Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1913-02-26
BANDIT ATTACK ON TULA
ACCOUNT OF RECENT EXPERT.
ENCE OF TAMAULIPAS TOWN.

A story of an attack by bandits on the
city of lula. a Mexican town of 10000
population, situated above Victoria. in
Monday by Rev. w. A. Ross, pastor of
the Mexican Presbyterian church of this
city. The story was written by Rev.
Jas. o. Shelby. Mr. Shelby and his wife
are the only Americans residing in Tula,
and the only ones in a radius of 30 miles.
The city is two days removed from any
railroad, and so far as the outside world
is concerned, is very much isolated. The
attack OH the city was made on Feb. Is,
and has been recOunted in American
newspapers.
Rev. Mr.. Shelby's story follows:
Saturday morning, February 10Th,
was one of those commonly clear but
beautiful crisp frosty morning. 1t was
nearly Z o'clock when a woman came
running down Gale Real Main street.
saying that on the hills around could be
seen growing groups of people. She vas
told to carry the news Immediately to
the barracks. SO that on very short no
tice the fifty soldiers who guarded the
town, most of whom are Mexican yOlun-
teers from Texas. were distributed at
the principal entrances to the city. The
entrance of the bandits could not be pro
hibited as they had planned to enter the
town from all sides at The same time.
However not a few fell at the entrances.
Possibly as many as 400 effected an en-
tranc the most without arms. Some i'm,
mediately turned out all the prisoners.
Others went TO the Catholic church and
sounded the bells as a signal no doubt
to the hundreds of unarmed men out
side ready to take a part at least in The
burning and rObbing. Others went to
the barrack to put an end to the soldiers.
The soldiers began to come together and
succeeded in shooting the bell ringers
out of the tower and thus Silenced the
bells. 1t is said only seven soldiers did
this besides run as many as thirty away
from the church. Some were left dead
while no doubt many more were wound
ed as blood stained street and walls of
the church indicated.
To destroy the barracks no doubt re
quired the bravest. so among those was
EZegiua Eguia. the leader. who has made
life in these isolated towns so insecure
since he was turned out Of jail two years
ago, where he was serving a twenty year
sentence for murder. by a similar attack
of bandits under the pretext of fighting
for MaderO. His dynamite fell short of
the barracks. however. as he having dis
mounted had to hide behind the corner
of a street. While thus discharging his
Mauser at the soldiers on the rOOf Of the
barracks he himself was killed and also
his assistant. The fall of their leader
disheartened the hundreds of followers
so that they were thrown into confusion
and put to flight. Within less han two
hours they were run out of the city. but
the fifty killed were left lying where they
fell until dusk. The soldiers were kept
busy all day looking for hidden bandits
in the city. Some were found in the bell
tower. only one Of which effected his
escape.
Along all the principal roads the
wounded and disappointed slowly wend-
ed their way as the troops were not num-
erous enough to lease the town and pur-
sue them.
Our hearts 90 out to God for His great
mercy in saving the town from the fury
Of any angry mob who instigated by
vengeance declared they would raise a
monument with the inscription: "Here
once was lula"