which seemingly amused
itself by nudging his victim as the
pole descended, and sending him in
to the air time and again. The cries
of Mr.. Miller for help were heard by
his neighbor, Mr.. Sugars, who, upon
going to his aid, was set upon by
"old Patriarch" and in a twinkling
was seated under the front part Of
the wagon, secure from danger. The
animal then returned to his amLse-
ment of tossing Mr.. Miller into the
air by striking against the end Of
the pole. Seeing no means Of re
lease from his unpleasant position,
Mr.. Miller requested Mr.. Sugars to
try and make his escape, procure q
rife and shoot the bull. The sug-
gestion was Immediately put into
practice, and the end desired was
speedily accomplished, the bull being
brought down. When Mr.. Miller
was released from his perilous posi-
ton, he was nearly exhausted from
the elfects,,of tie goring he received in
the unequal contest. He was car
ried to the house of Mr.. Sugars, af-
ter which a physician was summoned.
On examination it was aseertained
that no bones had been broken.
With care and good nursing it is
thought that Mr.. NJ. will soon re-
cover. His hair, which was chest
nut brown in color, has turned as
white as wool, especially en- the
left side and rear portion of his head
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1875-03-31
Sirikers' Revenge on the Philadelphia
and Reading Railroad.

POTTsyILLE March 27.-Tbe lab
erers aad miners on q suike, dumped
a number Of ears loaded with coal
ready for shipment, at Locust Gap
during the night and burned the de.
pot and telegraph Office Of the Read.
ing Railroad, at The same place. A
number of special police from Phila-
delphia and Reading have been sent
to hahoney Plane to protect property
and assist in operating the road il
nacnssarv
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1875-03-31

from The country are ia, in force, aud
they are buying With considerable
freedom. The old stocks are con-
sumed, the country is bare Of gnods,
the people have worn out and eaten
up what they had 90 hand. snd they
are compelled to lay in fresh su9-
plies. Consequently the wheels are
grinding again, and the merchants
rejoice. Everybody anticipates a big
spring trade, a good summer trade,
and a very large tall trade
And ! see no reason why these
cheerful anticipations should not be
realized.
pTrTRp