Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1892-10-03

GRAINS OF CORN.
Only a Few Grains Would Keep
From Starvation
BUT THE RICH SPECULATORS
Preyed Upon Their Necessities and They
We're Starving.
Then tho Famine Riot Came and the Corn Was
Taken by Force From the Stores Of
b., Their Rich 0Ppressors-hews
. 1,N9,, From Morelia.
BUT The RICH SPECULATORS

y 'a
So NToNIo, TEX, Oct. 2.--[Spe-
cial. l--Homer Finley, formerly resi-
dent of San Antonio, but who for the
past six years has been engaged in the
mercantile business in the City Of
Morella, Mexico, arrived here to-day.
He was met by reporter, and in re-
sponse to an inquiry gave vivid ac-
count of
THE FAMINE RIOT
which occurred In Morelia last Sunday,
and OF which but brief mention was
made in the City OF Mexico dispatches.
He stated that 1t was one of the most
exciting and pitiable scenes ever wit
messed in that part OF the republic, and
that il the wants of the suffering peo-
pie are not kept supplied another out
break OF the same kind is TO be feared.
Morelia is the capital of the state
OF MichcOcan and the residence Of the
arch bishop Of the diocese. II is about
$50 miles from the City of Mexico on
the line Of the Mexican National rail-
road. II is one OF the most beautiful
cities in Southern Mexico, and a favor
lite point for tourists TO visit.
There are several thousand poor peo-
pie in Morelia, as there are in the
other large cities of Mexico, as well as
in the United States" Said Mr.. Fin
ley, their exclusive food supply is
corn and owing to the failure OF that
crop in that part OF the republic, there
is naturally great scarcity OF the prod
uct and the poor people have
for some time past been on the
verge OF starvation. When the famine
was threatened several months ago q
number of the wealthy merchants con-
tracted for large quantities of corn in
the United States, the total shipments
amounting to about seventy-tive thou
sand bushels, which is enough 20 sup
ply the suffering people, but these spec
ulators put up the prices and what
little money the poor people has was
soon eXtorted from them.
For the past two months the suffer-
ing among the poor has been intense,
and IL is claimed that there have been
deaths from actual starvation. The
streets became thronged with beggars,
and the hungry mon, women and chill
dren made heart-rending appeals for
help.
"This was kept up until last Sun
day night, when the starving band
organized themselves into mob and
driven TO desperation, began Is con-
certed attack upon the feed stores OF
the city. There were fully 5000 peo-
pie in the mob and the police were ut
terly powerless to stop its progress.
Ono maiceria, or feed store, after
another was entered and as but little
corn was found the frenzy Of
THE MOB INCREASED.
1.-THE two regiments of cavalry and
one OF infantry stationed at Morelia
were called out TO quell the riot, but
their appearance only added to the des-
peration OF the lawless people. The
commander planted the soldiers in
front Of the mob, but they fought their
way through. General Mercado,
the governor OF the state, by this time
had made his appearance, but
was compelled TO retire, as he could do
nothing 70 quiet the disturbance. The
soldiers fired upon the mob, and it is
said that one man was killed and 9TH
ers wounded. Acting upon command
of its leader the mob started for the
granaries Of Jose Martinez, one OF the
rich spectators, in which 5000 bushels
OF corn We're stored. They reached the
hacienda and
BROKE DOWN THE DOORS
Of the store houses, every man, woman
and child took all the grain they could
carry away. As their temporary wants
had been supplied they quietly dis
persed. / left Mprelia on Monday and
l understand that the government has
since taken steps 10 relieve the suffer
ings of the poor people OF the city,
Mr. Finley concluded that President
Diaz and the Federal authorities have
been doing all in their power to furnish
the needy in various parts of the re
public with good supplies at low prices.
and the trouble at Morelia was brought
about solely by the ayariciousness of !
spectators.