The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1888-09-27
EXCITING EMEUTE.
Dusky Sons of the Montezumas
On the Rampage.
Rio Grande City in the Hands of
Furious Mob.


with two Mexicans, ole of whom was
Editor CARA, of Corpus Christi, in which
CARA was killed and his friend wounded
After the difficulty Sebree mounted his
horse and made break for Ringgold
barracks, pursued by mounted Mexicans,
firing on him. He got into the resetva-
ton and was put In the guard house.
mob of about 200 armed men went into
the garrison and demanded of the COM
mander, Colonel Clendenin, to give him up
to them, which request was promptly re-
fused and they were ordered out of the
reservation. The greatest disorder pre-
vailed, and the whole town was last night
delivered over to mob violence. The
telegraph office was besieged and no at
tempt to deliver messages was made, as
1t was believed that the messenger boy
would be killed. An attempt was made
during the evening to send a fraudulent
telegram, purporting to be from Judge
Kelsey to Austin, but it was discovered
and its delivery prevented.
1t having been intimated that the Starr
county authorities would call on Sheriff
Brito for aid, he made preparations to
charter special train from the Metamo-
ras railroad and go to their assistance
with fifty men.
The rioters are composed of the lowest
class of Mexicans, among whom are many
noted smugglers and bandits. Their
party are adherents of the revolutionary
Mexican chief Martinez and his gang, and
are the same who started society in starr
county pledged to run every American
out of Office in that section.
Fears are expressed by many in Rio
Grande for the safety of American and
foreign residents and families in that
section.
Colonel Clendenin is in command of
Ringgold barracks, has three companies
of troops, a force Of about 100 men, under
his command, and il is to be hoped that,
beingl cut off from communication with
Washington by telegraph, he may assume
the responsibility of protecting lives and
property in the city.
The mob cut the telegraph wires, and
only the brief telegram which appeared
In Sundays STATESMAN reached the
governor Saturday.
The following kilograms we're received
by the governor Sunday and yesterday,
and they speak for themselves:
BROWNSVILLE, September %, 1888.
governor hNSe, Austin =
have reliable information that the civil author
tiles at Rio Grande city are poweress against mob.
Please telegraph request to United States military
authorities to protect the citizens there until
state troops can reach the place.
TOWNSVILLE, September 20, 1885,
L. S. Ross governor:
am requested to wire you Immediately request
ing that you send comnany of state rangers to
people and officers there cannot communicate
with you, as the wires are down, supposed to have
been cut by the mob to prevent communication.
From all that we can learn here am satisfied that
the aid they ask is very much needed, and should
be sent at the earliest possible moment, or it may
be too late. Cannot the United States troops eta
tioEed there at Fort Ringgold be ordered by wire
to protect the people ard aid in enforcing law and
order until the rangers arrive?
DAVIS RANCH, VIA CAMARGo AND BROWNSVILLE,
September 49, 1883.
Street affray yesterday between two Mexicans
and one American. Both MeXicans wounded, one
seriously. Mexicans greatly incensed and demand
ing delivery to tn m of the American. Riot as yet
prevented by placing the American under the pro-
lection of the commanding officer at Fort Rnggold
More than 100 Mexicans under arms demanding of
me to place the American in jail If comply he
will be lynched as | am powerless to get posse
to protect him. If don't place him In jail my
life is threatened. am temporizing, but can't do
so much longer. If rangers are not sent at once l
officer at Fort Ringgod can't protect town without
orders from war department. Wire president to
authorize use of United States troops until rangers
arrive W. W. SHELLY.
DAVIS RANCH, WA CAMARGo AND BRowNsyILLE.)
September %, 1888.
Governor Rose, Austin:
Two Maxicans wounded, one MORALLY in a
street fight yesterday by Customs Officer Sebree.
Large parties of armed Mexicans are parading the
streets, demanding vengeance. riot has been
UQnfa d fop hu MIA darf ha
lection of the commander of Fort Ringgold. They
are demanding his being placed in jail, no doubt In
order to murder him. Very few Americans hee.
Sheriff powerless and his life in danger. Com
handing officer at Ringgold is pewerless to send
troops protect the town without orders from the
war department Wire the president for such Or
dere and send a company of rangers at once Have
sent you full particulars by letter. ***
The names of some of the senders of
the above dispatches are withheld.
The governor yesterday wired the fol-
lowing answers:
To Sheriff Brito, Brownsv lie:
Summon posse of good men, and go to Rio
Grande City, to aid the sheriff of Starr county, to
restore order and the supremacy of the law at all
hazards. Other contiguous sheriff. have the same
orders. Expenses will be paid by the state.
l.. s. Ross, Governor.
AUSTIN, September "a, 1858.
Troops are being sent as rapidly as possible. e
is expected that Jones' company of rangers will
reach there tonight l.. T. Ross.
Governor.
AUSTIN, September "a, 1888.
To j. j. Cooke Brownsville:
All available troops ordered aud on the way.
l.. S. Ross, Governor.
AUsTIN, September %, 1888.
w. W. Shelley, Sheriff Starr County:
All the available troops are ordered to your as-
distance and the eheriffs of adjacent counties are
directed TO proceed with posse without delay to
aid you in restoring order. Don't place Sebree In
jail till he can be protected from mob violence.
Captain Jones will probably reach you Monday
night. l., s. Ross, Governor
The governor also sent the followin g:
AUSTIN, September "a.
To Captain Clendenin, Rinpgold Barracks;
learn from the EYprese that you have pro-
tected Sebree from mob violence. Accept n y
thanks. State troops will arrive shortly to pre-
serve order. l.. S. Ross,
Governor of Texas.
THE ASSISTANCE.
As stated in Sundays STATESMAN, Captain
Jones and his company of rangers were
ordered to Rio Graude city Saturday
night, and it is probable they reached the
scene of the emuete last night.
Sunday, on receipt of Sheriff Sheely's
dispatch, Lieutenant Brooks, stationed in
Kerr county with his rangers, were ordered
to Join Jones with all dispatch, and will
l. j