The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1878-02-15
MURDER0US MEXICANs.

MURDER0US MEXICANS.
An Authe ntic Account Of the Butchery of
Howard, Atkinson and Mcbride, ~ San
Eiizario, Texas.
from the Memphis Appeal
A citizen OF FL Paso, OF Mexican ex-
traction, gives an account, from personal
observation, of the fearful massacre at
San Elizario, which is tranlated and pub
lished in the Mesilla Valley Netos.
When Mr.. Ellis, the Commissary of the
Rangers and leading merchant, was
expostulating with the mob, Leon Gran
Ito cried out "AhOrd es tempo :"
(now is the time). Then Eutemio Chaves
rode up ON horse back AMI threw lasso
over Ellis and started on q run, dragging
the unfortunate man. After he had
dragged him some distance, he then got
down and cut his throat, and his body
was thrown to the coyotes. heard their
consultations, and knew all about the
trap they set to catch Howard, Atkinson
and Mcbride. They sent in flag Of
truce, and the besieged men were guar
anteed safety and kind treatment if they
surrendered. Mr.. Atkinson gave up to
the leaders of the mob 81 900 in specie,
currency and drafts, on condition that
they would permit him, Howard, Nc
Bride and all the Rangers to depart with
out molestation. Chico Barela swore by
the holy cross that he would faithfully
keep his part of the agreement. Mr..
Atkinson believed him and said Well,
you have received better price for us
than we should bring if sold at public
auction" 1t is said by some OF the mob
that Chico Barela intended to keep his
word, and that he sent messenger
across the river to the Cura Barajo in
forming him of what had been done,
and received this answer: "Shoot all
the Gringos, and L will absolve you"
Howard was first taken out i; the entire
mob was formed in a regiment, about six
hundred strong, and marched with How
ard at the head to the place of execution.
He walked erectly, with his hands be-
hind him. When ne reached the place
of execution, the command was given to
halt Howard instantly stopped, and
turning, faced the mob; they were
drawn out in line. All was silent as
death. Desiderio Apodaca, with firing
party of eight men, came up and took
positions about ten feet from the doomed
man, who stood quietly watching the
proceedings. When all was ready How
ard spoke. He could not speak Spanish
very fuently, but enough to make him
self understood. He said: " You are
now about to execute 800 men ;" then,
barring his breast. he gave the word
:" fire - Then the firing party fired, and
Howard fell, and kicked and squirmed
4l.,
up to the body, and, raising a machete
large knife) III both hands, struck at
the body; the blow fell, but Howard
turned, and the machete fell on Telles'
feet, cutting off two of his toes. The
body was then hacked and mutilated,
after which it was dragged to an old well
and thrown in. Then Atkinson and
Mcbride were brought out, and stood on
the spot where Howard had fallen. Nc
Bride said nothing, but appeared to be
very melancholy (triSte). Atkinson spoke
in excellent Spanish. After stating the
pledges they had made to release the
party, and the oath they had taken to
perform their promises, he asked them if
they still intended to violate their solemn
pledges. The crowd shouted "Aca
benlOs ;" (fnish them). "Then,"
said Atkinson, "there is no remedy?"
ono no I" shouted the crowd. "Then
let me die with honor" he said CT will
give the word" de then took off his
coat and vest, opened his shirt so as to
uncover his breast, looked at the party
of eight men who stood with their guns
ready to fire, and said, in a cool manner,
When give the word, fire at my heart
fire - AS he gave the word, five bull
let's struck him in the belly. He stag
gered, but recovered himself and
shouted, "Mas drri6a ca6rones :"
(higher up, you }. Twos shot were
then fred, and he fell, but still was not
dead he motioned toward his head, and
Desiderio Apodaca, the commander of
the firing party, put pistol to his head
and finished him. Mcbride was instantly
killed. Their bodies were then dragged
off. / witnessed the above scene,
heard the remarks 1 have given, and
hold myself responsible for the truth of
this account. When this occurred there
stood in the line of insurgents over three
hundred men from the opposite side of
the river, and L can furnish the names of
most of them if desired. After this,
and also after the troops arrived, wagon
load after wagon-load of plumber was
hauled away from the town to the oppo-
site side of the river.