The southern press., 1851-04-07


the body Of Clarke was waiting its-iinsl removal
to the place selected for its aspulsurs. An or
derly and rsgukr procession was formed, and
preceded by the priest with al the insignia OF
the holy Catholic church, the body was carried
TO the grave ia the cemetery, ID front Of the
church, where, ut the c0nclusi0n Of the Catholic
service, that of the Episcopal wss read, and the
remains Of the murdered man we're lef1 In their
last resting place. After these mourafub eeFe-
monies were concluded, it became neccsshSY to
meet and consider the case Of Alexander Nc
Niven. The scenes Of the day previous, and
the reflections of the past night. had caussd
great change in this bold desperado and, with
II solemn promise that he would abstain from
liquor from that date, Gas it was to liquor alone
he charged his improper condncf,) he was dis
charged, rendering himself liable to certain pun
shment should he fail to respect his solemn OBJ
legation made in open court. AT sundown Nc
Niven was far upon the road, with his mouth
full of promises TO do better in the future.
Socorro now became qniet, orderly, and
pleasant place to dwell in, but there was still one
other and he the principal actor in all these
scenes, who was yet to be apprehended and pay
tho penalty ofall his great crimes before this
we're lesson for all evil-doers would be complete.
Four hundred dollars were subscribed and Of
fered rs reward for the arrest Of Alexander
Young, and his delivery ut Socorr0. Volunteer
parties were out in all directions; and others
were looking for him, tempted by the prospect
of gaining the large reward. At length, on the
morning of the 18th, news reached us Of his ar
rest, and that in the evening he would be de-
livercd ut Socorro. Another unpleasant, but
necessary duty presented itself, but it was inn
possible to avoid it.
Young arrived in the evening, was placed in
Jail, well chained and guarded; 10 o'clock the
following morning being appointed for his trial.
During the night he was visited in Jail, the care
less, dogged look Ind left his eye, and the sup
plicating, inquiring glance told plainly change
within the inner man. lie was anxious to know
if either of the three previously hung had made
confession or not, and said he had given up all
hopes of escaping. Being asked if he wished
to write to any one he answered that lle would
like to have Il letter written to his mother, who
had not heard from him for six wears past. The
letter wns written, and the prisoner appeared
much affected. He confessed the truthfuness
of the charges against him, eliminating clearly,
and in n still worse light, the three who were
hung first, besides many others. He did not
think there was any hope for him after death,
bnt would try and turn his thoughts heaven
ward He then knclt down and prayed, after
which he was left alone.
met, jury mpanneled, &c, notwithstanding the
inclemcncy of the weather and the heavy falling
snow, which rendered the duties of the morning
doubly unpleasant. At the opening OF the court,
letter of the prisoner, containing his confess
sion, was read publicly then signed by himself
and witnessed by certain members of the cOnrt
and other individuals there present.
With the testimony already before the court,
the jury could have brought in an immcdi-
ate verdict Of guilty; but it WAS deemed advs-
abe to present other evidences to show still fur
ther the unmistakabe guilt of every one who had
been punished, especially as it was to the interest
of one or two persons, who were passing for hon
est and honorable men, to uphold the characters
Of their associates. The prisoner was found
guilty and sentenced to be hung. At 4 p. M, he
was taken to the church, where, with penitent
lips and on penitent knees, he made his final
confession, received the blessings of the PRIEST,
and from thnce was taken to the spot where he
was to be hanged His last request for himself
was that he might be buried as we'll and as re-
spectacle as the circumstances of hi, case would
admit While standing under the tree, with
the rope around his neck he requested to be al
lowed to say few words to those standing
around.
He begged ofthose who were younger than he
to take warning from his example, that even older
persons might profit by the warning presented
in his case They could see what gambling,
swearing, drinking and an ungovernable temper,
with the worst Of evil associations, had brought
him to. He had run away from home ut the age
of fourteen years, and would never see that
home again. With other remarks of like char
acter he concluded, begging them to beware of
liquor, the gaming table and an ungovernable
temper. AT hafpast 4, p. m. the law was car
ried into effect, using the same tree and upon
the same spot where the first murderers were
hanged.
was talking with some of the Mexicans day
since, when an old man remarked, An, sir,
have now lived fortv-nine years in these parts,
and never before witnessed such good example
as has been shown in the just and wellnerited
punishment of these murderers. This frontier
line has wanted something the kind for long
time past. Socorro is now more quiet than have
ever known il previously; we can now sit in
the evening at the doors of our houses, and not
be obliged before, to retire with the sunlight,
bar our doors, and seek the chimney corner with
fear and trembling
The remarks of the old man arc just many
that had fed The village are rcturning the men
are busy in the fields, preparing and stocking
their lands for the spring crop the children and
boys are as noisy rs ever, and the wild notes of
the rancho song are heard in the quiet moonlit
eve, leaving an impression on the mind Of listen
ing strangers, strange and peculiar to itself
But have already made this hasty letter too
long, and until another opportunity offers, shall
say, adios. PfIII.O JUSTICE.