Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1875-03-26
The Acapulco (MexicO) Massacre.

NEW YORK, March 1s.
The HeraldS Acapulco correspond
ent gives details of the terrible
massacre in that town on the night
of Jan. 8. Rev. Mr.. Hutchinson,
pastor of the Presbyterian congregation
of the City of Mexico, was invited to
Acapulco last year by lawyer named
Procapio Diaz and others, to organize a
new congregation, the nucleus of which
already existed nearly n year. Finding
no suitable substitute, Hutchinson came
down in December, and took temporary
charge of tie new church. About ninety
persons were found desirous of embrac-
ing the new doctrine, and an old vacant
Catholic church was rented, and ON the
Gath of January was opened in due form,
Hutchinson preaching twice that day.
During the previous month threats had
been thrown out by the adherents of
Catholicity against their religious op-
ponents. The former claim to have been
| systematically insulted by the Protest
ants, who had a small newspaper organ.
The latter energetically deny having
| done anything more than fairly discuss
sectarian dogmas.
A prayer-meeting was held by Hutch
| inson on the evening of the 25th, and a
! similar gathering agreed on for the fol-
| lowing 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 open. In front
of the latter, and between it and the
| street, an outrageous tree grows. I'm
der the shade of this tree and at either
side of the door, watching the pro.
ceedings within the church, the as
| sassins, numbering some thirty-fve or
| forty men, took their stand. Procapio
Diaz had addressed the congregation in
place of the absent minister, and they
were singing hymn when eight or ten
of the cut-throats outside entered, and,
dividing among themselves, occupied
stands near either side of the pulpit.
Without any sign of warning whatever
these incarnate devils barred their mur-
derous matchetes 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 his men marked out
Diaz as their special victim. A couple
OF machete blows were aimed at his
head, which, if received in full force
must have terminated his existence. As
il happened he had sufficient presence
of mind to dodge his head behind the
pulpit, and portion of the board was
cut through before the weapon reached
It's mark. lie drew II pistol and tried to
hre, but his assailants were too quick
for him, and the leader inflicted ghast-
ly cash in his pistol hand While this was
passing, the heroic wife of Diaz picked
up chair, rushed upon one of her hus-
blnds would-be murderers, pinned
him to the wall and by main force
wrenched his machete from his bloody
hands. With this she defended herself
and hastened TO the aid of Diaz. Per-
ceiying favorable opportunity she said
to her husband "Now fire" He did
so and fatally shot the leader. Within
the church a bloody and murderous
hand-to. hand fight was waged for six or
eight minutes. The machete was WELD
ed with fearful effect, human flesh cut
and gashed like bullock meat, while
blood 'Streamed in torrents over the floor,
now encumbered by diving or wounded
men and women Ten or n dozen shots
were fired, a few from the assailed, some
OF whom hadrevolvers. Atthe commence |
ment of the onslaught those who were
near the door attempted to escape. That |
was fatal mistake, for, as the aflrighted |
worshipers gained the street, they were |
deliberately cut down by ambushed ruf. |
fans stationed on both sides of the door
outside. In this way the American citi
zen, Henry Morris, met his death. His
head was nearly severed from his body
by machete blow and his chest cut open
at single stroke. He and two other
men and woman were killed outright
and eleven wounded more or less severe.
~, OF whom several have since died.
Morris was a colored man, from Boston.
lie leaves wife and several children.
The massacre commenced about ten
minutes after eight o'clock and lasted
only six or eight minutes.
The first news which the authorities
had OF IL was from wounded man,
called Juan El Negro, who made his way
TO the plaza and drug store, where he
was met by Maj. Francisco Mejia, com
nander OF few Federal troops stationed !