May 9, 1911
El Paso Times - In Hopes that They Will Drive Federals from the Church Flames Spreading and Entire Block May Be Wiped Out. The
insurrectos have set fire to the post office in Juarez and the blaze
has spread to the drug store and stationary store nearby. The post
office is across the street from the church where the federals are
gathered and it is believed the insurrectos are attempting to force
them out or burn the town. At the same time that the fire broke
out, the rebels had completed their sortie and were firing at the
church from their trenches. The rebels believe that if they can capture
the church they will be in complete possession of the town. Insurrecto
leaders think they know where Gen. Navarro is and are making every
effort to take him prisoner. Orders have been given not to shoot him,
but to capture him alive if possible. The fire, it is believed,
fanned by the wind, can wipe out one section of Juarez. There is a
large number of federals at the barracks which is to be the objective
point of the rebels. At 4:40 p.m. Col. Steever gave the order
permitting some Americans to cross the bridge and bring back the
wounded who for some time have been lying near the bridge. Dozens of
ambulances and scores of physicians have arrived since the news spread
that the wounded could be assisted. The flames are spreading in
the eastern part of the block. The post office has practically been
destroyed and the large wholesale grocery and dry goods establishment
of Calderon and Bros is now being destroyed by the flames. A small
hotel is also on fire. The insurrectos under Col. Blanco are
coming over the hills in Juarez while a thick cloud of black smoke is
becoming so dense that it is now believed the rebels will take
advantage of it and press close to the church under cover of the smoke. The
insurrectos have opened fire with their cannon in the old church
opposite the post office, where the federals are gathered in great
numbers. The federals are replying with volleys of shrapnel all around
the point where the insurrectos shave set up their cannon. The
insurrecto forces now state that the federals have concentrated their
forces in the church and barracks and that Gen. Navarro is located in a
small house near the church and the insurrectos are going to make a
desperate effort to capture him this afternoon. Another fire has
been started in the southeast section of Juarez. Dynamite bombs are
being exploded constantly and the detonation can be heard far within El
Paso. At 1:30 p.m. it is estimated by the insurrecto officers that there area t least 1,500 insurrectos in Juarez. Canonizing
is being heard on the east side of the city since 8 a.m. and it is
supposed Villarreal’s command is working in and engaging the federals
near the school house and race track. Cowboy Park, the custom house, and the bull ring are occupied by the insurrectos. The
insurrectos are now engaged in getting bomb men up close to the church,
jail and jefatura where the federals are concentrated. The bombs are
being thrown with good effect. Both sides are being careful with
their ammunition. The insurrectos are expecting 1,000 men from Bauche
this afternoon who will enter the city from the south. A large
number of federals are gathered near the market house and the
insurrectos are bringing in some guns to being battering the church. The insurrectos have had only slight losses this morning.
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