Sutter, Jr to Julius A. Skilton, January 27, 1875

Mr. Sutter to Mr. Skilton.

Sir: Last night, at 8.15, about, the Evangelical congregation were surprised in their chapel by an armed mob, comprised of about forty to fifty men, said to belong to some Indian village in the neighborhood of Acapulco. Four Protestants—three men and one woman—were killed, and ten men wounded. One man of the aggressors was killed by a pistol-shot fired by the chief of police, who is a Protestant, and two more were wounded. Among the killed Protestants is Henry Morris, a native of Boston, married here, who leaves behind a numerous family. He had received three fearful machete-cuts, one of which nearly severed the head from the body. As soon as the cowardly massacre had taken place, and the organ and benches were cut to pieces, the assassins fled. When the garrison of the fort appeared they had all disappeared. Still, some arrests were made; and it appears that the district judge, who took the matter in hand immediately, will succeed in discovering the guilty parties.

All the Indians are under arms, and threaten to attack the town if the parish priest, who, in my opinion, is the prime mover of these heinous crimes, should be arrested. So he is still at large, and laughing probably at the impotence of the authorities.

Rev. Mr. Hutchinson yesterday had taken medicine, and consequently did not attend the meeting. A party is said to have gone to the house he inhabited and knocked, but as nobody stirred they supposed him to be among the congregation, and went away. He is, as the town is not safe, on board the American ship “Ida Lilly,” and will return to Mexico via Panama and Vera Cruz. The road would not be safe for him. The military commander of the fort offered him the hospitality of the federal garrison, but I think the ship is more convenient. His servant is with him.

Everybody in town is in fear of the Indians, who, incited by a fanatical priest, would perpetrate the most atrocious crimes.

Threats have also been uttered against the lives of parties who had contributed towards the purchase of an organ for the congregation, and against parties who spoke of and acted friendly towards the new movement. Your humble servant is amongst the number.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,