River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1875-04-02
Religious Rigoiry Run Mad.

respondent gives the details of the
terrible rel gious massacre in that town
on the night of Jan. 9th. The Rev. Mr..
Hutchinson, pastor Of the Presbyterian
congregation of the City Of Mexico, was
invited to Acapulco last year by lawyer
named Procapio Daz and others to organ
ize new congregation, the nucleus Of
which had already existed neaEly year.
Finding no suitable substitute, Hutchn-
son came down in December and took
temporary charge Of the new church.
About ninety persons were found DESTROYS
Of embracing the new doctrine, and an old
vacant Catholic Church was rented. On
the oath Of December the church was
opened in due form, Hutchinson preach
ing twice that day. During the previous
month
THREATS had BEEN THROWN OUT
by adherentS ofCatholicity against its re-
ligious opponents. The former claim to
have been systematically iasulted by the
Protestants, who had small newspaper
organ. The latter energeticaily deny
having done anything more than fairly
discuss sectaran dogmas. A prayer.
meeting was held by Hutchinson on lhe
evening of 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 dSoTs,
both opening on the street. One was
closed, and the other--that nearer to the
town-open. In front Of the door, be.
tween il and the street. ali outrageous
tree grows. Under the shade of this
tree, and at either side Of the door,
watching the proceedings within the
church,
TUE ASsAssINs,
number ny some thirty-five or forty men,
took tAer stand. Procopio Diaz had ad.
dressed the congregation in the place OF
the absent minister. and they were sing
ing hymn when eight or ten Of the cut.
threats 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 murderous nachetes
maichatas, broadswords land commenced
an indlscriminate slaughter Of the peace.
ful inmates Of the church,-nOt entirely
inaiscriminate, 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 it happened,
he had sufficient presence of mind to
dodge his head behind the pulpit, and a
portion Of the board was cut through be
fore the weapon reached its mark. He
drew his pistol and tried to fire, but the
assailants were too quick for him, and
the leader inflicted CHASTITY cash on his
pistol hand. While this was passing,
THE HEROIC WIFE OF DIAz
picked up chair, rushed upon one of her
huaband's ould-be-murderers pinned
him to the wall, and by main force
wrenched the machete from his bloody
hands. With this she defended herself
and fastened to the aid of Diaz. Per-
ceiving a favorable opportunity, she said
to her husband, ''Now fire." lie did so,
and fatally shot the leader. Within the
church bloody and murderous hand to
hand fight 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 incumbcr-
ed by dying or wounded men and women.
Ten or a dozen shots were fired, few
from the assailed, some Of whom had re-
volyers. At the commencement of the
onslaught those who were near the door
attempted to escape. That was fatal
mistake, for, as the afrighted worshipcrs
gained the street, they were deliberately
cut down by the ambushed rufIans sta.
toned on both sides Of the door outside.
In this way the American citizen, Henry
Morris, met his death. Ills head was
nearly severed from the body by a
machete-blow, and his chest cut open at a
single stroke. He and two other men and
woman were killed outright, and
eleven wounded moro or less severely, Of
whom several have since died. Morris
was a c0lored man from Boston. lie
leaves wife and several children. The
massacre commenced about ten minutes
after eight clock and lasted only six or
eight minutes The first news which the
authorities had Of it was from a woun led
man called Juan FL Negro, who made his
way to the plaza and drug store, where
he was met by Major Francisco Mejia,
Commander Of the few Federal troops
stationed about Acapulco, Aejia at once
started on a run 10 the scene Of action,
some 400 yards off, snd, few minutes
later, the town police, followed soon after
by 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 time
when the authorities reached their posts.
As usual, in such cases, the police and
allies came too late. They GOT to the fatal
field only in time to pick up the dead and
wounded, hut not early enough TO arrest
on the spot or follow up any one who
could be Immediately recognized as
participant in the dreadful tragedy. One
of the assassns, who was desperately
wounded, and could not get out Of the
way, was taken into custody aud placed
ia close confinement. BY his deposition,
in which, Of course, il appeared as il he
hal figured As spectator only, couple
of other wounded men were apprehended,
but IA pnhnlv apnaarpd IN tupitnat,