The New York herald., 1877-10-07
A BORDER REBELLION.
Ell PaSo County, Texas, in the Hands
Of a Mexican Mob.
A MASSACRE IMMINENT.
-Four Hundred Armed Greasers Crying
death to the Gingos."
tBY TELEanApH TO THE HERALD.l

SAN ANTONIO Texas, Oct. 9, 1877.
Intelligence Of startling Mexican uprising
In the northwest OF this State has just been
having reached that post by mail this morning
The scene Of the trouble Is Ell Paso, large, but for
the most part barren county which is almost
entirely Inhabited by Mexcans. 1t is nearly ten
thousand square miles in extent, but only sustalns
apoDulation oiabout four tho1shnd souls, OF which
Dne-tenth are colored and not half hundred Eng
ish speaking Americans.
WILD COUNTRY.
The inhabitants or the county are nearly all
settled along the narrow valley OF the Rio Grande,
which forms Its western boundary. This liz almost
the only arabic portion OF the county, the remain
der consisting Of sandy plains without water or
timber, crossed by ranges OF mountains. In the
northwest there are expanses Of salty marshes and
lakes, which, as will be seen hereafter, have some.
thing to do with the trouble.
ORIGIN OF THE TROUBLE.
Along the Rio Grande Valley are, as has been
noted, the principal settlements, and between
these and the Mexican town OF FL Paso there Is
continual intercourse and the sentiment Of the in
habitants is strongly pro-Mexican ana bitterly
hostile to American whites For some time past
there has been a feud In the county between a
party led by Judge Charles II. Howard and one led
BY mail contractor named Louis Cards The
former is married to the daughter of man
named Zlmpelman, who has located claims on
several Of the salt lakes where, up to short time
Ago. the Mexcans used to procure their salt Tree of
charge. OF late Howard has insisted that all salt
taken must be paid for
THE OUTBREAK.
very bitter state of feeling was the result, and
eliminated in an open quarrel in the town OF San
Elizario between Cards and Howard. The Sheriff
was called in to prevent boodshed, but, the quar-
rel once started, 1t impossible TO preserve the
peace. The Mexcans rose en- naasss and seized
the town, flung Judge Howard into the jail and
bound him hand and foot with ropes
"DEATH TO THE GRINGos.n
This done they paraded the streets shouting
'Death to the Crin0os" and "Vipa la MJico.n
Soon after they captured some other officials, In.
ANOTHER TOWN CAPTURED.
The town OF Isletta was also visited by band OF
armed MeXicans and the officials driven out or
captured.
THIRTY AMERICANS IN DANGER
A most excited feeling prevails and the gravest
nars are entertained for the lives OF Mr.. Howard
and the other Americans, about thirty In number
who are at the mercy Of the iniuriated Mexican
mob. single shot might bring about q horrible
massacre. 1t is stated that there are 400 Mexcans
In arms, and their leaders boast that they have all
the assistance they need from the other side ofthe
river. There are no United States troops near the
scene OF this little rebellion.
INc0MMUNIcADo.
At military headquarters substantially the same
account is given OF the origin OF the disturbance.
The rebelous Mexicans have thrown out scouts
and pickets around the towns named and along the
river. No American Is allowed to communicate
with the prisoners.
TROOPS no BE SENT.
call has been made from Ell Paso for troops and
It is probable that Colonel Hatch will be sent tnere
The call is Tor two companies, with artillery.
A CURIOUS THEORY.
Another theory OF the trouble is that 1t was
started by Louis Cards, who IS the mortal enemy
OF Judge Howard, and who wants troops sent to f,
Paso to protect the mail, OF which he Is the sub
contractor
MEXICO NOT TO BLAME.
This outrage cannot be laid 10 the charge OF
Mexico, as the Mexicans complained OF are Amer.
citizens living this side OF the river who feel
themselves aggrieved by the conduct OF Judge
Howard, and who are urged on their lawless course
by his rival, Cards These points are cleaned from
the official correspondence.
LAW.
At the time Howard was seized by the mob he
was in the hands OF the Sheriff for attempting to
kill Cards.
EXCITEMENT IN NEW ORLEANS.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO TIE HERALD
NEW ORLEANS, Oct. o, 1877.