The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1878-01-18
An Ineligible Account or the Fl Paso
Troubles.


S. G. Slada, Collector nj FL Paso.
Texas, has forwarded TO Washington
the following account of the recent
troubies AZ San Elizario. After giving a
detailed account Of the troubles arising
from the adoption Of measures TO pre-
vent the Mexicans from obtaining salt
from the lakes in the vicinity, and which
terminated in the death Of Candis. he
says; ''On the 9Th or 9th inst. large
number OF Mexicans, with wagons, left
San Elizario for the Salt Lakes. They
were expected back on the 18th or 14th.
and on the afternoon Of the 18th Mr..
Howard left here for San Elizario with
an escort Of Texas Rangers, for the
avowed purpose Of serving writs Of Sc
questration and arrest Of the parties
having the salt. am informed that
after they got there they went to the
Plaza, and through the principal streets
of the town, and that Howard greatly
exasperated and incensed the Mexicans
by calling them 'Greasers' and other op-
probrious epithets, and by inviting them
TO come and take him now. During the
night the Mexicans gathered and armed
themselves. In the morning the rangers
found themselves surrounded, and fir
ing commenced on both sides. 1t is
impossible to ascertain who fired the
first shot. 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 Mexi-
can side. All are agreed, however, that
the Mexicans killed the first mana
Mr.. Ellis, who had contract to supply
the rangers with provisions, etc. 1t APP
pears that many Of the rangers had con-
gregated at his house that evening and
were having a convivial time when Mr..
Ellis proposed to go out and see what
was going on. He never returned. It
Is supposed that he was spying around
and did not halt when commanded and
was shot, or that he had obtained some
information while eavesdropping and
had been caught in the act. For four
days they had the rangers surrounded
and commenced to tunnel under the
building in which the rangers were
quartered. On the 10th inst, a white
flag was raised by the rangers for the
purpose Of getting an old gentleman,
Mr.. LOOMS, out Of the rangers quar-
ters, who happened to be caught in
there when they were surrounded The
Mexicans also raised white flag and
MIR. LOOMS got out. From this circum-
stance negotiations were started and
Lieutenant Toyes asked them what they
''They replied that they wanted How
ard and would have him. They asked
Lieut.. Toyes whether he was hired by
Howard, or was ON duty under orders
from the Governor Of the State.
"When informed that he was under
Instructions from the Go, ernor II APP
peared to give them new idea. They
hen told Lieut. Toyes that if Howard
would come over to their camp and talk
Tor himself they thought the trouble
could be settled.
ssLieut. Toyes went back to his quar-
ters and told Howard what they had
said to him, but that he need not 90
he so wished. Howard, how
ever, concluded to go, and Lieut.. Toyes
vent with him. The Mexicans then
lent for Atkinson and Mr.. Mcbride,
Who had been acting as Towards agent
n the salt business. Lieut.. Toyes and
Howard were in room together, At
linson ndMcBride outside. The Mex
cans went in where Toyes and Howard
we're and told Lieut.. Toyes that they
Wished to speak with Howard alone.
lieut.. Toyes then refused TO leave him,
vhereupon they took him in their arms
" force and carried him out of the
Dom. In the meantime the remainder
4 the rangers had surrendered, and
hey disarmed them and placed strong
'uard over them.
i" They then took Howard. Atkinson
nd Mcbride out to one side Of the town,
o place where they HAD already dug
grave, stood them in a row, picked out
inc 81 their best marksmen and shot
hem down. They held the rangers
prisoners during the night and released
hem next day, giving them their horses
ut retaining their arms.
During the ftisilade two rangers
'cre killed and, it is thought, three or
our Mexicans and number wounded.
incc that time (the 18th inst.) nothing
efinite has been asccrtained Of their
perations or intentions Not single
american is left in the town. all having
ed TO this place. The rangers, Of
curse, feel very bitter because Of the
ough treatment they have received.
he Mexicans claim that they wanted
othing but Howard, and him they
Tould have, cost what It might. He
nd killed Candis, their best friend.
here can be no doubt that many Of the
hob were from the other side Of the
iver.
/" News has just been received that the
iexicans at San Elizario are taking
icir families to the other side Of the riy-
r, under promise Of officials there that
hey will protect them. The Deputy
'ollector's Offices at San Elizario and
'otcta have been closed for the last two
'eeks. The Deputy Collector Of the