El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1917-03-06
Salt W ar At San Elizario Was Bloody Affair
Several Killed In Battle Over Salt Lakes

Cardis's death must be avenged Finally
they came together in the center of the
town All realized that nothing short
OF miracle could avert a clash Alarm
filled every heart. and yet they were
unafraid. Each side believed il was
on the side OF right and justice Many
natives from Mexico flocked TO this side
to Join the san ElizariO people and
Howard wired governor Hubbard that
il was a Mexican invasion"
PaTleys AT long range were the order
OF the night When day came two
grimiv determined and armed forces
faced each other. It was about 10
o'clock a n. December Is, 1877, when
one OF the officers Of the ranger force
made an insulting remark about the
town. deliberately turned his back 70
the enraged Mexicans and insulted
them again. The officer had scarcely
removed his hand when bullet took
its place. and instantly hell broke
loose" That shot was the signal for
starting the hail OF lead. A Mr.. Ellis.
a storekeeper at San Elizarios was the
first man killed
4 Battle In Earnest.
The rangers occupied two blocks OF
houses. while the citizens fired from
hsstily-made parapets and laid siege
TO the enemies by shutting off all roads
leading out OF the town The siege
was pressed with unremitting vigor
and met with stubborn and spirited re
sisJance.
=
house surrendered The other defend
ers asked for conditions and were re-
fused. and the fight went on with
added fury. But finally every house
was captured and the besiegsrs were
just across the road about 40 feet from
the besieged, who could hear the sap
pers working to get under the house
to blow it up with powder.
Then the white flag was raised and
Towards force surrendered uncondi-
detailed
tial then and there sentenced Charles
Howard. John Atkinson and John Nc
Bride. the latter Towards agent 20
death and they were Immediately exc
cuted- The rangers, who had been
greatly Outnumbered. were allowed 10
depart without their guns, although
some OF the mob. about 500 strong,
wanted TO execute them all Chico
Barela's plea for them saved their lives
Sergt. Mortimer the only ranger VINO
lost his life, was killed in the fight.
Several persons were killed on both
sides during the fight A few DAYS
after the execution OF Howard and his
companions several companies OF
United States troops reached san Eli
carlo from Fort Bliss. to find the town
deserted The people had fled to the
woods when news reached them OF the
coming OF the troops, and that ended
the Salt Riot. Later. governor Hub
bard. OF the state OF Texas. raised p
command of rangers at Silver City, y
NJ, and sent them to San Ellzario.
where for months they visited reprtsalS
on the natives. killing several
The late ". W Mills in his memoirs
of early Fl Paso. says the action OF
the rangers raised IN New Mexico after
the riots was one OF the most disgrace
full occurrences in the early history OF
the county, many OF the newly re-
cruited officers being men OF the worst
type. They killed many innocent peo-
pie. according to reports Of the U. ;.
army officers sent there
There are some sideiights and Incl
dents which. grouped. will make an
other interesting chapter. Mr. Zimpel-
man was fully within his rights In buy
ing the salt lakes and Howard was act
ing in accord with the law in his pro-
ceedings. both as an attorney and as
a judge. but the Mexican people could
not see II that way