Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1888-10-03
IN THE HANDS OF A MOB,
Rio Grande City Invaded by Armed
Mexicans.
FIGHTING ON THE TEXAS BORDER.
The Trouble Cccasioned by the Killing of
Mexican Editor by United States
Revenue Officer-A Gen.
eraI Massacre
Feared.

AUSTIN, Tex, SEPT. 25.-Tbe most
alarming kilograms continued to pour in
on Gov, Ross, l.nforming him that there
is war, bloody and fierce, now raging on
the Texas frontier and that Rio Grande
City has been for the past "a hours in
possession of an srmed Mexican mob.
All the kilograms thus received have
come either from John P. Kelsey, coun-
ty 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 and that the lives of
American citizens in that section are i'm
imminent danger.
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 E. Cara, editor of El Conn
mercio Mexicano, and United States
Revenue Officer Victor Zebre. In the
fight Zebre shot and killed CARA, who
was very popular all along the Rio
Grande. and as a result the Mexicans
rose in revolt and endeavored to lynch
Zebre. The Texas officials, however.
saved him for the time being from the
fury of the mob and wired GOV, Ross as
follows:
Great riot is raging here Armed men are
parading the streets. Send State Rangers or call
United States troops at Fort Ringold.
This dispatch was followed by another
from B. [. w. Kennedy, member of the
Legislature, as follows:
Send all the available troops you can and ct
once. Armed Mexicans are in control of the ely
and the county.
Last night and all this day similar
messages of conste1 nation keep coming.
the last one reading as follows:
fight hos just taken place between two
Mexicans and one American; one Mexican
killed. The Mexicans now d -mand the Ameri-
can to be deliye,e ed to them. Riot prevented by
placing the American under arrest
Another telegram reads:
Over so armed Mexicans are attempting to
lynch Zebre. Send Rangers at once The riot
still continues.
Rio Grande City is eighty miles from
the nearest railroad station and it is ex-
tremely difficult 70 reach it. Gov. Ross
has. Notwithstanding, ordered the en-
tire ranger force of Texas TO proceed
with all possible haste to the scene of
the battle, as the massacre of Texas cit
liens is feared. The Mexicans number
ten to one Of the white citizens
in that section, and there is no
telling to what excuses they will re-
sort, especially AS they have no diff
Guilty in escaping to Mexico if it suits
them. Gov. Ross has also telegraphed
all the sherifs OF all the counties on the
border or contiguous to it to proceed by
forced marches to the troubled district
and take armed posses along with them.
He has likewise telegraphed the San
Antonio Rifles, the Belknap Rifles and
the famous Houston Light Guard to hold
themselves in readiness to march ut q
moments notice.
1t is believed that there will be a gen.
eral massacre Of Texas citizens unless
the United States troops from Fort
Rlngold come TO the rescue.
The event is likely to lead to interna-
tional complications, and should a mas
sacre occur, swift and wholesale retribu-
ton is certain to follow. Tonight Gov.
Ross says the situation is extremely
grave. and the absence of advices Tor
several hours gives rise to the worst
fears.