Arizona weekly citizen., 1896-08-22
THE NOGALES RIOT.
The Facts Concerning the Trouble as
Told by an Eye Witness.

The Facts Concerning the Trouble as
Told by an Eye Witness.
Mr.. Chas. Hoff, who kindly furnish
ed the CITIZEN the kilograms from No
gales during the recent trouble in that
town, returned to the city last evening
and was interviewed by CITIZEN rep
resentatlve this morning. MIR. Hof said
that the meeting of the revolutioDists
in Nogales was in pursuance of an agree
ment which had been entered into some
time before. The 11th of August was
the day agreed upon, and upon that day
q motley band united for the work OF
destruction. The crowd was composed
of Yaquis and Mexicans, each OF whom
wore q white handkerchief around his
hat. For some days previous to the
agreed date of meeting, members OF the
revolutionists who had been notified,
were arriving in Nogsles. Three sec
tion hands Of the N. M. & A. quit the
road, not even stopping for their pay.
Three men who had been employed onthe
ranch of Vicente Lavorin, near this city,
and numerous others from different
places, oased work, and it is almost pos
sitively known that they joined in the
murderous revolt.
Before daylight this gang, compris-
ing from sixty to seventy-ive OF the
fanatics, made their way to the custom
house on the Mexican side, killed three
of the guards, battered down the doors
and took possession. Once inside they
secured a number of good rifles, which
they appropriated, and put to immedi-
ate use. The shooting. consequent upon
the killing of the guards. aroused the
town and in the shortest possible time
everything was in state Of excitement.
The Mexican consul, Mascarenas, came
to The American side and solicited help
and arms. In twinkliDg about seven
ty y-tive American boys, Mr. Hoff among
the number, went to the militia armory
and secured as many rifles and
az much ammunition as they
could, and others obtained Win
ohesters and went across the line.
Tnev entrenched themselves behind the
slight grade OF the railroad track, im-
mediately in front OK the custom house,
and opened fire upon the revolusionlsts.
They discovered that the rioters had
one horse, which they evidently intend
ed for courier use, but they were given
no opportunity to press him into serves.
One adventurous fellow came out along
a spur track, from the custom house,
intending to reach position where be
would have the Americans in line, and
could get "pot shot" at the crowd, but
he drew tire TO himself which eoon
caused him to beat q retreat. Shortly
afterward three more attempted the
same course, and a murderous dis
charge OF rifles in their direction result
ed in death to one of their mum Der, and
caused q stampede of the other two te
safer quarters. Fearing the conse-
ouences CT further side plays of this ma.
| ture they occupied their time in trying
to maintain their position in the Gus
tom house. The annoying fire con.
stantly kept up by the forces behind the
track soon resulted in dislodging the
rioters and they started upon retres,
| to the mountains. After the smoke oi
battle had cleared away five revolution
lists and three of the defensive party
were found dead. In the pocket OF one
OF the rioters, Mr.. Hof found q paper
freshly inscribed in the Spanish Ian
guage, which was evidently message
1t was unaddreseed but called for rein
forcements. No opportunity had occur
red to transmit the message.
| During the retreat from the custom
house into the hills few OF the revolu
tionists sought to hide themselves II
the outskirts of the town. Two wer
found in an old adobe house and
surrender demanded. One OF the me-
surrendered without word. In
other, who had Winchester rifle pre-
fsrred death to surrender and his pre-
ference was ct once Grati6sd.