The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-04-19
From the Neso Orleans Pieoywns. ApvI IL.
The s0corro Affair.
ANOTHER AND DIrrEsxsr srArrMEsr.

AsoTmER AND DIFrEsxsr STATEMENT.
In this paper, ON the Goth and 2sth uIt.. we pub
lished accounts Of q truly uagical affair in the
hanging Of certain individuals Tor acts Of violence
and bloodshed at Socorro, in FL Pnso county, Tex
a.. We received these accounts from source al
together reliable, and il il true that the acts o. law
lessness and murder. AZ reported. were committed;
but we have converted with gentleman who were
in Socorro at tho time, whose version Of the whole
affair, and circumstances connected with IT, give II
a somewhat different phase; and being desirous
that the matter should appear in fair and Impair
tial light before tho public we shall here give the
statement subsequently received BY US.
We are informed that the Glands Of armed ruff
fans," az they were styled in our previous ac-
counts were, many Of them, the teamsters and
other subordinate employees Of the Boundary Com
mission, who had been discharged. at socorro, by
the quartermaster, Mr.. James Myer, three thou
sand miles from their homcs. without money, pro-
visions, or employment.
It il admitted that many acts Of violence and out
oS w ss Sese sa.. s
peradoes, who had been long time in the coun-
try, and in no way connected with the commis-
sion. On the night Of the 18th Of January the
man Alexander Young, who never had been con-
nected with or attached to tho commission, MUIR
inofensive man. named Wood, At = fandango.
to state. WA we'll known to two Of the editors Of
this paper during the war in Mexico. He was con.
sidered ~ . desperate, dangerous. and untrust-
worthy character; . sort OF hanger.on about the
camps Of our array, pretending at times to act as
servant or guide; but always looked upon by those
who knew him designing, unprincipled fell
low and daring plunderer. He no doubt met with
his deserts when he was hung.l
In regard to this case, we now informed that
there was no indignation felt or manifested BY
those persons who afterwards took 20 active and
interested part In the capture trial, and execu-
ton Of the men who were hung; but that, on the
contrary, Young, during the whole Of the next day
after the killing ofthc old man Wood, was at large
in the streets Of Socorro, and frequently in COM
pany with his subsequent executoners.
Respecting tho assassination Of the unfortunate
Edward c. Clark, we are told that, notwithstand-
ing hemurder Of the night before-thato OF Wood
Clark gave hndango AZ a house, rented by him
Young included--were admitted. During the
night some disturbance and noise arose q the
monte tables in adjoining apartments, which Clark,
tempting % preserve order no was w.ntonly at
tackled By Young with bis bowie knife, from which
he received soma eleven wounds, subsequently
causing his death. When Young, made this un-
provoked assault ON Clark general row took place,
We are further informed that the account Of the
maltreatment Of the whole party Of men and women
on this occasion placing ssntinels at the doors,
firing pistols at the candies, and otherwise terri
flying the women, &c.--all took it origin in the
Enlightened vision" Of our informant, "Philo Jus.
tice'' Besides the murder of Clark. Charles Gates
also received wound from pistol-shot in At
tempting 70 rescue Clark.
On the 30th january, we are also further inform
ed, there was great excitement among the mem
beers Of the commission stationed at Socorro. An
express was sent of to San Elezaro for assistance
from the United States troops at that place. In the
mean tinae, certain members Of the commission at
Socorro met and held consultation, in which they
unanimously agreed that this band Of EARNED ruff
fans" should at once be arrested and hung. They
set to work Immediately, when Marcus Butler and
William Craig were found at their own quarters
and arrested without resistance Mr.. Bariole. the
acting Mexican, alcalde, (not the chief justice,)
r. lYr0 N OPy N n
understanding the English language, this was ef-
fected by an Individual attached to the commits
sion, who in the various capacities Of judge inter-
preter, clerk and witness, summoned q jury COM
posed ofsix Americans and six Mexicans-the six
Americans being Of the number of the commits
sioners who were present that morning at the con-
court" assembled. armed with rifles, six shooters
and double barrel guns. Butler and Craig were
put upon their trial. John Wade, a witness, was
called 70 tho bar, sworn and examined; but not
that he had "sworn falsely. and must take
his seat with the prisoners" The trial pro-
crossed, when the testimony against Butler
no. being sufficient to convict him. one Of the
that "Butlsr had told him, on the way up to FL
Paso. that he, Butler, had hung two Mexicans near
San Antonio for stealing horses" The trial was
not closed until next day, the 3lst January, when
after the testimony concluded, the jury retired
TO make up verdict. Being absent, however,
longer than was deemed necessary, one of the
'COurt'' entered the room Wncrc tho Jurors were
celebrating, and in a few moments returned with
the jury, and announced that sninc Of the jury
had found all three of the prisoners guilty, while
tho three other members dissented; but that . ma
jority must rule" Immediately on the rendering
Of this verdict, (but before which the ropes were
sent for and prepared,) the prisoners were march
cd out, surrounded by an armed force, and hung;
Notwithstanding their protcstations of innocence
and their solemn appeals for a just trial.
McNevin was arrested on the same evening of
the execution; put into tho stocks," and confined
in the same room where the dead bodies were
placed all night. Next morning he was tried by
the same jury, who, finding nothing to connect
him, in the remotest degree, with the Transaction,
sentenced him to take an oath TO leave the county
Of FL Paso within one hour, under the penalty of
being shot; and it was proclaimed that any person
who should see him after that time should be at
liberty TO execute the sentence.
Young arrested about ten days afterwards;
taken TO Socorro, and tried and hung the same
evening.
rive have here given, as briefly possible,
(Omitting several severe remarks on the course Of
those individuals who took It into their hands TO
arrest and punish these menu another, or counter
version of the terrible tragedies Of Socorro. We
have nothing mors to say. The details are with
the public.
MAIL RoBBER.--A. o. Gardner was brought be-
fore William B. Ewing. esq, Commissioner under