The Greenville times., 1888-10-06
TROUBLE ON THE RIO GRASDE.

New York, Sept. 25.-The Austin
CTexas) correspondent of the Herald
telegraphed his paper as follows last
night: All yesterday and to-day the
most alarming kilograms continued to
pour in on Governor Ross, informing
him thatthere is war, bloody and fierce,
now raging on the Texas frontier. and
that Rio Grande City has been for the
past twenty-four hours in possession
of an armed Mexican mob.
All the kilograms thus received have
come either from Jehn 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 impress
sion in plain words that rampant an
archy runs riot on the border and that
the lives of American citizens in that
section are in imminent peril.
This 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. Cara, editor of Ell Com
mercio Mexicano, and United States
Revenue officer Victor Sebree. In the
fight Sebree shot and killed Garza'
who was very popular all along the
Rio Grande, and as result the Mexi-
cans rose in revolt and endeavored to
lynch Sebree. The Texas officials,
however, saved him for the time being
from the fury of the mob and wired
Governor Ross as follows; "Great
riot raging here. Armed men are pa
rading the streets. Send State rangers
or call on United States troops at Fort
Ringold."
This dispatch was followed by an
other from I. W. Kennedy, member Of
the Legislature, as follows:
"Send all the available troops you
can and at once. Armed Mexicans are
in control of the city and the county"
Last night and all this day similar
messages of CONSERVATION kept coming
the last one reading as follows:
"a fight has just taken place be-
tween two Mexicans and one Ameri-
can; one Mexican killed. The Mexi-
cans now demand that the American
be delivered to them. Riot prevented
by placing the American under arrest
Another telegram reads: " Over 150
armed Mexicans are attempting to
lynch Sebree. Send rangers at once.
The riot still continues"
Rio Grande City is eighty miles
from the nearest railroad station and
1t is extremely difficult to reach 1t.
Governor Ross has, Notwithstanding,
ordered the entire ranger force of
Texas to proceed with all possible
haste to the scene of the battle, as the
massacre of Texas citizens is feared.
The Mexicans number ten to one of
the white citizens in that section and
there is no telling TO what excesscs
they will resort, especially as they have
no difficulty in escaping to Mexico If
IL suits them. Governor Ross has also
telegraphed all the sheriffs of all the
counties on the border to proceed by
forced marches to the troubled dist
rict and take armed posses with them.
lie has likewise telegraphed the San
Antonio Rifles, the Belknsp Rifles, and
the famous Houston Light Guards to
hold themselves in readiness to march
at moments notice.
It is believed that there will be a
general massacre of Texas citizens be-
fore midnight unless the United States
troops from Fort Ringold come to
their rescue.
The event is likely to lead to inter-
national complications, and should a
massacre occur swift and wholesale
retribution is sure to follow. Tonight
Governor Ross says the situation is
extremely grave, and the absence Of
advices for several hours gives rise to
the worst of fears.
Austin, Tex, Sept. 30.--The Govern
or has been advised by telegram from
Rio Grande City that Sebree having
been delivered to the local civil author
tiles had been placed in the hands Of
Sheriff Brito, of Cameron county, to
be conveyed to Jail at Brownsville for
safekeeping. This probably ends the
trouble at Rio Grande City, which has
been greatly exaggerated.