The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1875-03-22
Religious massacre at Acapulco.


Acapulco correspondent gives the details
Of terrible religious massacreip that
town on the night Of January 10th. Rev.
Mr., Hutchinson, pastor Of the Presbyte-
rian congregation in the City Of Mexico,
was invited to Acapulco last year BY
lawyer named Procopio Dia1 and Others
to organize new congregation, the nu'
cleus Of which had already existed near
ly a year. Finding no suitable substitute,
Mr.. Hutchinson came down in December
and took temporary charge Of the new
church, About ninety persons were found
desirous Of embracing the new doctrine,
and an old vacant Catholic church was
rented, and on the Gath Of January was
opened In due form, Mr., HutchinSon
preaching twice that day, During the
previous month threats had been thrown
out by the adherepts Of Catholieity
against their religious opponents. The
former claim to have been systematically
insulted by the Protestants, who had .
small newspaper organ, The latter en-
ergetically deny doing anything more
than fairly discuss sectaFian dogmas,
A prayer meeting was held by Rev.
Hutchinson on the evening Of the 2blh,
and o similar gathering agreed on for the
following evening, This meeting was
held, but Rev. Hutchinson being III, was
not present. The Protestant church has
only two doors, both opening on the
street, one was closed and other, that was
nearer to town, was open. In from. Of
the door between II and the street an
outrageous tree grows, under the shade
Of this tree and at either side Of the door
the assasSins, numbering some thlrty-fye
or forty men, took their stand. PFocOpia
Diaa had addressed the congregation In
place OF the absent minister and they
were singing hymn when eight or ten
OF the eutthroats outside entered, and
dividing among themselves occupied
stands near either side Of the pulpit,
Without any sign Of warning. whatever
these incurnate devils barred their MUIR
derouS machetes and commenced an In
discriminate slaughter Of the peaceful
inmates Of the church, not entirely In
discriminate, for the leader Of the MUIR
derers and one Of bis men mar ked out
Diaz as their special victim. A
couple OF maohetes blows were
aimed at his head, which Il received
in full force must have Terminated his
existence. As 1t happened he had Suf-
ticient presence Of mind to dodge his head
behind the pulpit and q portion Of the
board was cut through before the weapon
reached It's mark. He drew a pistol and
attempted to fire but his aSsailants we're
too quick for him, and the leader inaict-
ed u ghastly cash on the pistol hand.
While this was passing the heroic vile
Of DiaS picked up chair and rushed
upon one Of her husbands wOuld.be muir
derers, pinned him TO the wall and by
main force wrenched the machete from
his bloody hands with which she defend-
cd herself and hastened to the aid Of Diaz.
Perceiving favorable opportunity she
said to her husband, "now fire" he did so
and fatally shot the leader within the
church. A bloody hand.to.hand conflict
was waged for five or six minutes. The
machete was welded with fearful
effect, human flesh cut and gashed
like bullock meat, while blood
streamed in torrents over the floor, now
encumbered by dying or wounded men
and women. Ten or q dozen were fired
upon from the assailed, some Of whom had
reyolycrs at the commencement Of the on
slaught, Those who were near the door
attein pied to escape. This was u fatal mis-
take, for as the afTrighted worshippers
gained the street they were deliberately
cut down by ambushed rutiians stationed
on both sides Of the door out side. In
this way tho American citizen, Henry
Morris, met his death. His head was
nearly severed from his body by q machete
blow aud bis chest cut open at single
stoke. He and two other mon and d
woman were killed outright and eleven
wounded more or leRs severely, Of whom
seyerel have since died. Morris was a
colored man from Boston. lie leaves q
wife and several children.
The massacre commenced about ten
minutes after s o'clock and listed six or
eight minutes. The first news which the
authorities had Of II was froom wound
ed man called Juan Fl Nero, who while
on Ills way to Plaza and n drug store there
was met by Major Francisco Mejia, com.
lnander Of q few Federal troops stationed
about Acapulco. Mejla at once started
on run to the scene Of action some 400
yards of, and few minutes later the
town police, followed soon after by the
Federal troops from the castle, were on
tho ground. More than Eve minutes
could not have elapsed from tile clos.
ing Of the battle to the time when the
authorities reached their posts. AS usual
In such cases the police and their allies
came too late. They got 10 the fatal field
only In time to pick up the dead and
wounded, but not early enough to arrest
upon the spot or follow up any one who
could be Immediately recognized as par.
Elephants In Tie dreadful tragedy. One Of
the asSaSsins, who was desperately wound-
ed and could not get out Of the way, was
taken into custody and placed In close
confinement. His deposition has been
taken, In which Of course II appeared he
figured as a spectator only. A couple Of
other wounded men were apprehended,
but as nobody has appeared 10 lnhpllcate
them tho prosecution may be looked upon
n. 4