The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1888-09-27

AAS NoAAO"ihS AebteIs IeCelVeQ by the
governor yesterday, explains the troubles
and gives the origin of the emeute at Rio
Grande City:
RIO GRANDE CRY, !
September %, 1888.
"On May IA, 1888, w. W. Sheely, sheriff
of this, STARR county, made complaint
before Judge j. @. Russell, judge of the
district court, against Abraham Recendez
charging him with having, some time be-
fore, robbed
MIR. MANUEL GUERRA,
merchant of this county, of $500. Re-
cendez was arrested on May Is, and
while being taken to jail resisted
his guards and was killed by Victor Sebree,
who had been summoned by Mr.. Shelly to
assist one A. billiard, state ranger, de
tailed by the sergeant in command of the
Rangers here to assist Mr.. Shelly. The
killing, though justi6able, created
GREAT ExcITEMVT
among the Mexican population of the
county, and deep feeling of resentment
against the Americans generally, and par
ticularly against Messrs. Sebree, billiard
and Shelly. Some time before that date a
political club was formed here under the
management of and head of Augustine de
la Pena and Silnerio de la Pena, his son,
This club, or faction, had already openly
announced their intention of opposingMr.
Shelly because of his suppose completely
in the lynching of four men some time
before. Two of these four men we're
acknowledged participants in the kidnap-
ping and robbery of 81 500 from one
Juan Garcia Burrera some time ago. Mr..
Shelly had arrested them, and while on his
way to town they were taken from him by
an
ARMED BODY
of men and hung. The other two men
were prisoners in the Jail of Carmego,
Mex, and, when seen on this side, were
hanging in the government reservation.
As to them, 1t is currently reported that
the Mexican officials hung them on the
Mexican side and afterwards trans
ferred them to the United States
reservation. This Pena club took up
all of the killings, laid them at the door of
Sheriff Shelly and made political capital
of them by exciting the Mexicans to
oppose the Americans. Their conduct
has brought on what may we'll be termed
u race war. Among other efforts used to
FIRE THE MINDS
of the Mexican5, the Penas employed one
Catarino E. CARA, the editor of news
paper published in Corpus Christi in
Spanish to write incendiary articles aud
to lecture and speak to the Mexicans.
CARA did this thoroughly and used his
paper especially to make attacks
on Mr.. Sebree, calling him
an assassin, coward, etc., etc., and de-
flying him to meet him. CARA made two
trips here previous to the last one, and
in both cases exerted himself to further the
political schemes of the Penas. Several
days ago he returned here for the avowed
purpose of stamping the county, bringing
with him man named Lopez, as his COM
pan;on, and, as it now seems, to
SHOOT ANYONE
who should attempt to call him to &C
count.
Yesterday evening Mr.. Sebree, accom-
panied by Mr.. L. b. Norris, started to ride
down the river to ranch, three or four
miles distant. CARA and Lopez we're
seated on the main street, and Sebree and
Norris rode by. Sebree alighted from his
horse, handing the reins to Norris, and
walked to where CARA was sitting. He
asked CARA If he
WANTED TO FIGHT,
making no attempt to use his pistol nor
threatening to do so. Hardly had he
spoken to CARA when Lopez, standing
a few feet from him, opened
fire on Sebree with pistol.
CARA made no reply beyond drawing
pistol and firing at Sebree. After Lo-
PEE fred Sebree drew his pistol and he
aud CARA fred about tho same time. Lo-
PEI and CARA continued to fire on Sebree
and he returned their fire. They did not
wound him but he (Sebree) shot CARA in
the abdomen
MoRTALLY woUEDING
him, and Lopez in the leg inhicting q
flesh wound. This fresh shooting caused
intense excitement. A mob at once
formed, armed themselves and, about one
hundred strong, openly announced their
intention of
LYNCHING sEBRKE,
And started for his room with that object.
Meantime, however, he and Mr.. billiard
had taken refuge in Camp Ringgold. This
mob paraded the streets all night, and was
increased from the country, threatening
vengeance and demanding that the sheriff,
county judge and justice of the peace de-
liver Sebree to them. This, of course,
was refused, as does the commanding Off
Ger OF Fort Ringgold, and the mob is
virtually in possession of the town now.
They have cut the
GOVERNMENT TELEGRAPH
line. The civil authorities cannot control
the mob, though the sheriff is doing what
he can, assisted by the few Americans
here and a portion Of the respectable
Mexicans. The mob is composed entirely
of Mexicans.
YOUR UNCLE SAMUEL.
Last night the governor received the
following which explains itself:
SAN ANTONIO, Tex,
September %, 1888.
Gov. L. 8. Ross, Austin:
1 send you the following correspond
ence with reference to Rio Grsnde City:
SAN AsTosIo, Tex,