The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-04-09


those who were sent here for the protection Of
/ the same, and the establishment of some kind
of order, would have the best right to take the
business in hand, especallyas it is well known,
both far and near, of the non-existence of any
responsible aud reliable civil authority at this
place.
Trusting that the trifing number we have
present will be sufficient for the protection of
ourselves and the peaceful Inhabitants OF the
village,
We remain, very respectfully your obedent
I servants.
On the night of the 29th, preceding the morn
| ing when the above note was despatched, a
dancing party was given in the place, such being
the only amusement which could be afforded to
| those who We're DESTROYS of enjoying pleasantly
the little society present. The testimony Of
those present during the night in question, as it
has been elected in an examination and trial since
held and from other information not furnished at
that time, all goes to prove that certain ndyid-
7. uas, known as Alexander Young, John Wade,
Marcus Butler, William Craig, Stephen Stanley
Chas Hughes Chas. Ripley, Thomas McCasky,
! Alex'r McNiven and others, went to the house
where the dancing was going on,and with the pre-
meditated design of" breaking it up and having
fuss with Mr.. Clarke, and any one else who
might aid him." Young commenced by making
considerable noise, and, as it grew later, fired
his pistol off at candle the frightened females
were not permitted to retire, and any one who
might attempt to take them away was threatened
with death. Meanwhile, two rufians stood on
\ the outside as sentinels one at each side OF the
entrance Craig discharged his pistol at the
clock, destroying the same, while Young, with
! a kn.fe in one hand and pistol in the other,
moved up and down the ROOM threatening to
shoot the first person who moved At one time
he makes the direct question, whether he shall
shoot Clarke or not, at the same moment that
his pistol is within few inches of Clarke's
j head, who is sitting in chair. AT length the
final bloody act was committed by an attack up
on Clarke, commenced by Young, and followed
in direct manner, by Wade, Butler, and Craig,
and ina manner less direct by others OF the
party who were standing round The result
was that Clarke was carried away to a surgeon,
MORALLY wounded in nine or ten places, and
! Chas Gates was taken away with severe shot
wound in the leg.
The morning following, horror and dismay
were depicted in the faces of all. What was to
be done! The military had refused to aid US,
and we felt that whatever might have been their
excuses. their noncompliance with our request
had permitted the preparation Of another foul
/ murder: for had but reasonable number OF
their body presented itself at Socorro immedi-
atey, the murderers would have been frightened
or driven from the place. The alcalde of the
village, a weak and sickly imbece, had trans.
ferred his authority to person even more tlmid
and less reliable than himself; yet this person
was invested with .the powers of justice of
the peace, by authority of a commission from
the State of Texas. This person constituted
the entire ciuil authority at Socorro. The few
| ,ba. - fba hnnp day
were compelled to resolve upon some plan for
the protection not only of their own lives and
property, but also for the protection of the trem
bling and dismayed population. Messengers
were Immediately sent to San Elizario, for as
sistance from the main body of the commission
| there engaged in various duties; the call was
promptly responded to, and in about three hours
| a party of Mexicans and Americans, which we
had hastily armed, were joined by the other
members of the commission, and likewise many
of the villagers from below. ..
The force was divided, and every suspected
house searched, by which they succeeded in
arresting eight or nine of the party; but
Young, the leader, had made his escape early in
| the morning. The prisoners We're Immediately
carried TO the house of Judge Berthold, where a
court was instituted to suit the epergencies OF the
case Jurors were summoned and sworn, prose
|
offered to the prisoners, which they declined re-
ceiving, treating the offer as jest, and making
vulgar and obscene remarks upon their position.
| They were evidently under the impression that
nothing would be done, believing that by the
mutual under ,tanding between each one and the
other Of them, they could easily swear them
selves out of the difficulty. The examinations
were conducted with propriety, and the prisoners
we're made to keep silence by the armed and de-
terniined front presented by the citizens present.
I The court continued its sitting until after
dark, when Craig, Wade and Butler, were or.
dered to be confined in Jail until ten o'clock of
the following morning, to which hour there was
an adjournment. During the examination many
threats were openly made, and information had
been received that rescue would be attempted
if the prisoners were not strongly guarded, and
in consequence a guard, composed Of six well
armed men, was kept all night in the Jail.
On Friday the 3lst, at 10 o'clock, a. M, the
court met pursuant to an adjournment, and pro-
ceeded to try William Craig, John Wade and
Marcus Butler, for aiding and abetting in the
murderous assault on Edward G. Clarke 1t
was evident to all that much Of the testimony
received in the examination of the day previous
was not as perfect rs il might have been, had
not the witnesses been intmidated by the threats
1 OF suuv OF the gong, who had hpen heard to
swear repeatedly that they would Xiii any one
who testified to aught against their companions,
or who dared attempt 10 execute the laws upon
them. Notwithstanding alFthis, the evidence
was sufficiently strong and conclusive to insure
their conviction. The jury brought in verdict
of guilty." and the Judge sentenced them to be
hung in one hour from e lime Of the adjourn
ment of the court. The prisoners were escorted
to the little plaza in front of the village church,
where the priest met them, to give such conso-
lation as his holy office would permit of; but
their conduct, Notwithstanding the desire on the
part of all to afford them every comfort that
their position would allow of continued reck.
less careless and indifferent, even until the last
| moment!
The sun was setting when they arrived at the
place of execution. Immediately the citizens
formed circle around the gallows.trcc, TO pre-
vent any rescue, which there was every reason
| to believe would be attempted. II was fast