Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1888-04-13
A MEXICAN HORROR.

DISPATCHES from the city Of Celaya,
Mexico, give the following account OF
a dreadful scene at bull-i1ght In that
place: -
o'clock, the bull ring here was crowded
with spectators of the great national
sport. The company of bull-fighters
from Leon was still playing with the
first bull when a fire suddenly broke
out Oh the sunny side OF the plaza. A
panic seized upon the vast assemblage
and a frightful spectacle was the
result The plaza was constructed OF
wooden masts and reeds and 1t was
due to this fact that the majority OF
the people escaped without injury,
being able to force an opening per-
hitting al exit at different points,
but many women and children Jumped
from the top, distance OF two hun
dred to three hundred feet, and over
one hundred of them were unded.
Eighteen lives were lost.
"The sides of the plaza, being lined
with mating, were as dry as finder,
and. there being slight wind blow
ing, the amphitheatre was i'll blaze
in few seconds. Nine dead bodies,
in some cases SO charred as to be I'M
recognizable, have so far been taken
from the smoking ruins. Nine per
SONS were SO badly burned that they
died yesterday. Sixty eight persons
were very badly burned, and though
thew still live, at least ten OF them
will die this week. Fifty persons, in
escaping, were knocked down and
trampled upon by the panic-strick ken
throng, and are very seriously but
not fatally injured.
The bulls maddened by the roar
ing of the flames, broke loose from
their stalls and rushed wildly through
the surging mass of humanity, tossing
aloft and knocking over all who stood
In their way. Among the eighteen
dead We're two women who were first
gored to death by the bulls and their
bodies afterward burned.
The scenes in the neighborhoodo OF
the bull ring were sickening beyond
description. Women and children,
Invested of their clothing and crazed
with suffering from their burns, ran
aimlessly through the streets and
could scarcely be overtaken or col
lected by their friends. Several per-
sons lost their reason from the severe
mental shocks to which they were
subjected. The fire was incendiary.
In the Celaya Jail were a number of
prisoners-army deserters-who had
obtained permission from the authori-
ties TO attend the bull-fight. They
were accompanied by a strong guard
of soldiers to prevent escape, but one
of the deserters surreptitiously struck
a match and lighted one of the mats
and in an instant the Sol side of the
ring was ablaze. In the confusion
and excitement the prisoners tried TO
make good their escape, taking
chances to effect their ends.
The best society of Celaya was Ill
attendance. There was an unusual
number of ladies and little children
present, and these, as often is the case
in such events, were the sufferers. No
man lost his life. The helpless little
ones and their mothers, who would
not desert their offspring, were the
victims of this most appalling catas-
trophe. Celaya is mourning to-day.
On every side is heard the sound Of
wailing for the loved ones mourning
for those doomed 10 die of suffering
by those whose wounds will not prove
fatal 1t is the saddest tragedy that
has ever occurred in the three centu-
ries of the citys history"