The Elbert County tribune., 1914-05-01

tui GU buCuAn-
an OF the Florida made an inspection
tour through It. There was great sur
prise among the Mexicans who had
gathered there thai the prisoners
were not released. They had been
accustomed to seeing the victor al
ways release prisoners and then I'M
press them all into his army.
Chief Of Police Captured.
Chief OF Police Antonio villa Vim
cencio was taken prisoner by the
Americans shortly after they had oc-
was suggested to him that he con-
tinue In his official capacity to direct
the citys protective system. He took
the question under advisement. Had
the frightened. mayor made up HIS
mind to accede to Admiral F1etcher's
suggestion. which was made through
Consul Canada. the Mexicans might
have been spared the humiliation OF
being forced from their positions and
undoubtedly a number Of lives would
not have been sacrificed.
When Admiral Fletcher directed
that battalions OF bluejackets and ma
IlnGH bt idnoCu iiOlh Ihtai <&oAia al
Badgers ships before dawn and be
drawn up in the plaza before the rail-
road station, thence to proceed to
take the entire town, he acted only
after warning and after Is shells
from the Prairie's three-inch guns had
been thrown into the steel framework
OF the new market. which faces Mar
ket place. A persistent but scattered
fire came from rifles In the market
during all the early hours OF the morn
ing. and Admiral Badgers men land
ed to the accompaniment of rifle bull
lets over their heads.
Uniforms Dyed With Rust.
When the rush started Admiral Bad
gers bluejackets, clad In orange col
ored clothing. made for them on the
trip down by dyeing white uniforms
with iron rust. moved In close column
formation up the water front, past
the market and across the front OF the
naval college, along. three story struc-
roof. The column moved steadily for
ward until the first company had
passed beyond the college and the re-
mainder we're covering the whole front
close against the wall.
Suddenly a spatter of rifle firing
broke out. Flashes from the rifles
were plainly visible in the upper win
! down Of the college and along the
roofs. The jackies etocd their ground
pluchly. Some of them huddied close
to the wall to avoid the rain OF steel.
jacketed bullets from above. while 9th
ers dashed across small open space
directly In front of the building. These
bluejackets dropped on their stomachs
and lifted their rifles high to get q
range on the windows above. Finally
the American officers hustled their
men either forward or backward un
til they we're In the shelter OF nearby
buildings
Men In Front undaunted.
The jackies in front. held theii
places, however. and the Prairie sent
shell after shell from her three-inch
battery into the windows OF the col
lege; huge columns OF red dust leaped
upward as each shot went home. The
Chester also joined in, and with q
roar her six-inch shells tore great gaps
in the roof of the college. Far to the
right OF the harbor the mine ship San
Francisco opened with her fve-inch
guns, and. taking the front OF the col
lege. shot out window after window
planting the shells with the precision
of target practise.
After Is minutes of firing the Prai
rie and the San Francisco ceased and
the column of jackies formed agair
and pushed ahead. deploying around
the front Of the college. A few shots
we're directed at them. but none came
from the college. The Chester contin
ued hurling shells into any building IL
which snipers lurked and also far oui
into the suburbs.
The jackies went ahead without fal
tering. spreading out through the wa
terfront sections. seizing the high
est buildings and organizing squadL o.
guards at street intersections.
The fire along the front gradual,
slackened and then died out, but ths
Chester sent a few shots into ths
hills before ceasing. The Hancock
with 700 marines on board. and thu
'battleship Michigan arrived too lat<
to participate in the fighting.
Wounded and prisoners we're taker
aboard the Prairie until the arrival o.
the Solace, about noon.
Vera Cruz Thoroughly cowed.
Conditions in Vera Cruz began ts
take on a normal aspect Thursday
Some of the restaurants were opened
and a considerable part of the native
population began to appear In thu
streets inspecting the damage done
There were no expressions Of goot
will for the Americans, but there wal
no apparent antagonism. The Mexi
cans here seem thoroughly cowed ant