Weekly national intelligencer., 1851-04-12


was invested with the powers Of justice of the peace
by authority OF commission from the State of Texas This
person constituted the entire cr ahortya Socoo. The
few members Of the boundary commission present
PEELED to resolve upon plan for the protection not only
Of their own lives and property but also for the protection Of
the trembling and dsmayed population Messengers
Immediately sent to San Ezao assistance from the main
body OF the commission there engaged in various duties the
call was promptly responded TO- and in about three hours
party of Mexcans and Americans which had hastily
ed 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
pay but Young, the leader had made his escape early in
the morning. The prisoners Immediately carried to the
house of Judge Behod where instituted to suit
the emergencies OF the Jurors summoned and
prosecuting attorney named and counsel for defence
offered TO the prisoners, which they declined receiving,
ing the offer jest and making vulgar and obscene remarks
upon their position They evidently under the impress
sion that nothing would be done, believing that by the mutu
al between each and the other Of them they
could easily swear themselves out Of the difficulty. The
animation conducted with propre,y, and the prisoners
made to keep silence by the armed and determined front
presented by the citizens present.
The court continued its sitting until after dark, when Craig
Wade and Butler ordered to be confined in Jail until
ten o'clock Of the following morning, which hour there
adjournment During the examination many threats
openly made and information had been received that
would be attempted if the prisoners strongly
guarded and in consequence guard composed of six we'll
armed men, was kept oil night in the Jail.
On Friday, the 3ls at 10 o'clock A. NJ the court met,
pursuant to adjournment and proceeded to try VIM. Craig
John Wade and Marcus Butler for aiding and abettng in
the murderous assault on Edward c. Clarke evident
all that much of the testimony received in the examination
the day previous perfect 1t might have been
had the witnesses been nmdated by the threats of
of the gang who had been heard to repeatedly that they
would kill any who testified aught against their
panions who dared attempt the laws upon
them Notwithstanding all this the evidence was sufficient
strong and conclusive their conviction The
jury BROUGHT verdict Of guilty. and the judge sentenced
them to be hung in hour from the of the sournmcL
of the court The prisoners escorted the little plaza
front Of the village church where the priest met he to
give such consolation bis holy Office would permit but
their conduct notwithstanding the desire the part Of all to
afford them every comfort that their position would allow,
continued reckless Careless and Indifferent until the last
moment
The sun was setting when they arrived the place Of exc
cuton Immediately the citizens formed circle around
gaowsee to prevent any rescue which there was every
reason believe would be attempted 1t fast growing
dark and the busy actions of large number Of the associates
Of the condemned dividing and collecting again in small bo
dies different points around and outside Of the party, and
then approaching and the CENTRE proved
an attack designed if the slightest chance given 1t
with difficulty that the sentence of the law
executed but last they hung, to each branch Of
young alamo tree The entire proceedings intense
y interesting and the of character hope be
compelled witness again. The firm determined front Of
outraged citizens the side, and the bold and daring
companions Of vany the other both cooy watching each
other the first for the protection of life and the support of
peace and good order in the community the other with the
malicious eyes Of disappointed and nfuated devils who
rescue their evil companions, would have been willing
cIifce hundred additional lives.
The lanterns lent pale and Pickering light to those who
taking the bodies down for their removal to the Jail for
safekeepng until the Alexander McNiven,
orious villain and horse thief following after the bodies
and on approaching the Jail begged pad and trembling
lips, be put into the with the remains Of hs
companions There never intention to do any thing
Of the kind but mention this fair example Of the
ardce which prevails among the desperate despeadoes
Saturday. February l-Eary in the morning the bodies
Of Craig Butler, and Wade, removed for intermen
M the citizens and strangers assembled the house
where the body of Clarke waiting its final removal to ths
place selected for its sepuure An orderly and regular pro
cession formed and, preceded by the priest with all th
insignia of the holy Catholic church, the body carried t
the grave in the cemetery, front Of the church, where
the conclusion of the Catholic service that of the Epcopa
was read and the remains Of the murdered man were left
their last resting place. After these mournul ceremone
concluded became necessary meet and consider h
Of Alexander McNven The Of the day previous
and the reflections Of the past night had causeda great chang
in this bold desperate and with solemn promise that
would abstain from liquor from that date it to quo
alone he charged his improper conduct he discharged
rendering himself liable certain punishment should he a
respect his solemn obligation made in open court AT
down McNven far the road, with his mouth full
| promises to do better in the future.
Socorro became quiet orderly, and pleasant place
dwell in but there still other, and he the prncpa
in all these scenes who be apprehended
pay the penalty Of all his great crimes before This severe les
son for all evil-doers would be complete.
Four hundred dollars subscribed and offered
ward for the arrest Of Alexander Young and his delivery
Socono. Volunteer parties out in all directions
others looking for him. tempted by the prospect gain
ing the large reward AT length, the morning of the lth
reached his arrest and that in the evening be would
be delivered Socoo Another unpleasant but
duty presented ITSELF but impossible to avoid it,
Young arrived in the evening, placed in Jail, well
chained and guarded 10 o'clock the following morning being
appointed for his trial. During the night he visited in
jail the Careless dogged look had left bis eye, and the sup
pcang nquring glance told plainly Of change within the
inner man. He was anxious know if either Of the three
previously hung had made confession not and said be
had given up all hopes Of escaping Being asked be wish
ed to write TO one he answered that he would like to
him for six years past The letter was written, and the
prisoner appeared much affected He confessed the truthful
ness of the charges against him. eliminating clearly, and in
still worse light the three who hung rst besides many
others He did think there any hope for him after
DEATH but would try and turn his thoughts heavenward. He
then kne down and prayed, after which he left alone
At 10 o'clock A. M, February 18th, the court met jury
impannelled &C., Notwithstanding the ncemency Of the
weather and the heavy falling snow which rendered the duties
Of the morning douby unpleasant At the opening OF the
court letter of the prisoner containing his confession,
read publicly then signed by himself and witnessed by
tain members of the and other individuals there present.
With the testimony already before the court the jury could
have brought in immediate verdict of gulty but it
deemed advisable present other evidences to show still
further the unmistakabe guilt of every who had been
punished especially it the interest of
who passing for honest honorable men, up
hold the characters Of their associates The prisoner
found guilty and sentenced to be hung Ala p M. he
taken the church, where with penitent lips and pen
tent knees he made his final confession received blessings
IN uhe he