The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-08-13
MANY ARE KILLED
IN REBEL ATTACK
Passenger Train Fired on
From Ambush
ONLY A FEW ESCAPE
Acts of Savagery Are Displayed by
Rebels Who Mutilate Bodies of
the Dead--Sixty Are
Reported Killed
ONLY A FEW ESCAPE

Mexico City. August 12.-Thirty-six
soldiers and more than 20 passengers
were slaughtered by zapatistas yes
terday afternoon in a canyon one kilo-
meter north of Tituminan. 10 miles
southeast OF Mexico City when a pas
senger train southbound from this city
was attacked from ambush. Meager de-
tails, which did not reach the city un-
til this afternoon. indicate that the
savagery displayed was not less, and
perhaps crater, than that which char
acterized the massacre of troops and
passengers on a train between Cuer-
far as known tonight only a part of
the train crew escaped.
The first story of the assault was
sent to Mexico City by Conductor Ma
rim and collector Dominguez, who, al
though wounded. had managed 10 make
their way to Yautepec. II miles away.
They were forced to steal through the
Zapatistas lines and did not arrive at
the telegraph station until this after
noon.
After the firing ceased the rebels
swarmed down the hillside and set fire to
the three cars composing the train A
few OF the wounded had cfawled ont on
TO the right OF way, thus escaping the
fate of those unable to leave the cars
They were burned. According to reports
received. the leader Of the rebels made
absolutely no effort tn restrain his men
from acts of brutality greater than any
that has yet marked the campaign in
the south The wounded. pleading for
their lives, were struck doon without
pity, and even looting was held in obey
ance until the slaughter was complete.
Savagery Displayed
Not satisfied with robbing their victims
in ordinary manner, the fingers of mon
and women were chopped off in order that
the rings they wore might be more
Ornaments were torn frorl the ears
of the women and their bodies were also
mutlated by their brntalities.
Two newspaper men were killed.
Thev were on their way from Mexico
City to the Zapatistas' territory.
The ill-fated train left Mexico City
Yesterday morning about seven o'clock
The rails had been loosened. and the
track had been torn up for some dis
lance on arriving in the canyon, the
constant fire from the rebels rifles be-
gan The aim was centered on the
second coach, where most OF the pas
sengers We're riding. Lieutenant Rey-
nO9a DFNef TO reply 70 tut filfe WAS
carried out by the sntrapped soldiers.
Notwithstanding the hillside gave the
attackers the advantage. They fought
until silenced by death. from the effects
of the rebels rifles.
The battle lasted only a short time
as the rebels were twenty score the
strongest and with the advantages over
the troops in the train, they soon over
powered them.
Trains were sent from Mexico City 10
give aid TO the wounded, and TO re-
cover the bodies of the dead
Wounded Tell Story
! The wounded members Of the train crew
who were brought here late tonight cor :
firmed the earlier reports OF the rnassa-
ere. The Zapatistas, who numbered about
500. were commanded by Amador Sa1a-
zar. they declare.
/ The fighting lasted about one hour. a
dramatic incident marked it's close. Every
soldier of Lieutenant Reynozofs com
nand was down when Reynozo, who
had escaped serious injury. jumped from
the car and ran straight toward the adj
| yancing rebels. firing with his pistol.
He fell wounded but continued his fre