Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1878-01-07
THE BORDER WAR.

A Full Account OF the Salt Pit Troubles.
Washington, Jan. 4-The cabinet dif-
cusseu Mexican relations. II was thought
propcr to make public the report of S. g.
Slade, collector ut FL Paso, regarding the
r,cc t troubles. In a letter to the secretary
OF the ,r. asury, dated Ell Paso, Oct, %, the
collector gives The facts as nearly as obtain-
able, and says:
Although mainly of u local character, it
cannot be denied that many Mexicans from
our neighborhocd were engaged in the fight
with the mob, and they llau assurances "i
further assistance if needed. The collector
details the troubles arising from the adop-
ton Of measures to prevent Mexicans from
obtaining salt from The lakes in the vicinity,
and which terminated in the death of Mr..
C1udis.
In a letter dated Dec. 20 the collector
says:
On the 9Th or 9th inst, a large number of
Mexicans with wagons left San Ell carlo for
the salt lakes. They were expected back on
the 18th or 14tb, and on the afternoon of
the 18th Howard left here for San Elizario,
with an escort of Texas rangers, for the
avowed purpose of serving a writ of se4ues-
tration and arrest upon the parties having
the salt. l am informed that ai.er they gol
there they went into the plaza and though
the principal streets of the town and that
Howard greatly exasperated and incensed
the Mexicans by calling them "greasers'
and other opprob,iors e%pithets, and by in.
viting them to come and take him now.
During the night the Mexicans gathered
and armed themselves and in the morning
the rangers found themselves surround, d
md firing commenced on DO Ii sides. 1t is
impossible TO ascertain who fred the first
shot. Some all-ge that a man by the name
of Atkinson, who attached himself to the
rangers, fred the fr,t, and others that the
first shot cane from the Mexican side. AL!
are agreed, however, that the Mexicans
killed the first man, a Mr.. Ellis, who had a
contract 10 supply the rangers with pro-
visions, etc. II appears that many of the
rangers had congregated at his house that
evening and were having a %convivial time
when Ellis proposed to go out and see what
was going on. He never returned. 1t is
supposed he was spying around and did not
halt when commandec an l was shot, or that
he had obtained some information while
e%avesdropping snd had been caught in the
act. For four days they had the rangers
surrounded and had commenced to tunnel
under the building in which the g were
qnartered. On the 10th inst. a white flag
was raised by the rangers for the purpose
of getting on old gentleman, Mr.. Loomis,
out of the rangers quarters, who happened
to be caught in there when they we're sur
rounded d. The Mexicans also raised a white
flag and Mr.. Loomis got out. From this
circumstance negotiations were started and
Lieutenant Toys asked them what they
wanted. They replied that they wanted
Howard and would have him. They asked
Lieut.. Toys whether he was hired by How
ard or was en- duty and under orders from
the governor Of the state. When informed
that he was under instructions from the gov
ernor it appeared to give them a new idea
They then told Lieut.. Toys that if How ard
would come over to their camp and talk
for himself they thought the trouble could
be settled. Lieut.. Toys went back to his
quarters and told Howard what they had
said to him, hut that he need not go without
he wished. Howard concluded to go, and
1T. Toys went with him. The Mexicans til. n
sent for A kinson, acting as Towards ag mt
in the sal. business Lieut.. Toys and How
and McB'ide outside. The Mexicans went
in where Toys and Howard were and told
Lieut.. Toys that they " shed to speak with
I lloWdEu dl''le 1Licut. XOSS SIueV W IVdSe
him, wherenpon thev took him in their
arms by force and carried him on, Of the
room. In the meantime the remainder OF
the rangers had surrendered. They dis
armed them and placed a strong guard
around them. They then took Howard,
Atkinson and Mcbride out to one side OF
the town TO a place where they had already
dug a grave, stood them in a row picked
out nine Of their best marksmen, and sho,
them down. They held the g prison
crs during the night and released them the
next day. giving them their horses, but re.
tanning their arma.
During the fsilade two rangers were
killed and it is thought three or four Mexi.
cans and a number wounded.
Since that time (the 18th nothing definite
has been ascertained of their operations o,
intentions. Not. a .inele American ia lef
in the town. All have fed to this place
The rangers of cou se feel very bitter be
cause 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 hac
killed Caudis, their best friend.
There can be no doubt that many o
the mob were from the other side of tn,
river.
News has Just been received that the Mex
leans ct San Eiizario are taking their fami
lies to the other side of the river undo
promise Of the officials there that they vii
protect them. The deputy collectors ofic'
at San Elizario and Yotela have been close,
for two weeks. The deputy collector Of I'll,
latter place sou hit refuge here. I hav
not heard from the former for twelve days