Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1878-01-11
Washington Notes.
AN AUTHENTIC ACCOUNT or THE III. PASo
FIGHT.

FIGHT.
A Washington telegram Of Jan 9Th
saws the cabinet has had u long SEES
sion, discussing oar Mexican relations.
II was thought proper to make the re
port Of S. G. Sladc, collector ut Elpaso,
regarding the recent troubles, public.
In letter to the secretary Of the treas
ury dated Elpnso. Oct. 2, the collector
says. deem it my duty to make YOU
acquainted with the facts relative to the
recent troubles Oh this frontier, us near
~ have been able to- learn them. Al
though mainly Of local character it
cannot be denied that many McAicans
rom ollr ncIghborhoOd were engaged
in it and the mob had assurance of
further assistance if needed. The col
lcctor details the troubles arising from
the adoption of measures to prevent
Mcxcnns 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 saws.
On the 9Th or 9th inst. II large number
of Mexcans with wagons left San Eli1-
ario for the salt lakes They were OK
pcctod back on the 18th or 18th, and
on the afternoon Of the 18th Mr.. How
ard left here for SAN El2ario with AL
escort Of Texas rangers for the ayowod
purpose of serving II writ of sequcstra-
ton and arrest Of parties having the
salt ann informed that after they got
there they went into the plaza and
through the principal streets Of the
town, and that Howard greatly eNns-
pcratcd and incenscd the MeXicans by
calling them grcascrs and other appro-
brious cpethels, and by inviting them
10 como and take him now. During
the night the McXlcans grathercd and
armed themselves. In the morning
the rangers found themselves surround
ed and firing commenced on both sides
Ii is impossible To- ascertain who fired
the first shots Some nllcgc that
II man hy the name Of
Atkinson Who attached himself
10 the rangers fired FIRST. Others that
tho first shot came from thc Mexican
side. All are agreed however, that the
McXicans killed the first man, Mr..
Ellis, who had the contract to supply
the rangers with provisions, etc. tap
pears that many cf tho rangers had
rongrcgatcd At his house chat evening,
and were having Il conviyial time.
when Mr. Ellis proposed To 50 out and
see what WAS gong on. Tie never re-
turned. II Is supposed that he was
spying sround and did not halt when
commanded 80 Is do, and was shot, or
that hc had obtained some information
while housekeeping and had been
caught III the act Cor four days
they had the rangers surrounded
and had commenced to tunnel
under the building i'll which rangers
were Quartered. On the 10th inst. a
white flag WAS raised by the rangers for
the purpose of getting M old gentle
man. MIR. Looms, ont ui the rangers
quarters. who happened 70 nc caught
ii there when they We're surrounded.
The Mcxicnns also raised " white ilag
ana Mr. Loomis got ont. From this
circumstance negotiations started, and
Lieut. lays asked them what they want
ed. They replied they wanted Howard,
and would have him. They asked 1t.
laws whether he MAS hired by Howard
~ mas on duty and under orders from
the governor Of the state. When IL
formed that III VAS under instructions
from the governor il appeared 70 give
them new idea. They then told IL.
lnvs if Howard would come oyer Y
| their camp and talk for himself they
| Thought the trouble could be settled.
| Ii. lays went hack t. Iii, quarters and
told Howard what they had said g him
j hui IVY necannt IN without hc " ~.