The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-09-26
WAR ON THE BORDER.
"A Mexican Mob in Possession Oi
Rio Grande, Texas.
U. s. TROOPS TO THE RESCUE.
A Massacre of Texans Immlncnt-An
Appeal to the Governor for Aid.
The Advtces Received at Wash-
ington-StartIlng Dispatche


AUSTIN, TEX, Sept. 25.-The mos
alarming kilograms have been received
by Governor Ross.
They inform him that there is war
bloody and fierce, now ranging on tn,
Texas frontier, and that Rio Grande Citl
has been for tho past twenty-four hour
in possession of an armed Mexican mob
All the kilograms thus received have
come either from John P. Kelsey
County Judge of Starr county, or the
Sheriff, and each succeeding one is more
startling and sensational than the other.
They all demand troops Immediately,
and convey the impression in plain
words that rampant anarchy runs riot
on the border, aud that the lives OF
American citizens in that section are in
imminent peril.
The extraordinary and sensational
state Of affairs had its origin in the fatal
encounter which took place in Rio
Grande City last Saturday between
Catrino Z. Garsa, editor of Ell COnimercio
MericnnO, and United States Revenue
Officer Victor Sebree. In the fight Sc
bree shot and killed Garsa, who was
very popular all along the Rio Grande,
and rs result the MeXicaB rose in re-
volt and endcavored to lynch Sebree.
The Texas officials. however, saved him
for the time being from the fury OF the
mob and wired Governor Ross as fol-
lows:
"Great riot is raging here. Armed
men are parading the streets. Send
State Rangers or call on United States
troops at Fort Ringgold." This dispatch
was followed by another from Mr.. T. w.
Kennedy, member of the Legislature, us
follows: "Send all the available troops
you can and ut once. Armed Mexicans
are in control OF the city and the
county"
Sunday night and yesterday similar
messages OF CONSERVATION kept coming,
the last one reading us follows: "a fight
has Just taken place between two Mexi-
cans and one American; one Mexican
killed. Tie MeXicans now demand the
American to be delivered to them. Riot
prevented by placing the American
under arrest" Another telegram reads:
"0ver one hundred and fifty armed
Mexicans are attempting to lynch Sc
bree. Send Rangers at once. The riot
still continues"
Rio Grande City is eighty miles from
the nearest railroad station and 1t is ex-
tremely difficult to reach it. Governor
Ross has, Notwithstanding, ordered the
entire Ranger force OF Texas to proceed
with all possible haste to the scene OF
battle, as n massacre OF Texas citizens is
feared. The MeXicans number ten to
one of the whites in that section, and
there is no telling to what excess they
will resort, especially as they have no
difficulty in escaping to Mexico il it
suits them. Governor Ross has also,
all the SheritIs Of all the
on the border or contiguous to
it to proceed by forced marches to the
district and take armed posses
along with them. He has likewise tele.
graphed the San Antonio Rifles, the
Rifles and the famous Houston
Light Guards TO hold themselves in
readiness TO march at n moments notice.
1t is believed there will be general
of Texas citizens before mid
night unless the United States troops
from Fort Ringgold come to their res
cue, The event is likely to lead to in |
ternational communications, and, should
n massacre occur, swift and wholesale
retribution is certain to follow. Gov
ernor Ross says the situation is ex-
tremcly grave, and the absence OF ad-
vices for several hours gives rise to the
worst fears.
Information in the executive office TO-
day from Rio Grand City has been
very meagre. 1t is supposed the
wires around the place have been
cut by the mob. Enough is
known, however, to say that Mr..
Sebrec, the U. S. custom officer, who
shot CARA, is in Fl. Ringgold, under
the protection OF Lieutenant-C Colonel
Clendenning, commanding the United
States troops. This morning Col. Glen
denning telegraphed Governor Ross
that he would protect Sebree at
all hazards until the civil authorities
could be aided by the State troops.
Many wild rumors were ahoat to-day,
one Of them to the effect that MeXi-
can mob in large bodies menaced the
United States troops in Fort Ringgold
in order to lynch Mr.. Sebree.
During the day Governor Ross re-
ceived a dispatch from Gen. Stanley,
commanding the U. S. troops in Texas,
saying that the Secretary OF War
had ordered him to protect the lives
OF the people and the property at the |
scene OF the trouble ana to hold Sebree
until he is demanded by the State
authorities.