Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-04-06

and Pine Suarez. one Of his cabinet
officers, were assassinated while be-
ing taken. as alleged. to the peniten-
tiary for safe keeping.
Immediately the fire Of revolt
broke out, the r~efor1ners anticipat-
ing a return TO the much hated sys-
tenn Of spoils which the party called
Cientificos had so successfully main
tanned during Diaz' later days.
Gen. VenuStiano CarranZa. at one
time the governor Of the state Of
Coahuila, Immediately called to arms
all those who might believe in pure
constitution and in reforms as set
out by Juarez. His party assumed
the name Of Constitutionalists. Car
rama went 70 Piedras Negras
whence he directed his campaign.
ION February is, 1918. the Sunday
following the revolt against Madero
in the City of Mexico, the garrison
of regulars at II. MatamoroS renoun-
ced its allegiance to Madero, and the
partisans Of Diaz Immediately as
sumed the reigns OF government OF
that city, pronouncing for General
Felix Diaz.
AT once those who we're outspok-
en- Maderistas were imprisoned.
Bandits Cross Border
ON February 20. the Matamoros
revolters realized that funds must
be available to pay off the troops.
which had become restless and ex-
acting"
There is a very good beginning.
"A nation IN revolt, citizens in arms.
and a large army, furnished with
all the necessities of war, FESTIVE
and unsatisfied. No centralized
power no power at all, in fact,
TO keep peace.
A leader. here. leader there. every
n with guns and shells mixed with
the natural Latin love Of excitement
and warfare. and the natural re-
suit was uncomfortable bandit conf
panieS, pillaping, raiding, plumber
ing, numbering.
1t is not to be expected that the
ll~llterate bandits would respect q
mere narrow strip OF water - the
Rio Grande - as a boundary 70
their field OF activities.
They began to cross into the Uni
ted States.
And then the fun began.
The American consul, Feb. "a,
1913, appealed TO the sheriff Of
Cameron county. III Brownsville. for
aid. The sheriff til turn wired Gov
ernor Colquitt stating that the Mex
leans were about to start a reign
Of terror and pillage. CThe consul
laer denied his part in this, but as
he had very little to do with tile
final outcome. his denial Of affirm
alton is insignificant
Gov. Colql I wired back the next
morning that several units Of the
state militia were then entraining
and would arrive in Brownsville
during the day.
Colquitt was a red-bIooded Amer
lean. with nerve and intestinal
fortitude" sometimes sadly lacking
in present day politicians. RE added
in his wire that If any American
subject was molested in the raid. he
YOU'D mFaue
Troops Arrive
True to his word, the troops ar
rived-four companies or Texas mi
litia and 8 Texas Rangers ready for
Action.
The men remained until late in
July. when they returned to their
homes.
In April Of the same year Lucio
Blanco and a party Of followers
traversed the state OF Nuevo Leon
and appeared on the Sofa Ia Mar
ina. where they recruited addition
al troops and headed for San Fer
nando. 90 miles south Of Matarno-
ros. He took possession Of the place.
capturing 600 horses which the gov
eminent had been concentrating
for shirment.
Moving swiftly, he swooped down
upon Revnosa across from the
town OF Hidalgo. in Hidalgo county,
and with a small loss Of life on his
side. cartured the town. It is re-
ported that the Federals lost q
killed. as manv more wounded and
many captured .
On Nav 10th Bianco. after exec
uting ~ Federal prisoners who had
refused to Join his forces. and an
American. Juan Alamia. who had
served with R~ooseveit's Rough Pid-
ers in the Cuban campaign, marched
on Matamoros.
Matamoros residents fed 70
Brownsville. the Federal troops and
a number OF volunteers remaining.
In the past. 1t seems that Browns
vile and Matamorcs citizens made
ID a habit OF crossing the river for
safety. If Brownsville was in dan
ger. Matamoros would harbor the
f~ugitives, and II Matamoros was
about 10 be attacked. the Mexicans
would dash TO this side Of the Rio
Grande for safety.
Late In May Blanco marched
upon Matamoros.
Gen. James Parker arrived IN
Brownsville from San Antonio
around the same time.
Fierce Battle
Blanco camped at Las Rucias, 5
miles south OF Matamoros. and as
sailed the city June 3, 1918. The
battle was fierce. but the rebels
succeeded In capturing the city late
on the day Of the 4th.
At 6 p. m. OF the 4th Of June.
Blanco executed approximately 80
prisoners. among them being several
boys between the ages OF IA and is.
BIanco asserted that they had