St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1912-08-17
SET FIRE TO TRAIN
Twenty Passenge RS an d
Thirty-six Soldiers a r e
Butchered.

miles southeast of Mexico City, wher
a passenger train southbound from
the city was attacked from ambush
Meager. details which did not reacf
lthich city until this afternoon. In
ld;cate that the savagery displayed
/! was not less, and perhaps greater
than that which characterized the
massacre of troops and passenger
or train between Cuernavaca ant
Mexico City on July 20. So far al
known tonight only part OF the
| tran crew escaped.
Set Fire to Train.
The first story of the assault waf
sent to Mexico City by Conductor
Marin and Collector Dominguez, who
although wounded, had managed tc
make their way to Yautepec, twelve
miles away. They were forced to
steal through the Zapatista lines,
and did not arrive at the telegraph
station until this afternoon.
After the firing ceased the rebels
sw: rmed down the hillside and set
fire to the three cars composing the
train. A few of the wounded had
crawled out on the right of way, thus
escaping the fate of those unable to
leave the cars.
They were burned.
Fingers Chopped OF.
According to reports received the
leader of the rebels made absolutely
no effort to restrain his men from
acts of brutality greater than any
that has yet marked the campaign
in the South. The wounded, plead
ing for their lives, were struck down
without pity, and even looting was
held in allegiance until the slaughter
was complete.
Not satisfied with robbing their
victims in ordinary manner, the fng-
ers of men and women were chopped
OF with machetes in order that rings
they wore might be easily taken.
Ornaments were torn from the ears
of the women and their bodies were
also mutilated.
Two Scribes Killed.
Among the passengers were two
men, who were among the
killed. They were on their way to
Emiliano Zapata, the chief
of the rebels. One of these, H. L.
Strauss, a native of Uruguay, and
consular agent OF his country in this
city was employed at one time on
the New York Herald He was max
ing his trip into Zapata territory as
q representative of Ell impartial.
The ether correspondent was Ignacio
fIerraras, OF Ell Pals.
The Inflated train left Mexico City
Yesterday morning. For the most
part the passengers belonged to the
farming eiehent and lower classes.
The soldiers, who had been detailed:
10 act as guard, were from the
Eleventh battalion commanded by
Lieutenant Reynoza.
by costly experience the trooCs
were on the alert from the time they
left the rational capital, but not the
least hostility had been encountered
until the train ran into the canyon.
Passengers Give Fight.
Here the rail had been loosened,
and as the locomotive left the track
h vollcy Of rifle shots were poured
into the train with deadly effect. 1t
was tentered on the coach in which
most Of the soldiers were riding, but
soon became general, the rebels APP
parently not caring whether they dis
insuished passengers from federal
soldiers.
Lieutenant Reynoza's order to re-
ply to the fire was carried out by the
entrapreds soldiers, notwithstanding
The advantage which the hillsides
gave The attackers.
Ilucl lily every man of the guard
fought until silenced. A few of the
passengers. selling guns from the
allen soldiers, assisted in the de-
'ense. but the unequal battle lasted
'Eiy a short time.
Acting upon information brought
, them by the fugitive members of
ne train crew, the authorities of
fuatepec notified those at Cuautla,
Vno prepared to send a punitive ex-
'eoltlon from there. This was not
80 under way until late today. An
liner train was sent from the north
oward the scene of the massacre to
ecover the bodies and give aid to
my wounded who might be found.
Officer Dies a Hero.
+ The wounded members of the train
rev who were brought here late
onlght confirmed the earlier reports
II the massacre. The Zapatistas
VINO numbered about three hundred
we're commanded by Amador Sala-
Jar, they declare.
Inc lighting lasted about an hour.
\ dramatic incident marked it's close
every soldier of Lieutenant Revno-
as command were down when Rev
loza, who had escaped serious in
ury, jumped from the car and "a.
tra1ght toward the advancing rebels.
lrlng with his pistol. He fell wound
"a, but continued his fire until his
'ody was liddled with bullets.
strauss, the correspondent of I'll
was struck in the fac.,
Win iistol and then shot down nv
4nother Zapatista, who shouted thai
re was only a worthless newspanar
nan 0 " 'p"psr
Gerald Brandon, of Ell Diario had
ntenoed to accompany Herrerias
no Strauss, but went out on another
rain. y" t'"o'ner
According to the train men nor
1ore than ten or eleven of the thirty.
Wo passengers escaped into the s..s..
ounding hills. >>-
YOUR RAILROAD FARE RREr.
Gut this out and presena it. within
a1ty days at Draughonnsy Practical