The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-10-28
BODIES IN THE STREETS.
The Total Destruction of Whole
Town in Mexico. -
SURROUNDED ON ALL SIDES.
Fanaticism and Taxes the Cause Of the
Massacre-A Tremendous sea I'm the
English Channel-The Revolt i'm an
Argentine state--Foreign News.

Ell PAso, Tex, Oct. 2s.-News ha,
reached here of the total destruction OF
awhole town and it's people in western
Chihuahua, Mexico. Previous dispatches
have told the story of the religious
fanaticism that has prevailed In the
town OF Tomocnie, situated In the
mountains about 800 miles west of the
city OF chihuahua. Federal troops have
been sent out there twice TO compel SUBJ
mission TO the authorities, but each time
the troops have been worsted. The third
time a full regiment was sent out under
what was considered competent officer
and accompanied by battery OF two
Gatling guns. The res ult OF the battle
which was fought last Saturday was the
total annihila alton OF the rebels and the
killing of more than 300 Federal soldiers.
Such is the report that comes here, but
experience proves that much of the news
from the interior OF the republic is
greatly exaggerated.
Tomocnie Is situated on the direct
road TO Guerrero and Jesus Maria, in the
mountains OF southeastern Chihuahua,
and has been in open rebellion against
the state and federal governments for
u
taxation, extortion by government OFF,
cials, and government interference in
their religious belief.
Two months ago the government sent
the One Hundred and Tenth Battalion,
In command OF General Banjel, to make
the people pay the tax required OF them
and accept government officials appointed
10 take charge, or TO kill every one OF
them. This alternative was openly
boasted OF by officers in Chih uakua be-
fore the troops started for the town, and
when the Tomocniens heard O. il they
decided TO fight il out, as they knew that
even should they receive the soldiers
peaceably they would be shot on the
slightest provocation. When the SOL
diers made their descent on the village
they were met and driven of, with %
officers and IA men killed and two officers
and 40 men taken prisoners. The prison.
ers were confined on top OF the Adobe
church. Gen. Banjel was the only officer
who escaped.
When the news OF this affair reached
the cars of President Daz he decided TO
annihilate the village, and when the peo-
pie were notified they answered, "God is
with US, and we will not be taken."
boldiers left chihuahua two weeks ago
aud formed junction with others from
Pinos Altos and Guerrero TO the number
OF 1900, and last Monday an attack was
made on all sides. The Tomocniens took
refuge In the church and awaited the at
tack that TOOK place at about 10 O'clock.
The attack was made on all sides, and the
slaughter was terrible. At dusk the
soldiers gained an entrance to the
church, and n terrible hand to- hand |
fight took place, aud the soldiers com |
pleted the massacre with 1858 OF their |
mum bar killed and many wounded.
The village the next day presented q |
terrible appearance. The streets of the
little village leading to the church were
filled with bodies, and blood seemed TO
have flowed in torrents. Not a man OF |
the Tomocniens was left except those |
who happened to be out In the noun
tains.