The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-04-09
From the .Nsw Orleans Pieayuns.
The 5ocorro Tragedies.
Merican Boundary Commission.
SocoRRo, Ell PAso County, Texas

SocoRRo, Ell PAso County, Texas,
Feb. l6, 1851.
Eds Circumstances have transpired al
this place, within the last three weeks, we'll cal
culated to attract the attention of the people oil
the United States and, as it is all,important
that facts should be known, if possible, before
wrong impressions receive additional support
from flying and contradictory rumors, / have un-
dertaken faithful sketch of things as they have
presented themselves. Before entering into
particulars, let me preface sufficiently to inform
you, that this Socorro is situated about fifteen
miles from Ell Paso del Norte proper, about two
miles from Isleta, which lies between, and six
miles from San Elizario. The last named town
lies further down the river, and is occupied by
United States troops.
During the year last past, several trains OF
wagons for California, and elsewhere, have
passed through these villages, in many instances
stopping for weeks, avaling themselves Of the
conveniences presented for necessary repairs,
and the recruiting of animals. II is well known
that with all these trains there are more or less
individuals of doubtful character, and, frequently,
a number of rencgades from justice; who, offer
ing themselves as cooks, servants, or any low
occupation, and for such a trihing compensation
that many have been received without a proper
inquiry having been made about their standing
and character. The discharging Mt different pc.
riods of many worthless and vagabond men
near this place, had thrown upon the peaceful
inhabitants of the little village set of rufians
who by daily increase Of numbers, had be.
come so formidable, that at last the life Of nc
person whatever was considered safe beyond
the walls of his own house, and not within those
limits even, as the following will show.
The first check given to this band of gamblers
horse-thieves and murderers, was the arrival oil
the United States and Mexican boundary com.
mission at Socorro, which, for the better re.
sources this village presented over the others
for the accommo iation of the larger portion Of
the commission, with the necessary conveniences
for quarters, store houses, &c, was Immediately
selected The presence Of body of well
armed wel-disposed and spirited young men
tended to make these fellows hide their heads
during the time that the greater portion of the
members of the commission were together, but
duties connected with the boundary survey had
called off different parties and in various drec.
tons. As the number of the commission at So
zorro became reduced, in the same ratio was
lost the peace and quiet of the village; until, al
last, but ten or eleven reliable men could be
found to muster for combined defence, and our
neighborhood presented an appearance more OF
the Internal regions than of a place where human
and civilized beings were known to dwell.
Houses were opened for the entertainment OF
all, and for the indulgence of every vicious pas
sion wicked imagination might suggest. Each
midnight hour heralded new scenes, and often
times bloody ones, for the fast filing record of
crime; each mornings sun, though rising beau
tifuI and bright, could not warm the chilling
sensation which lay heavy on the hearts of the
trembling Mexieans, as they listened to. the re-
cital Of some fresh and bloody deed, then has
tened to pack their little store ofworldly wealth,
and with wives, children, all fled quickly from
the rapidly depopulating village
In vain they asked the meaning of the clause
in the treaty of. Guadalupe de lGdalgo, which
promises that the property and interests of Mex
leans falling on this side of the Rio Grande shall
be protected as that of any other citizen Of the
United States. What is the protection which
permits them to be driven from house and home,
yet never raises hand in their defence?
Thus were things each new outrage escaping
the notice of those who had power, gave addi.
tional boldness to the desperate gang surround
ing us; the darkness of night afforded not sutii-
cient time for them; their evil acts thrust with
out fear or hame in the very face of the noon
day sun. None dared stir from home without
being doubly armed, and prepared to use their
weapons at a moments warning for the turning
of 4 corner had brought some Immediately to the
muzzles of dozen pistols. You will naturally
inquire "where were the authorities! :" You shall
learn from the sequel of this.
On Tuesday, the 18th of January last, Alex
andfr Young, the principal actor in the scenes
am about to write of, gave as n prelude to the
bio, dy tragedies which followed, an exhibition
of his righteousness by cutting the neck of the
q AZ L.l Al.
started in the place. This taste of blood for
Young put him on a fresh TRAIL and he kept il
like bloodhound, with pack of many Others
like himself following at his heels and in the
same pursuit With pistols in hand they par
AIDED. through the village in all directions, and
seemingly DESTROYS ofcommtting murder. They
enter Mexican's house, call for wine, the poor
fellow is not sufficiently prompt to suit their ex
cited fancies, Immediately pistol is leyeled Al
his head but, thank God, the cap will not ex
plode now hear with what fiendish pleasure the
rufljans laugh at the innocent mans fright. A
harmless Indian girl, shocked at theirrude fam
iliarities, seeks TO escape, but finds her sex nc
protection from the wholesale brutality deal
out to all who dared to present an appearance
Of decency and propriety. The night or th,
18th has its history the day of the 29th present.
that which bears more particularly upon our pre-
sent object.
About midday or shortly after, part of the
band had collected at the - fonda" Of the mar
who had been wounded on the day previous al
this time peaceable person is passing by from
a shooting excursion, his fowling piece is forci
bly, taken from him by this Alexander Young
who takes il into a house and kills an inmate OF
the same. The murderer then coolly takes a
drink of liquor, is informed that his victim i
dead or dying, when he enters where the body
lays, straightens il, and crosses the hands and
arms over the same few minutes later the
crowd is seen walking together up the road
laughing over the bloody deed, and threatening
to kill every one or drive them from the place
John Woods, the murdered person in this in
stance, was generally known as little harmless
old man, rather to be pititd than feared In the
evening of this same day, person was riding
along the road when six of the hand cooked and
pointed their pistols at him, forcing him to re
turn by the road he came, or be shot. About
nighttime, terror and dismay had Swallowed
every face within the village that belonged &c
the orderly part Of the community; it was then