The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-03-21
HUTCHINSON CHURCH DESCRIBED
The Assassins Congregated-Murderous
Assault on the Missionaries.
Names Of the Killed and ANOunded-The
Scene Of Slaughter
The Surviving Professionals Dcpor,ed to the
United States.
ACAPULCO. Mexico. Feb. 20. 1875.

ACAPULCo. Mexico, Feb 90 1875.
The readers OF the HERALD have doubtless been
already informed OF the principal facts connected
with the religious massacre which, on the night of
the 2eth ut.. disgraced this generally pacific town
and sent a thrill OF horror through the whole Re.
public. IL now becomes my duty to place before
tho American people an impartial statement Of
the whole case so that they may be able to form
their own unbiased opinion Of this most dcplora.
BILE event.
THE STRUGGLE AT ACAPULCO
This well known port, the late scene Of another
st. Bartholomew Night is situated on the beau
tiful and nearly land-ocked bay which bears its
name. The town OF Acapulco Itself is built close
to the waters edge at the foot OF chain Of high
hills OF volcanic origin, rising back in toward the
country on the east and north. These hills, Which
almost deserve to be classed as mountains are
generally clothed with verdure and covered by
patches of light woodland, giving them pleas.
Ing, picturesque appearance. The place contains
q population OF about 5, 200, Is extremely hot-as
many OF our California fellow citizens and others
who have visited IL can testiy-and to mend mat.
tiers. occasionally suffers from earthquakes. The
Old fortress OF San Diego Castle built by the Span
tards, but now OF little value as a defensive work
Is situated OIL an eminence at about half q
mile 20 the east of the plaza and on the
Atreet leading from the public square 10 the
lOrtToSS Calleu IerCSra Halle ue san Diego. AT the
outskirts OF the houses and just above the sea
Is situated the ole, recently uaoccupled church OF
san Jose, where the religious murders, OF which |
am about to speak, took place The parish church.
situated In the plaza, and which until within
three months ago bore sad evidence or abandon
ment and neglect Is the only other place OF WOr.
snip In the town. Ii has received new coat OF
whitewash and undergone q series or minor re.
pairs that augured o revival OF religious zeal on
the part OF priest ana parishlcners. These re.
pairs were made soon after the arrival Of a Cath
Ole missionary, who reached Acapulco some tina
In last November.
TIE CHURCH OF SAN JOSE
ITSELF lately leased by the Protestant congrega-
tlOn, OF which the Rev. Mr.. NJ. N. Hutchinson was
pastor, had also been whitewashed and Otherwise
put IN order by the new converts to Cavinism,
who appeared anxious to initiate the notaJ lie ex-
ample set on the side OF Rome. 1t Is Il pity that
least whltewash Unborn sectaran prejudlces as
Easily as they transferred new coat oi unstained
nue. upon the walls OF their respective temples
REV. MR.. HUTCHINSON
was the pastor OF tae Presbyterian congregation
considerable period ne had exercs ed his minis.
tcrial functions without let or hindrauce OF any
r s ace rs by Of
organize new congregation, nucleus
nearly year back. Hutchinson, finding
no one suitable to sehd as substitute, deter.
mined TO come down himself (which he did In last
December) and take temporary charge OF the new
church. lie is believed 10 have found alt on ether,
between men, women and ca,ldren, Some eighty
or ninety sous who were desrouS OF embracing
the Lev doctrine. portion OF these he addressed
on several occasions at praJ CIR me etngs in tic
house Of Dlaz and one or two others. The old
vacans CattOic Church was rented at the reason
able figure Of siI month. and p;eparations
put up, chairs and benches ranged IN ORDER, and
. small organ purchaser and set in lis allotted
nln cntlo 1,nf
Hutchnsons arrlva. on The 18TH OF December and
that OF the massacre on the 26th OF January, omi.
been thrown out by the &dherents OF Catnoucity
as to What was Soon about TO happen to their reig
o. not that violence would be resortcd to, docs not
appear; neither Is IL clear If the respective
pastors participated IN tne eenuncations OF eacn
both sccts. The Catholics allege that they were
systematically nsuited by the Protestants, VINO,
however, had q small organ in the shape Of o local
sheet published by somebody on their SIDE OF the
question. The Professionals energeticay deny
having done nythlug more thdn enter into a fair
discussion OF scctarian doImas On the Gath OF
January the new church was otencd in form,
Service was had In 1t twice That day, and Hutch
ins0n preached both times. II Is admitted tnat
pretty fair audiences, composed OF converts and
spectators, greeted the new Protestant divine.
Monday evening, January the 25tn, prayer meet
Ing, at which Hutchinson was present, TOOK place,
day evening On Tuegda, during the day HGtcnin.
son felt unwell rom the effects OF medicine, and
luckily for himself. was unable to attend the meet.
Ing planned ior That night. Had he been preseot
another victim to the fury OF fanaticism would
have swellcd tic number Of those wno met tseir
late on that terrible niyht.
THE AssAssiNS CONGREGATED.
the Protestant church mas only two doors, both
other that nearer 10 the town, open. In front
or the door, between 1t and the street, an um.
this tree, and at either side OF tic door, watching
tie proceedings within the church, that the assas
sins, numbering some thity-hve or forty men, took
their stand. Procopio Diaz was engaged IN the
service. lie had addressed the congregation Ill
place Of their absent minister. and they we're
tnr0ats outside entered, and, dlvicing anong
themselves, occupied stands near either SIDE oI
She pulpit. without any sign OF warning what.
ever these incarpate devils barred their
hURDEROUs MACHETEs,
and commenced an lndiscfiminste slaughter OF
tue peaceful inmates OF t1e church-not entirely
iudiscIimpate, Tor the leader OF the murdercrs
one OF his men marked out Daz as their
special victim, couple OF macneie blows we're
aimed at his mead, which II received In their full
force must nave terminated his existence at
once AS It happened, he had sufficient presence
ui mind to dodge his mead behind the pulplt ana
portion OF the board was cut tin oush before inc
weapon reached It's marx. lie drew pistol aud
tried to fire, but the assailants were TOO quick Tor
him, and the leader inflicted ghastly cash on his
While this was passing The heroic vile Of DiaA
bands woald.0e murdercrs, pinned hun TO the
wall. and, by main force. wrencncd the maobete
herself ike heroine and FASTENED TO the aid OF
Diaz. Perceivng a favorable opportunity she said
~ ner nusoand, NOW IRE !" he ala 10, ana
fatally shot the leader through the mouth and
side OF the lace. Within the church bloody and
nurderous hand to hand hight was waged for tho
space OF SIX or eight minutes. The deadly machete
was welded VITA fearful effect, human flesh cut
snd gashed like bullock meat, whilo blood
s'reamed In torrents over the CORY door, now
eacumoered BY dying OK wounded men and
NoulcE.
TUE DISCHARGE OF FIREARMS
Ief or dozen shot5 were fred, a lew from tho
hSsalled some OF wnom bad rcvolvers with them.
AT me commencement Of the onslaught those " no
were lear the door attempted to escape. This
was a latal mis- axe, for as the anrignted wor-
thitpcis gained the street they wero deliberately
cut dodn hy the ambushed ruiIians stationed on
Dotn II les OF TIC door outside.
HENRY MORRIS.
In this way the American citizen Henry Morris
met ms death. His head was nearly severed from
rue DonJ by lnachetc blow and his chest was cut
open al single sti okp. deem into the riba IIa