South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-04-27
Refugees Tell Horrible
Stories Pillage And
Murder By Mexicans
Officials at GAL
weston SWamped BY Influx
of 1854 Persons Fleeing
From War Zone.

GALVESTON, Tex. April 27.-The
United States immigration officials
here have been swamped by the in
hux of refugees from Mexico. Up to
this forenoon 1854 persons had ar
rived and 1000 more are expected
within the next "a hours.
Among the men and women, many
Of whom are on the verge Of collapse
from privations and narrow escapes
from death, many were penniless,
leaving everything behind in their
flight.
Most of the refugees came from
Mexico City. Vera Cruz and Tampicc.
city were bitter in their criticism of
the action OF the United States war
ships at that port
While Americans were being threat
ened and insulted by mObs and their
property looted and destroyed, the
United States warships, carrying
enough guns TO blow Tampico to at
oms, withdrew several miles to sea.
Marines were landed from the Ger
man cruiser Dresden and the Ameri-
cans were protected and later carried
out 10 the refugee ships by the Ger
man sailors. The first thing the Tam
pico refugees did upon their arrival
here was 20 send a cablegram of
thanks TO the German emperor prais-
ing the work of Captain Won KOehler.
Of the Dresden.
Exiles Tell Thrilling Stories.
Thrilling stories were told by some
OF the eXiles. Howard j. Wells. own
er of a ranch outside Of Tampico, told
how "A band OF prOwling MeXicans had
killed his Mexican ranch manager and
looted the place.
Two days before Vera Cruz was
taken three MeHcans drove up 10 the
ranch house and demanded money,
food and clothing" said Mr.. Wells.
The Mexican manager was the only
man on the place except myself. The
Mexicans threatened TO Kill me if
did not furnish them with strong
drink. After they pillaged the place
and seized all the livestock they want
ed they tied up the manager and
prOdded him with bayOnets until he
fell unconscious. Then they shot him
twice and rode away The Mexican
died q short time later"
Among the women was Mrs. NJ. @.
Martin. whose husband conducted a
store near TampicO.
Just after the capture OF Vera
Cruz. my husband left TO go into Tam
piCO Tor several days and / did not see
him any more" said Mrs. Martin. Il
don't krOW whether he is dead or not
Just after my husband left a party
Df Mexicans broke into the store.
seized all the goods they could carry
away and the life savings of my hus-
band and myself. They thought we
ought 10 have had more money and
they threatened 10 torture my five
year-old daughter TO death if I did
n nF
hidden treasure. They built fire and
showed the little girls feet into it, but
| they aid not carry out their hideOus
design"
Fire on Refugee ship.
Refugees told of Mexican federalS
firing upon the refugee ship Esperan-
"a as il drew away from the wharf
went through both legs of ]. d. Saun-
ders. lie is in a hospital here in a
| serious condition.
r. L. BrittOu owned a moving pic
ture theater at Panuco. The Mexi-
cans attacked the place, smashed the
machines and burned the building
threatening to kill BrittOn IL he did
not furnisi- them with money.
Il was glad 10 get away with my
| life" said BrittOn. "A number OF
Americans remained behind. but 1 dc
not think they will ever get out OF
Mexico alive. The entire country is
filled with small parties of bandits
who claim TO be either federals OF
constitutionalists. but who live by loot
They are dangerous men and do not
hesitate to Kill anyone who crosses
them. There is no law nor order in
the country and IL is a case of every
man for himself. The rifle and the re-
volver are the only means OF argu-
ment"
Calls situation Horrible.
l. Z. Chidsey. an employe OF the
Texas oil Co. at TampiCo. described
the situation there as horrible.
For weeks we momentarily feared
an anti-American outbreak" said he
Just at the time the Americans seiz-
ed Vera Cruz, the American war ships
which were in the Tampico harboT
steamed out 10 sea, With the evident
intention or allaying excitement there
That only served 10 increase the inso-
lcnCe OF the MeXicans. Drunken mObs
surged through the streets reviling the
Americans and threatening them
Several OF the hotels we're looted.
Rocks were hurled through the
windows OF the Imperial and Southern
hotels where Americans had taken re-
fuge."
FRANCIS JOSEPH WEAK