New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-06-04
Lone Band of One Hundred
FederaIS Makes Last Stand
on Cathedral Roof in
Matam0raS. Mex.
SEVERAL HUNDRED SLAIN
Sixty Killed by Touching Fence
Charged with Electricity
Showers of Shots
Fly Into Browns
vile, Tex.

Brownsville. Ten. June 3-While a
handful Of men was still Offering OBJ
stirate resistance TO the rebel troops
of General Luclo Blanco, Constitu-
,iora-ist commander in chief Of the
state Of Tamaulipas at 10 o'clock to-
nigh. the city Of Matamoras. Mexico.
across the line from Brownsville, is
practically in the hands Of the revolu-
uorisis after hattie wased without
interruption since 1880 O'Clock this
morning.
Colonel Eschasereta. with one hun
6red volunteers. remnants Of the fed
e-al garrison. was making the last
stand late tonight from the roof Of the
cathedral and theatre in Hidala Plaza.
tn, their subjection before morning is
regarded as certain.
Early in the night flames in several
sections OF the battle SCARED city
lighted the sky for miles. and for
time IL was feared that Matamoras was
doomed. Later the IRE zones decreased.
Many Dead on Both Sides.
The toll Of death has been heavy on
both sides. Major Estaban Ramos.
federal commander. was wounded early
in the engagement. lie was brought
10 d Brownsville hospital where his
condition was reported critical Pri-
yata Davis. Of the United States Cav
airy. was wounded by a stray shot
while patrolins the border on the
American side of the Rio Grande. and
rumors are persistent that Miguel Bar
ragan. Mayor Of Natamoras. was sho;
and killed late to-day. This could not
b. confirmed.
Authentic estimates Of the dead and
wounded will not be available before
tomorrow. one report brought by
fugitive was that between TWO and
three hundred Of the combatants had
been killed and double that number
wounded.
shortly after 10 o'clock tonight there
was less firing. but the rebels continued
10 hurl dynamite at irervals. in an at
tempt TO dislodee the Eschaserta force
The rebels began a general advance
toward the main part OF Matamoras at
$50 this afternoon. Within an hour
they had taken the customs Office al the
terminus Of the international bridge
and almost simultaneously tho customs
house al the ferry connecting Browns
vile and Santa Cruz. a suburb Of Mata-
moras. After that the fight was gradu-
sIIr narrowed 20 Hidala Plaza.
Shells Fire Houses.
Among the buildings set ahre by
rebel shells and destroyed were twelve
dwelling houses on the Plaza de Ara
mas including the home Of Mayor Bar
ragsn.
II was estimated that Blanco's army
comprised about 500 men, while the
federal garrison was less than thru
of that number
Several thousand spectators viewed
The battle from the United states side
o. the RIO Grande. but were kept at
what was regarded as safe distance
from the boundary by the soldiers or
Troop VI. 18th Cavalry. who patrolled
the border for six miles. An automo-
bile bearing party Of sightseers was
struck by a bullet and put out Of com
mission. but none Of the occupants
Was hurt.
The United States Consulate, where
Consul !. II. johnson and his staff re-
mained during the fighting. was in the
direct line Of fire the greater part Of
Continued on ffth page. second column.