Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1914-05-01
STORY OF The CAPTURE Of VERA ChuL
Description of Battle That Resulted in Capture Of
First Mexican Port.

reaching them through a 16-foot stone
wall
Captain Stickney of the Prairie went
through the fortress several days ago
and found some heavy guns, five tor
pedoes and a torpedo tube in a CORFU
gated-iron shed outside the wall of
the fortress. When the landing of the
Americans was ordered Captain Stick
pey sent word to the commandant of
San Juan de Ulua that he would blow
him to pieces with the Prairie's guns
if he opened fire against the Ameri-
cans, but that otherwise he would moi
be disturbed. The commandant re,
piled that he would answer with his
cannons if fired on, but that he would
not commence hostilities. When the
engagement ashore began the COM
mandant hoisted brilliant new Mex
lean flag, which few ell day long.
Americans ia Possession.
AT ten o'clock Wednesday morning
the Americans were in undisputed
possession of all the city except the
southwest quarter, in which the bar
racks are situated, and few outlying
districts. At noon they had taken the
barracks. When the city prison,
which faces the main plaza of the
city, was captured, Lieutenant Com
mander Buchanan of the Florida made
an inspection tour through it.
There was great surprise among the
| Mnvfnone ,ha 1ol fhnro fho
the prisoners we're not released. They
| had been accustomed to seeing the
victor always release prisoners and
| then impress them into his army.
Chief of Police Antonio Villa Vicen
clio was taken prisoner by the Ameri
cans shortly after they had occupied
the main plaza of the city. 1t was
suggested to him that he continue in
his official capacity to direct the city's
| protective system. He took the mat
ter under advisement.
Had the frightened mayor made W
his mind to accede to Admiral Fletch
er's suggestion, which was made
through Consul Canada, the Mexican.
might have been spared the humilia
ton of being forced from their posi-
tions, and undoubtedly number o
lives would not have been Sacrificed
Coincident with the orders for 'th'
general advance of the Americans, al
aged white-haired Mexican, carrying
the white flag of truce, came down ;
street from the center of the city. H
carried a letter to the chief of police
the only authority he hoped to reach
and desired Consul Canada to read il
Old Man Makes Appeal.
1t was an urgent appeal to the chic
of police to call off the snipers, an,
prevent the bombardment he believes
would follow if they continued thei
execution. Even before the messenge
had climbed the stairs into the con
sul's office, Captain Rush was in
formed of the contents of the note b
bore and Immediately sounded "Ceas
firing" and Halt"
! But it was too late. The action ha
been begun all along the line and
was not considered wise to attemp
| further measures to stop it. The CON
manders ordered their men forward a
the double quick, which they carrie
out with a vigor that afterward CAV
them the city.
Blood-bespattered sidewalks, broke
windows and bullet-scarred walls CAV
the plaza fearful aspect. Within th
Diligencia hotel there were 40 Amer
cans, most of them women, who ha
been there since the commencement
of hostilities. When the square wa
taken they were Immediately notifie
that they might go to other places
they so desired. but that they prol
ably would incur no further danger b
remaining in the hotel