The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-12-28

CHICAGO, DEC. Z.-Juau .. Hattj ol
E Paso, Tex, editor of the El Paso
Times, which has been prescribed by the
Mexican authorities because Of news re-
gardng the Chihuahua revolution,
which had appeared in its columns, is
in Chicago, and in an interview with
the Associated Press reporter to-day
gave the causes OF and the developments
thus far in the revolution now in pro-
gress in Chihuahua:
"The number of revolutionists," said
Mr.. Hart, sis small, there not having
been over one hundred and thirty in
the field at any time, but they have
fought fercely and the government
troops so far have suffered to the num-
Der OF 600 soldiers and 80 officers, while
90 Of the revolutionists and "a of their
women and children have so far met
death at the hands OF the soldiers.
"The impression that the revolution
is A continuation OF the border trouble
along tho Rio Grande, which was led
by Garza, is incorrect. The beginning
OF the present outbreak took place
about two years ago in the central part
OF the state. At the little village OF
Tomochic, in the fall of 1891, the viii
layers, who were all Catholics, desired
10 celebrate a certain saints day by
carving the image OF their saint from
the church to the mountains near by,
where u day OF religious festlvity was to
be spent They knew that such an act
was a violation OF the laws OF Mexico.
They went to the town authorities,
who refused the permit. A meet
ing Of the villagers was held,
the president was informed that
the celebration would be held
despite his refusal and the festivities
took place. The president became
alarmed and notified the conductor OF
the monthly bullion train, then en-
route for the mining camps, that the
men Of Tomochic had revolted and
we're likely to rob the train. Officials
Of the city of Guerrero, with an escort
Of soldiers, Immediately set out for
Iomochic. The villagers heard OF the
approach OF the government forces and
the men left for the mountains, leaving
the women and children at home. The
latter barred the doors Of their adobe
houses, but the soldiers fired through
the walls, killing two small children
and an old man, and tho judge
OF letters who was with the
party was charged with outraging
maiden. After q few days in the village
the forces returned to Guerrero and the
Tomochics came back from the noun
tains They buried their dead with
Oaths of vengeance, and thus began the
revolution. What money they had was
invested in winchesters and ammunl-
ton and for months they quietly
awaited revenge. President Diaz alter
a time declared them rebels aud sent
troops on an errand of determination.
Attae arst encounter there were but ~
Tomochics in tho field and the federal
troops numbered over hundred. In
the encounter which followed a SOL
ders and tour officers were killed, while
the villagers escaped without wound.
"Thcn, on September OF last year,
General Rangel, with 600 soldiers, ap.
peared before the little village. In the
engagement one hundred men and nine
officers iell in the federal ranks and but
one TomochiGn Indian was wounded,
llostililies ceased for time. but in No
yembcr Of that year General Hernandez
who is still fighting with tho remnants
Of Tomichians, aided by General Corez
and his Pimi Indians OF Sonoro, tho for
mer commanding over thousand men
and two gatling guns, succeoded in an
engaccmsnt OF ten daya and nights in
nearly discriminating the revolution
lists. The latter had reinforced them:
selves to the number Of l03, and
but twelve or fourteen eascaped on tho
eighth night oil tho light. Tho Others
were killed, but not until they had al
most annihilated one regiment OF the
Mexican infantry and strewn the bedles
Of tho soldiers so thick on the ground
thar no effort was made to bury them.
On the tenth day the victorious soldiers
entered the village and commanded the
women and children, who had locked
Themselves in a church, to surrender,
Upon their refusal the walls were tum-
bIed in upon their heads and ninety
four deienseless villagers died in the
runs. 1t was a massacre in everylsense,
bloody, brutal and objectionable"