The republic., 1851-04-09

The morning following, horror and dismay werc
depicted in tbs faces of ALL What was TO be done
The military had refused TO aid w, and We felt
| that, whatever might have been their excuses,
| their compliance with request had permit
ted the perpetration of another foul murder; for
| had but a reasonable number Of their body pre-
sented itself at Socorro Immediately the murderers
would have been frightened or driven from the
place. The alcalde of the village, = weak and
| person more timid and lcss reliable than him
self; yet this person invested with the powers
OF justice Of the peace. by authority of c0mmis-
sion from the State Of Texas. This person consti-
tuted the entire civil authority at Socorro. The
| lew members OF the boundary commission present
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 trembling and
dismaycd population. Messengers were imms-
diately sent to San Elizari0, for assistance
from the main body Of the commission there en-
gagged in various duties; the call was promptly
| responded to, and in about three hours : Dsrtv
of Mexicans and Americans, which we had
hastily armed, were joined by tho other men,
bers of the commission. and Likewise many Of the
villagers from below The force was divided aud
every suspected house searched, by which they
succeeded in arresting eight nine of the party;
but Young, the leader, had made his escape early
in the morning. The prisoners were Immediately
carried TO the house of Judge Berthold. where Z
court was instituted 10 suit the emergencies Of the
case; jurors were summoned and sworn, prose-
cutting attorney aaIned, and counsel for defence
offered to the prisoners, which they declined re-
ceiving, treating the offer a. Jest, and making
vulgar and obscene remarks upon their position.
They were evidently under the impression that
tual understanding between each one and the other
OF them, they could easily swear themselves out Of
the difficulty The examinations were conducted
with propriety, and the prisoners were 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 were ordered to be-
confined in Jail until ten O'Clock Of the following
morning, to which hour there was adjournment.
During the examination many threats were openly
made, and information bad been received that q
not strongly guarded. and in consequence guard
composed Of six well armed mon was kept allnight
in the jail
On Friday, the alst, at 10 O'Clock, a. M. the
court met pursuant to adjournment, and pro-
ceeded to try William Craig. John Wade, and
Marcus Butler, for aiding and abetting in the MUIR
derous assault upon Edward G. Clark. twas evi-
dent to all that much Of the testimony received in
the examination of the day previous was not as
perfect as it might have BEEN had not the witnesses
been intimidated by the threats of some Of the
gang. who had been heard to swear repeatedly that
they would kill any one who testified to aught
against their companions, who dared attempt to
execute the laws upon them. Notwithstanding all
this. the evidence was sufficiently strong and con-
ciusive to insure their conviction The jury brought
in verdict of gully, and the judge sentenced them
to be hung in hour from the time Of the adjourn
mcnt Of the court. The prisoners were escorted
to the little plaza in front of the village church.
where the priest met them to give them such con-
| ISOLATION 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 reckless, care
less and Indifferent. even until the last moment.
The sun was setting when they arrived At the
place OF execution. Immediately the citizens formed
cue, which there was every reason to believe would
be attempted. 1t was fast growing dark, and the
busy actions of large number Of associates of the
condemned, dividing and collecting again in small
-
party, and then approaching nearer and nearer to
the centre, proved that an attack was designed If
the slightest chance were given. 1t was with ex-
treme difficulty that the sentence Of the law was
executed; but at last they were hung-onc to each
branch Of a young "alamo' tree. The entire pro-
ceedings were intensely interesting, and the scene
OF character hope never to be compelled to wit
ness again-the firm, determined front of outraged
citizens on the one side, and tho bold and daring
companions of viany on the other, both coolly
watching each otherthe first for the protection Of
community; the other with the malicious eyes of
disappointed and infuriated devils, who, to rescue
their evil companions, would have been willing to
sacrifice hundred additional lives.
The lanterns lent pale and fickering light to
those who were taking the bodies down for their
moval to the Jail for safekecping until the morrow
Alexander McNiven, notorious villain and horse-
thief, was following after the bodies, and, ON ap-
preaching the jail he begged, with pallid and tre
bling lips, not to be put into the same room with
the remains of his companions. There never was
| ou AulcuuoH W 10 any tul0R OF the RlQOs Out
mention this as fair example Of the cowardice
which prevails among the most desperate despera-
does.
Saturday, February 1.-Early in the morning the
bodies OF Craig, Butler, and Wade were removed
for interment. At p. IN. the citizens and stran-
gers assembled at the house where the body of
Clark was waiting it's final removal to the place
selected for its sepulture An orderly and regular
procession was formed and, preceded by the priest
with all the insignia of the Holy Catholic Church,
the body was carried to the grave in the cemetery,
IN front OF the church, where, at the conclusion of
the Catholic service. that Of the Episcopal was
read, and the remains of the murdered man were
left in their last resting place. After these mourn
ful ceremonies were concluded, 1t became necessa-
~ to meet and consider the case Of Alexander Me.
Niyen. The scenes Of the day previous, and the
reflections of the past night, had caused . great
change in this bold desperate; and, with a solemn
promise that he would abstain from liquor from
that date, Gas it to liquor alone he charged his
improper conduct) he was discharged, rendering
himself liable to certain punishment should he fail
to respect his solemn obligations made in open
court At sundown McNiven was far upon the
road with his mouth full Of promises TO do better
in future.
Socorro now became quiet. orderly. and plea
SAINT 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 the penalty of
all his great crimes. before this severe lesson for
all evil. doers would be complete.
Four hundred dollars were subscribed ana Offer
ed as a reward for the arrest of Alexander Young.
and his delivery alive at Socorro. Volunteer par
ties were out in all directions, and others were
looking for him, tempted by the prospect of gain
ing the large reward offered At length, on the
morning of the l1th, news reached US Of his ar
rest, and that in the evening he would be delivered
at Socorro. Another unpleasant but necessary
duty. presented ITSELF but it was impossible 70
avoid it.
Young arrived in the evening, was placed in
Jail, well chained and guardcd-10 O'Clock the fol-
lowing morning being appointed for his trial.
During the night he was visited in Jail; the dare
less, dogged look had left his eye, and the suppli-
within the inner man. He was anxious to know IL
either of the three previously hung had made
confession or not, and said he had given up all
hopes OF escaping: Reing asked If he wished to
write to any one, he answered that he would like
to have letter written to his mother who had not
heard from him for six years past The letter was
written, and the prisoner appeared much affected.
He confessed the truthfuness of the charge arainst
him. eliminating clearly, and in still worse