Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-04-23
MANY HOUSES DESTROYED AND
FIRES STARTED IN RESI-.
pENcE DISTRICT.
1oMeARpMENr NECESSARY
TO LAND MORE MARINES
Mexieans Continue to Harass Landing
Forces by Rifle Fire From Housstops
and 1arrieaded Positiens-Thres
Ships Take Part In 1ombardment -
Several Marines Wounded.

marines and bluejackets yesterday
completed the occupation OF Vera Cruz
after several hours Of street fighting.
The landing force was supported by
of the Prairie. Chester. and San Fran
cisco. The shells. dropped over the
heads OF the advancing forces. were
used to break down the walls extend
ing above the flat roofs Of the houses,
behind which the Mexicans had taken
refuge.
Considera Die damage was done by
the bombardment and the fire which
follow ed In few instances.
Five Americans Wounded.
Yesterdays engagement did not re-
suit in the killing of any Of the Amer
leans, but 1--WE Of them were wounded.
one fatally. They were:
r. Percy.
X. Cristy.
J. G. Bennett.
H Pulliam.
c. c. Nordseck.
H. HoIhom.
Percy, who is marine attached to
the battleslnip Utah. is the man whose
injuries are thought to be fatal.
The number of Mexicans killed or
wounded is not known. 1t is thought
to have been considerable.
A large number Of ca ptives are con-
victs who were released from the pris-
ons Of the city when the federals re-
treated. They had secured arms and
liquor.
May Extend Line West.
The Americans may extend their
operations twenty miles west along the
railroad connecting this city with the
capital This would place them in
control Of the San Francisco bridge
considered an important point II an
advance is to be made on Mexico City.
It is not known where the main body
of General Maas' troops are, but they
Vera Cruz and the bridge waiting re-
Inducements from the capital.
Forced to Extend Action.
The skellins and complete occupa-
ton Of Vera Cruz was forced on the
they had made every other effort to
Mexicans. which had been renewed at
daybreak-
Rear Admiral Fletcher attempted at
first to reach General Mas, who was
the commander Of the Mexican federal
force. It was learned that he had left
the city at noon Tuesday, half an hour
after the first boatload Of American
marines landed from the warships.
It Is stated that the Mexican troops
forming the garrison Of Vera Cruz
-
seen that the Americans were about
TO land and were told to act as they
saw fit. Few, If any, of their officers
remained. Among these was Colonel
Cerrillo, who was wounded in one arm
early in the fighting Tuesday.
Prisoners Aid Defense"
In the meantime, the sharpshooting
continued. 1t was not an organized
resistance but the sharpshooters occu-
pied the roofs Of houses in the central
part Of the city and were able to fire
down upon the American marines and
tluejackets.
Some of the Mexican troops obtained
a considerable supply Of intoxicants by
footing two stores. AS a result many
of them were in a condition which
made them equally dangerous to ma
tives and foreigners who came within
their range.
Among the citizen element offering
opposition to the American force there
were many prisoners, who had been
released before General Mas evacu-
ated the city. Many Of these criminals
inaugurated their liberty by becoming
intoxicated and then found a convent
ent outlet for their enthusiasm by
Joining the fighters on the housetops.
Council Decides on Advance.
Because Of these conditions Rear Ad-
mirals Badger and Fletcher decided a,
a conference on board the battleshtl
Arkansas to complete the investment
of the city.
Rear Admiral Fletcher at $50 O'Clock
in the morning ordered general move
ment for the occupation Of all the town
A column Of bluejackets advanced
and passed the uncompleted marke,
place and naval college. When they
had reached the walls Of the college