Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1878-01-10
Washington Notes.
AN AUTHENTIC ACCOUNT OF THE Ell PAsO
FIGHT

FIGHT
! A Washington telegram of Jan. 9th
says the cabinet has had a long ses-
sion, discussing our Mexican relations.
| 1t was thought proper to make the re-
polt of S. G. Slade, collector at Elpaso,
regarding the recent troubles, public.
In I letter to the secretary Of the treas
ury dated Elpaso. Oct. 2, the collector
says: | deem it my duty to make you
acquainted with the facts relative to the
recent troubles on this frontier, as near
as | have been able to learn them AL
! though mainly of a local character it
cannot be denied that many Mexicans
! rom our neighborhood were engaged
! in it and the mob had assurance of
further assistance if needed. The col
! lector details the troubles arising from
the adoption of measures to prevent
Mexicans from obtaining salt from the
lakes in the vicinity, and which
terminated in the death of
Mr.. Candies. In the letter
dated December 20, the collector SAYS:
On the 9Th or 9th inst. a large number
of MeXicans with wagons left San Eliz-
ario for the salt lakes. They were ex-
pected back on the 18th or 14th, and
on the afternoon of the 10Th Mr.. How
ard left here for San Elizario with an
| escort of Texas rangers for the avowed
purpose of serving writ of sequestra-
| ton and arrest of parties having the
salt. | am informed that after they got
there they went into the plaza and
through the principal streets of the
town, and that Howard greatly exas-
perated and incensed the Mexicans by
calling them greasers and other appro-
brious epethets, and by inviting them
to come and take him now. During
the night the Mexicans grathered and
armed themselves. In the morning
the rangers found themselves surround
ed and firing commenced on both sides
1t Is impossible to ascertain who fired
the first shots. Some allege that
man by the name Of
Atkinson who attached himself
to the rangers fired first. Others that
the first shot came from the Mexican
side. All are agreed, however, that the
Mexicans killed the first man, Mr..
Ellis, who had the contract to supply
the rangers with provisions, etc. 1t APP
pears that many Cf the rangers had
congregated at his house that evening,
and were having Il convivial time,
when Mr.. Ellis proposed to go out and
see what was going on. He never re-
turned. 1t is supposed that he was
spying sround and did not halt when
commanded so to do, and was shot, or
that he had obtained some information
while eaves-dropping and had been
caught in the act. For four days
they had the rangers surrounded
and had commenced to tunnel
under the building in which rangers
were quartered On the 10th inst. q
white flag was raised by the rangers for
the purpose of getting an old gentle
man. Mr.. Loomis, out of the rangers
quarters. who happened to be caught
in there when they were surrounded.
The Mexicans also raised q white flag,
and Mr.. Loomis got out. From this
circumstance negotiations started, and
Lieut.. Tays asked them what they want
ed. They replied they wanted Howard,
and would have him. They asked 1t
Tays whether he was hired by Howard
or was on duty and under orders from
the governor of the state. When in
formed that he was under instructions
from the governor it appeared to give
them new idea. They then told 1t
Tays if Howard would come over to
their camp and talk for himself they
! thought the trouble could be settled
1t. Tays went back to his quarters and
told Howard what they had said to him
but he need not 60 without he so de-
sired. Howard, however, concluded to
go, and 1t Tays went with him. The
Mexicans then sent for Atkinson
and a Mr.. Mcbride, who
had been acting as Howard's agent in
the salt business. Lieuts. Tays and
Howard were in a room together, At
kinson and Mcbride outside. The
Mexicans went in where lays and
Howard were, and told Lieut.. Tays
that they wished to speak with Howard
alone. Lieut. Tays then refused to
leave him, whereupon they took him IN
their arms by force and carried him
out Of the room. In the meantime
thr remainder Of the rangers had sur
rendered They disarmed them and
placed a strong guard over them. They
| then took Howard, Atkinson and Nc
Bride out to one side of the town, to a
place where they had already
dug a grave, stood them in row.
picked out nine of their best marks
men and shot them down. They held
the rangers prisoners during the night
and released them next day, giving
them their horses but retaining their
arms. During the fulsilade two rangers
were killed and it is thought three or
four Mexicans, and number wounded.
Since that time (1Sth) nothing definite
has been ascertained oftheiG operations
or intentions Not a single American
is left in town. All have fled to
this place. The rangers, of
course, feel very bitter because
of the rough treatment they have re
ceived The Mexicans claim that they
wanted nothing but Howard, and him
they would have cost what it might. He
had killed Cardist, their best friend.
There can be no doubt that many OF
the mob were from the other side of the
river.
News has just been received that
Mexicans at San Elizario are taking
their families to the other side of the
river, under promise of officials there
that they will protect them. The depu-
ty collectors offices at San Elizario and
Yalita have been closed fer two weeks.
The deputy collector of the latter place
sought refuge here. Have not heard
from the former for II days.
MONTHLY COINAGE STATEMENT.
:. The following is the statement OF
coinage executed during the month Of
December, 1877: Double eagle pieces
! 165,924, amount, s6,31S,480; eagle