The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1913-02-20

children, none o. whom had been
warned or given the slightest chance
to escape from the shell-swept arena,
Practically everyone in the city
was exposed to the chance of being
killed or wounded, even when in their
houses. This was testified to by the
deaths Of Mrs. Holmes and Mrs. Crit
fiths, the two Americans who were
killed by shells in their own homes.
This was only one instance.
Hundreds of non-combatants were
killed under similar circumstances by
the bullets that flew far and wide
from the shrapnel shells bursting
over the city. These shells exploded
over the most populous section Of the
city, scattering their leaden missiles
IN death dealing hail. Other shells
crashed into the walls of high build
ings, entered the windows of clubs,
hotels, banks and stores, wrecking
buildings or rooms by the dozen and
killing or wounding hundreds OF inno-
cent victims.
Day after day and often for hours
at night the same frightful conditions
prevailed. Added to the thunder of
the larger cannon came the almost
incessant rattle OF the machine guns
and the whining song Of rifle bullets.
In many streets the bodies of the
dead OF wounded lay throughout the
day to be removed only when dark
ness brought partial protection to the
of the Red and White Cross speeded
through the streets picking up what
wounded they could, but even their
errand of mercy was not respected
and many OF the machines were fired
upon and their occupants struck by
bullets.
Until Sunday morning at two
O'Clock, when supposed "a hour ar
mistice was declared, the stricken
city knew hardly a moments peace.
On Sunday people ventured timor
ously out of doors hardly believing
the news of a temporary cessation
of hostilities. AS the early morning
hours passed, and the sound of the
church bells, drowned for days by
the thunder Of the bombardment
once more rang through the city, tbs
people flocked to the main streets
and the city took on new life.
The Mexican people, quick to forget
and ever ready for a fiesta assumed
almost a holiday spirit. Assured Of
at least days peace. they prone
naded the streets or gathered by the
thousands within the actual zone o.
the weeks fighting and watched curl
ously the preparations of the sol
diery for a renewal of the conflict.
Suddenly at 2 o'clock In the after
noon. and with as little warning az
the opening massacre of the Sunday
before, the rattle OF small arms
quickly followed by the Shrek o.
shells, broke the almost Sabbath-like
stiffness OF the day.
Caught unawares by the action o.
Madero and his forces in breaking, the
armistice without warning. hundreds
of noncombatants we're shot down II
their fight.
The Maderistas had taken advant
= age OF the armistice to improve theil
- position and had fired upon the Dia;
. forces under the pretext that 1t wa,
Tue reoels that had broken faith The
:, Dattle ragged fiercely all day and fa1
- ,,.o the night. 1t was resumed OF
u Mohoag and again on Tuesday morn
a. ing men came the terrific tiding,
- llde the federalists We're preparing t,
= use mortars TO hurl dynamite shell,
a. q. upon the citadel. The tortured nom
OF lace was trembling in the exnacta ttu
2, OF the complete ruin of the civ \,
lhose dynamite proiectiles when tn,