CORDELL, OKLA., HERALD-SENTINEL
GRAPHIC STORY
OF VERA CRUZ
Capture of Mexican City After
Two Days' Fight Presents
Vivid Picture.
VALOR OF OUR BLUEJACKETS
Warships Shelled Buildings In Which
Mexican "Snipers" Had Taken Ref-
uge—Natives Surprised at Cour-
tesy of American Troops.
Vera Cruz, Mexico, April 24.—
Twelve Americana were killed and
thirty wounded before the cit;y of
Vera Cruz came into the undisputed
possession of the American invading
forces after a two-day fight Although
the Mexicans suffered more severely,
the number of their casualties has not
been ascertained. The best estimates
obtained by Capt. William R. Rush
of the battleship Florida indicated
that in the engagements of 'Tuesday
and Wednesday their dead numbered
about one hundred and fifty. No per-
son knows how many Mexicans fell
wounded, as many of them were taken
away and hidden by friends.
In the streets about the plaza
Wednesday afternoon lay fifteen or
twenty bodies, a majority of them at-
tired in citizen's clothing. Some of
the men evidently had been dead since
the engagement Tuesday and the
tropical heat made their immediate
disposal imperative. One of the first
orders given after the town had been
captured was to bury the Mexican
dead in a trench at the sea end of
one of the streets leading from the
plaza.
Scores Are Taken Prisoners.
When the city was taken the order
■was given to advance carefully and
eearch every building for men bearing
arms. Scores of prisoners were taken,
the majority of them protesting vol-
ubly—many hysterically—that they
•were not guilty of any unfriendliness
toward the Americans. Accustomed
as the Mexicans are to Beeing their
own contending forces shoot imme-
diately all prisoners taken, the cap-
tured men could not but believe that
they would receive no less drastic
treatment at the hands' of the Ameri-
cans. The guns found in houses were
thrown by the marines and blue-
Jackets from the upper balconies to
the pavement below.
The most spirited action was the
taking of the naval academy. Aside
from that fight, no definite, organized
opposition was encountered by the
Americans. A hot fire was poured
from the naval college, but a few
■well directed shots from the cruisers
Chester, San Francisco and Prairie
tore gaping holes In the stone walls
and silenced the rifle fire of the Mexi-
cans lnp'.ie. The bluejackets then
were ena>ed to proceed with the task
they had in hand.
Escape From Fight Cut Off.
Despite the shelling it had received
Tuesday, a squad of soldiers continued
to give considerable trouble to the
Americans from the battered Benito
Juarez tower. After they had been
silenced and removed from the tower
It was discovered that the soldiers
had continued fighting for lack of
ability to do anything else. The shells
from the warships Tuesday had torn
away the Btairway in the tower and
the men had been compelled to remain
In it.
Appeal From Aged Mexican.
Coincident with the orders for the
general advance of the Americans an
aged, white-haired Mexican, carrying
the white flag of truce, came down a
street from the center of the city.
He carried a letter to the chief of po-
lice, the only authority he hoped to
reach, and desired Consul Granada to
read it. It was an urgent appeal to
the chief of police to call off the
snipers and prevent the bombardment
be believed would follow if they con-
tinued their execution.
Even before the messenger had
climbed the stairs into the consul's
office Capt Rush was informed of the
contents of the note he bore and im-
mediately sounded "cease firing" and
•"halt" But It was too late. The
action had been begun all along the
line and it was not considered wise
to attempt further measures to stop
It. The commanders ordered their
men forward at double quick, which
they carried out with a vigor that
afterward gave them the city.
Evidences of War.
Blood-bespattered Bldewalks, broken
windows and bullet-scarred walls gave
the plaza a grewsome aspect. Within
the Dillgencia hotel there were forty
Americans, moat of them women, who
had been there since the commence-
ment of hoatilities. When the square
was taken they were immediately no-
tified that they might go on the Span-
ish cruiser Carlos V. outside the
breakwater in order to give the Prairie
room to fire her guns. The Spanish
commander refused, saying that 'he
dared not maneuver his boat in so
small a space at night He also de-
clared that he needed to take on a
supply of fresh water. Admiral
Fletcher Insisted yesterday that his
order be carried out, and the Carlos
V. moved outside just before the at-
track on the center of the city began.
At 10.08 Wednesday morning the
Americans were in undisputed pos-
session of all the city except the
southwest quarter, in which the bar-
racks are situated, and a few outlying
districts. At noon thsy had taken
the barracks. When th* city prison,
which faces the main plaza, was cap
tured, Lieutenant-Commander Buchan-
an of the Florida made an Inspection
tour through It. There was great sur-
prise among the Mexicans who had
gathered there that the prisoner!
were not released. They had been
accustomed to seeing the victor al-
ways release prisoners and'then im-
press them all into his army.
Chief of Police Captured.
Chief of Police Antonio Villa Vln-
cenclo was taken prisoner by the
Americans shortly after they had oc-
cupied the main plaza of the city. It
was suggested to him that he con-
tinue in his official capacity to direct
the city's protective Bystem. He took
the question under advisement. Had
the frightened mayor made up his
mind to accede to Admiral Fletcher'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-
rines be landed from Rear Admiral
Badger's 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 15 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 Badger's .men land-
ed to the acdompaniment of rifle bul-
lets over their heads.
Uniforms Dyed With Rust.
When the rush started Admiral Bad-
ger's 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, a long, three story struc-
ture built of adobe and having a tile
roof. The column moved steadily for-
ward until the first company had
passed beyond the college and the re-
mainder were 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 stood their ground
pluckily. Some of them huddled close
to the wall to avoid the rain of steel-
jacketed bullets from above, while oth-
ers dashed across a small open space
directly In front of the building. These
bluejackets dropped on their stomachs
and lifted their rifles high to get a
range on the windows above. Finally
the American officers hustled their
men either forward or backward un-
til they were in the shelter of nearby
buildings.
Men In Front Undaunted.
The jackies in front held their
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 a
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 five-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 15 minutes of firing the Prai-
rie and the San Francisco ceased and
the column of jackies formed again
and pushed ahead, deploying around
the front of the college. A few Bhots
were directed at them, but none came
from the college. The Chester contin-
ued hurling shells into any building in
which snlperB lurked and also far out
into the suburbs.
The jackies went ahead without fal-
tering, spreading out through the wa-
terfront sections, seizing the high-
est buildings and organizing squads of
guards at street intersections.
The fire along the front gradually
Blackened and then died out, but the
Chester sent a few shots into the
hills before ceasing. The Hancock,
with 700 marines on board, and the
'battleship Michigan arrived too late
to participate in the fighting.
Wounded and prisoners were taken
aboard the Prairie until the arrival of
the Solace, about noon.
Vera Cruz Thoroughly Cowed,
Conditions in Vera Cruz began to
take on a normal aspect Thursday
Some of the restaurants were opened
and a considerable part of the native
population began to appear in the
streets inspecting the damage done
There were no expressions of good
will for the Americans, but there w
no apparent antagonism. The Mexl
cans here seem thoroughly cowed and
appear to accept with passlveness the
presence of the foreign forces.
SENATORS OFFER TO ENLIST
Fall, New Mexico, and Sheppard
Texas, Tender Services.
Washington.—Senators Fall of New
Mexico and Sheppard of Texas have
written the president offering theii
services In the operations against
Mexico. Senator Weeks of Massachu-
setts already had volunteered.
Senator Fall wrote that he was
ready to resign from the senate and
go to the front.
Senator Williams of Mississippi, who
made a speech in the senate Tuesday
opposing war with Mexico, had writ
ten to the president asking that his
son, Robert Webb Williams, be ap
pointed a second lieutenant In the
volunteer service.
All offers have been sent to the wu
department
STRATEGIC POINT ON VERA CRUZ RAILWAY
%
This is one of the two bridges on the line of the railway from Vera Crua to Mexico City, the control of which
means much to the success of the American troops. The bridges are only a few miles from Vera Cruz, and their
destruction would seriously hamper the movement toward the capital.
FIFTH BRIGADE EMBARKS AT GALVESTON GENERAL FRED FUNST0N
ElSr=Ii3r3r=dird[^r^^i3frJMMr^r='r='ril
The Fifth brigade, U. S. A., under command of Brig. Gen. Fred Funston,
on its way to the transports at the Galveston docks, where it embarked for
Vera Cruz. In the brigade are about 4,700 ofllcers and men, comprising the
Fourth, Seventh, Nineteenth and Twenty-eighth infantry, the Sixth cavalry,
one battery of the Fourth field artillery, a company of engineers, a company
of the signal corps and an ambulan.ce corps.
BORDER COMMANDERS AND TRCOPS
C". ,*vw , - - \y:
V
Brig. Gen. Fred Funston is In com-
mand of the Fifth brigade, United
States army, which went from Galves
ton to Vera Cruz to carry on the work
begun by the men of the fleet.
FIRE CONTROL MAST
Hi
|
tsrf-vSn in
The lattice work mast of an Ameri-
can battleship, from the top of which
the fire of the guns is controlled.
MESSAGE FROM THE BRIDGE
i\i s
mT 1 II
Si
atKvice
WOMAN COULD
NOT SIT UP
Now Does Her Own Work.
Lydia E. Pinkham's Vegeta-
ble Compound Helped Her.
Ironton, Ohio.—" I am enjoying bet-
ter health now than I have for twelve
years. When I be-
gan to take Lydia E.
Pinkham's Vegeta-
ble Compound I
could not sit up. I
had female troubles
and was very ner-
vous. I used the
remedies a year and
I can do my work
and for the last eight
months I have
worked for other
women, too. I cannot praise Lydia E.
Pinkham's Vegetable Compound enough
for I know I never would have been aa
Well if I had not taken it and I recom-
mend it to suffering women."
Daughter Helped Also.
" I gave it to my daughter when she
was thirteen years old. She was in
school and was a nervous wreck, and
could not sleep nights. Now she looks
so healthy that even the doctor speaks
of it. You can publish this letter if you
like."—Mrs. Rena Bowman, 161S. 10th
Street, Ironton, Ohio.
Why wHl women continue to suffer
day in and day out and drag out a sickly,
half-hearted existence, missing three-
fourths of the joy of living, when they
can find health in Lydia E. Pinkham's
Vegetable Compound?
If you have the slightest doubt
that Lydia E. Pinkham's Vegeta-
ble Compound will help you,write
to Lydia E.Pinkham McdlcineCo.
(confidential) Lynn, Mass.,for ad-
Vice. Your letter will be opened,
read and answered by a woman
and held in strict confidence.
Titta Ruffo's Important Views.
A piece of baked macaroni trying
to stand upright. This is the defini-
tion of the modern American woman
given to a Denver newspaper reporter
by Titta Ruffo of the Chicago Grand
Opera company.
"It ees like a piece of cooked maca-
roni making efTort to stand upright,"
he Bald with an air of disgust. "Ia
Eet-aly the women are beeg. Only
beeg women are beautiful.
"The American woman is very chic
and it la good for her to be a suffra-
gette. It Is nice for woman to rule
man in America. In Eeet-aly it Is not
so nice."
The Montessori System.
Old-Fashioned Mother—What is this
Montessori system of child education
that I hear so much about?
Old-FaBhioned Father—I dunno, ex-
actly, but the keynote of It seems to
be "votes for children."
What He Wanted.
"My wife insists on having a flying
machine."
"We have some that are perfectly
safe, sir."
"Have you one that will fly at an
altitude of about ten iftches?"
Constipation causes and seriously aggra-
vates many diseases. It is thoroughly cured
by Dr. Pierce's Pellets. Tiny sugar-coated
granules. Adv.
Her Experience.
Ethel—Man proposes—
Marie—Yes, but he needs encour-
agement.—Boston Evening Transcript.
For thrush use Hanford's Balsam.
Get it into the bottom of the affected
part. Adv.
Colonel Loughborough (left) and Colonel Perkins (right), of the Twen-
tieth United States infantry, now on the Mexican border, and some of their
roops In action.
These sailors are sending a mes-
sage from the bridge of a battleship
by what is known as the Ardols sys-
tem of signaling.
We know some railway bridges that
seem to-be dependent on Providence
and a coat of paint.
If you wish beautiful, clear, whit®
clothes, use Red Cross Ball Blue. At all
good grocers. Adv.
A good sense of humor can be
turned into dollars. The modern prac-
tical joker writes them and Bells them.
Housework Is a Burden
It's hard enough to keep house if in
perfect health, but a woman who is
weak, tired aod suffering from an aching
back has a heavy burden.
Any woman in this condition has good
cause to suspect kidney trouble, especial-
ly if the kidney action seems disordered.
Doan's Kidney Pills have cured thou-
sands of suffering women. It's the best
recommended special kidney remedy.
A NORTH DAKOTA CASE
Mrs. C. j. Tyler,
Cando, N. D.. says:
"For year* I had
kidney trouble. My
feet and 1 1 m b i
swelled and I
couldn't s!*ep more
'than two hours at a
time. In the morn-
ing I was all worn
out. My back «ai
lame and I had
sharp pains when I
stooped. Ooan's Kid-
ney Pills have re-
moved all this trou-
ble."
Cat Doan's at Any Store, 50e ■ Box
DOAN'S VffilV
FOSTER-M1LBURN CO.. BUFFALO. N.Y.
OAmeDlal. eon'enlent,
che*p. 1.   it i  11
• •fttoa. M d« of
metal, eantsplllortlp
owi will not toll or
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Uuftrsnteed effect It*.
All dealers ortMnt
expreM paid for tl.OO.
BAJtOLD some MM, 1m Defcftlfc At*., Brooalya, s. t.
Ml