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Thrilling Experiences

The Temoche Revolution

Highly emotional and with an inborn love for adventure, the natives of Mexico, for centuries, have been embroiled in martial conflict, much of it guerrilla in character. Grievances, in the light of Mexican philosophy, usually must be atoned for in physical combat. In the absence of actual grievances the elasticity of the Mexican mind has but little difficulty in hatching imaginary ones.

The intermittent fighting of a century overthrew Spanish rule in New Spain but did not end some of the iniquitous practices introduced here by the Spanish conquistadores. Class distinction and political and economic inequalities continued to thrive as in the days of Spanish glory. Lack of leadership and organization tended to hold the poorer classes in subjection to their masters and beneath the placid surface embers of hate were but awaiting the opportunity to burst forth into a lurid flame. Under the Diaz regime concerted action against these abuses seemed impossible before the Madero Revolution, although spasmodic and somewhat localized outbreaks occurred during the decades ante-dating that event.

I well remember just such an outbreak in 1893, when a group of eighty Temoche Indians from the mountains of northern Mexico inaugurated what is known as the "Temoche Revolution." The initial step taken in the revolution was an attack on the Customs House at Palomas near La Ascencion in northern Chihuahua. The raid was successful and netted the raiders considerable loot. Fired with their success the Indians contemplated an attack on other towns in Chihuahua and with that intent had begun a march toward the southwest. Directly on their line of march was Colonia Juarez, situated about seventy miles from Palomas.

Hearing of their approach and fearing an attack the colonists prepared to defend themselves through the agency of a local police force to consist of all able bodied men within the colony. The general command of the group was committed to Miles P. Romney, a man of some knowledge of military tactics and whose later life had been lived among the dangers of the frontiers. Associated with him as officers were three men known for their courage and reliability, John C. Harper, Orson P. Brown, a son of Captain James Brown of Mormon Battalion fame, and Brigham H. Stowell. President George Teasdale of the Mexican Mission counselled against the shedding of blood if possible, but in the event of an attack, he felt the colonists would be justified in defending themselves even to the point of taking life, if necessary.

Pickets were placed at all strategic points around the town with orders to fire if the Indians refused to halt. At the same time Orson P. Brown, Amos Cox and Carl E. Neilson were sent out as spies to ascertain the location of the enemy. On November 21, 1893, three of the Indians had made their way into the colony on a tour of inspection followed at a distance by Carl E. Neilson who was keeping watch of their movements. Several of the important business houses, including the "Union Mercantile," would likely have received their careful scrutiny had they not, in the meantime, become suspicious that their identity had been disclosed. Hastily they left the town followed by the intrepid Neilson.