Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1914-04-23

The coming OF the American forces
was not heralded by any great excite
ment, but small crowds gathered to
watch the landing. Soon the blue
Jackets and marines marches through
the streets leading from the water
front and along the railroad yards.
Others proceeded to the American con-
sulate, while still others were deployed
along the approaches to Central plaza,
in which General Mas had concen
trated his men.
Mexicans Fire First.
These maneuvers were effected with
out opposition, but suddenly General
Mas challenged the advance with the
first shots-a volley fire from point
three blocks from the marines and two
blocks south of the main plaza.
The marines replied Immediately. but
the action ceased in a moment. There
was lull for 10 minutes and then an
other brief exchange from the west end
of Montesinos street, where federal
outpost was stationed.
At 1890 the firing became general
and at ! o'clock the guns of the trans
port Prairie went into action.
Prior to this a detachment of blue
Jackets from the Utah. holding the
ground between the consulate and the
their three-inch guns. The first shots
from these pieces We're directed against
an ancient tower which once served as
q lighthouse This was occupied by
Mexican sharp shooters
Lieutenant Commander Buchanan. of
the Florida, ordered that it be destroyed.
Five shots brought the old Benito
JuareZ tower down.
The women of the American colony
in Vera Cruz had already been placed
aboard the chartered steamers Fsper-
anza and Mexico. but the foreign col
ony, especially the American section.
was greatly augmented this morning
when three train loads arrived from the
capital. Some of these remained
ashore but many We're taken aboard
the steamers. So far as can be learned
none of the refugees was injured.
Other BUILDINGS Occupied.
The postoffice, government telegraph
office and the cable office We're the
first buildings occupied after the GUS
tom house. A squad of marines was
placed in charge of the cable office.
The telegraph wires We're found intact,
and enough Mexican operators were re-
tained to man the lines to Mexico City.
After General Mas had been driven
frc1h his position in Central plaza. the
Americans found themselves the object
of fusillades from the tops of houses,
where small groups of soldiers and
citizens had taken up positions. 1t was
learned only tonight that the greater
part Of those engaged in this resistance
were civilians who refused to accept the
American occupation passively. They
obtained guns and stationed themselves
at points of vantage and did much to
prolong the action.
Lieut.. Col. Wendell c. Neville com
manded the marines from the Prairie
and Majors Reed and Berkeley and
Captains Hughes, Hill and Dyer along
mrs ic hainf
taken to prevent a Mexican attack and
the lines have been reinforced by de-
tachment which was originally in po-
sition beyond the terminal works
Towards the middle Of the afternoon
a large body of Mexicans evacuated
their position and took refuge some
where in the sand hills back in the in
terror, where it is reported from Mex
lean sources they are expecting to be
Joined by reinforcements from the cap
ftal.
Prairie Opens Fire.
This withdraway, however. was not
entirely premeditated Those watch
ing on the ships observed through their
glasses large force of Mexjcans NOV
ing over the hills in the western out
skirts of the city, apparently with the
intention of thanking a battalion of
marines in the railway yards and along
Montesinos street, which runs east and
west not far from the American con-
sulate. Instantly the five-inch guns of
the Prairie let go. breaking the Mexi-
can formation and causing a hasty re-
treat. This ended the thanking move
ment.
Only few minutes before the three