Weekly national intelligencer., 1851-04-12
THE sOCoRRO TRAGEDIES-MEXICAN BOUN-
DAIRY COMMISSION.
conREsrosDEScE OF THE NEW ORLEANS PIcAIUHE.
SoRocco, (os THE RIo GRAsDK, IN Texas, NEAR

conREsrosDEscE or THE NEW ORLEANS PIcAYUEE.
SoRocco, (os THE RIO GaAsDK, IN TExAs, NEAR 4
Ell PAso) FEBRUARY l6, 1881.
Circumstances have transpred at this place. within the
last three weeks, well calculated to attract the attention Of The
people of the United States and, il is amportant that
facts should be known. if possible before wrong impressions
receive additional support from flying and contradictory
mors have undertaken faithful sketch Of things they
have presented themselves Before entering into particulars
let me preface sufficiently inform YOU that this Socoo is
situated about fifteen miles from Ell Paso del Norte proper
about two miles from seta which lies between, and six miles
from San Eizaro. The last named lies further down
the river, and is occupied by United States troops.
During the year LIST past several trains of wagons for
California and elsewhere have passed through these villages
in many instances stopping for weeks avang themselves Of
the convenences for repairs and the
crung of animals. well known that with all these
trains there less individuals Of doubtful character
and frequently, number Of renegades from justice, who,
offering themselves cooks, servants any low occupation
and for such rfing compensation that many have been
received without proper inquiry having been made about
their standing and character The dschargng at different
periods of many worthless and vagabond men, this
place, had thrown upon the peaceful inhabitants of the little
village set Of ruans, who by daily increase Of numbers
had become formidable that least the life Of person
whatever considered safe beyond the walls Of his
house, and within those limits even the following will
show.
The first check given this band Of gamblers hose-theves
and murderers, the arrival Of the United States and Mex
lean boundary commission at Socoro, which, for the better
modaon Of the larger portion Of the commission with the
necessary convenencss for quaes store bouses &c.,
Immediately selected The presence Of body Of
weldsposed and spirited young mer tended to make these
fellows hide their heads during the time that the greater por
ton Of the members Of the commission together but
duties connected with the boundary survey had caad of diff
eent parties and in various directions AS the number of the
commission Socoro became reduced 10 the raowas
lost the peace andque of the village until tas but ten
eleven reliable men could be found for combined de-
fence and neghbohood presented appearance Of
the internal regions than Of place where human and civilized
beings known to dwell. Houses opened for the
entertainment of ALL and for the indulgence OF every vicious
passion wicked imagination might suggest Each midnight
hour headed scenes and oentmes bloody for the
fast filling record Of crime; each mornngs though ris
ing beautiful and BRIGHT could not warm the chilling sensa-
ton which lay heavy the hearts Of the trembling Mexcans
they listened the recital Of fresh and bloody Decd
then hastened to pack their little store Of worldly wealth. and
with wives children all fled quickly from the rapidly depop
uating village.
In vain they ask the meaning Of the clause in the treaty Of
Guadalupe de Hdago which promises that the property and
interests of Msxcans falling this side Of the Rio Grande
shall be protected that of any other citizen OF the United
States What is the protection which permits them to be
defence
Thus THINGS each outrage escaping the notice
Of those who had power additional bodness to the des-
perae gang surrounding the darkness OF night afforded
sufficient time for he their evil acts thrust without fear
or shame in the very face Of the MONDAY None dared
stir from home without being douby armed and prepared to
their weapons at moments warnng for the turning of
had brought Immediately the mszze Of adozen
pistols You will naturally inquire where the author
ties !" You shall learn from the sequel Of this.
On Tuesday, the 2sh Of January last Alexander Young,
the principal in the scenes about to write Of gave
prelude to the bloody tragedies which followed exhi
Of onda which had been recently started in the place.
This of blood for Young put him fresh TRAIL and he
kept it like bloodhound with pack Of many others like
himself following at his heels and in the pursuit With
IL AZ
tons, and seemingly desirous Of committing murder They
Mexcans house, call for wne the poor fellow is
sufficiently prompt 10 suit their excited fances Immediately
pistol is eyeled at his head but thank God the cap will moi
explode hear with what fendsh pleasure the ruani
laugh at the innocent mars fright harmless Indian girl
shocked at their rude amiaries seeks to escape but nd
her protection from the wholesale brutality dealt out
who dared to appearance OF decency and pro
pety The night of 2Sh has its history the day Of ht
29h presents that which bears more particularly upon
present object \ na
About midday, shortly aer part of the band had col
ected the fonda of the who bad been wounded
day previous at this time Peaceaee person is passing
by from shooting excursion his fowng piece is forciby
taken Aom him by this Alexander Young, who takes int
house and kills inmate Of the The murderer .her
cooly takes drink Of liquor s informed that his victim
dead DYING when he enters where the body ys straight
it, and crosses the hands and the
few minutes later the crowd is walking together up thu
road laughing the bloody Decd and threatening xii
every drive them from the place. John Woods, th
murdered person IN nls instance, was generally KNOWN as
little harmless old man, rather be ped than feared II
the evening Of this day, person riding along h
road when six Of the band cooked and pointed their pistols
him. forcing him by the road be came, be shot
About nghtme and dsmay had shadowed every
within the village that belonged the orderly part Of the
muniy; then resolved to ask for assistance from th
military post at San Elizaro about six miles distant mott
written stating the necess of the case with history
the past occurrences and the condition Of things that time
In about hours the express returned, with de
cinng furnish any assistance the plea that shou
| first apply to the civil authorities.
Had there been any well known reliable civil authorities
Socoro, such answer might be deemed proper and
cusable, but there none, and, admitting that there
such fact could not the taunng, insulting nnuendo
which closes the OF the officer applied to- when he writes
81 should think that there good citizens enough in So
who may be summoned by the alcade protect th
lives and property Of the Inhabitants Toths note from
nearest military authority, the following reply made
the following morning. signed BY the same persons who hat
| addressed the first communication:
"SocoRRo, TEXAS, JAN. SO, 1851.
Capt. ---, commanding San Ezaro
SIR: Your note received last night We regret thu
which rendered necessary for ct
zens to ask for protection from American soldiers
"Though there good citizens enough in Socorro who
be summoned for the protection OF life and property,
thought that those who were sent here for the
the same and the establishment of kind of order
would have the best right take the business in hand
cay it is well known, both far and of the nonexst
of any responsible and reliable civil authority th
place.
Trusting that the trfing number have present win be
sufficient for the protection Of ourselves and the peaceful in
| habtants of the village,
We remain, very respectfully, your obedient
On the night of the 2sh preceding the morning when th
above note was dispatched, dancing party given in th
place. such being the only which could be afforded
those who desirous of enjoying pleasantly the little
present The of nresent d,rpr