The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-04-08
From the New Orleans rieayune, March ~
The soooxso Trasediss.-mexiean boundary Coma
snls.ious
SoooRRo, (El Palo County, Texas.)
EnhrlLnrni Ia ISsI

February lo 1851
EplroRs PoAYuKE: Circumstances have lranspi,ed at
this place within ne last three weeks well calculated 10
attract The attention Of The people OF he United States
and as ii is amporanl that facts should be known. if
possible. before Wrong impressions receive additional
suppor iron fS ing ard contradictory umors have un.
Se,iaken faithful sketch OF things as they have pre-.
scented themselves Before entering into particulars let
me preface sufficiently 10 nioim you that this Soeoua is
situated about niieen miles IRON FL Paso del Nozzle
proper about two miles from lslea, which lies between
and six miles from San Ellzano. The lasl-named town
lies further down the rser and is occupied by United
States troops,
During the year last passed several trains of wagons Tor
California and elsew here have passed through these vii
lagos, IN many instances stopping Tor weeks, awaiting
themselves oil The convenences presented Tor necessary
repairs and the recruiting OF animals II is well known
that with all these trains There are mole OF less IndYdu
ais OF doubtful character, and frequently number oil
renegades from justice, who offer themselves as cooks
servants, or for any low occupation, and Tor such a
trihlng compensation, thai many have been received
without proper inquiry having been made about iheir
standing character. The dsehalgiBg al different points
oil many worthless yagabond men near thus place had
thrown upon he peaceful nhabiaats OF the little village
sset OF unlans who by dal,y increase Of numbers
son whatever consdefed sale beyond the walls oil
his house and not within those limits even, the
following will show
The frst check given to this band of gamblers horse
thieves, and nIutdeers, The arrival the United
States and Mexican commission at Socorro which, for
the better this village presented the others
for The accommodation OF the larger portion OF the com
mission, with the necessary convenience ioI quarters,
storehouses, nc, Immediately selected. The pres
ence OF body oil well armed, weldsposed, and spirited
young Tended 10 make these fellows hide their heads
during the time that the greater portion OF The members
OF The commission were together; bu. dules connected
with the boundary survey had called oil different parties,
and in various directions. As the number OF the com
mission at Socono became reduced in the ratio were
lost the peace and quiet OF The village until al last, but
eleven reliable could be found TO muster for
combined defence, and neghborhood presented an
appearance OF The internal regions than that OF
place where human and civilized beings were known TO
Houses entertainment /,
and for the indulgence OF every vicious passion wicked
imagination might suggest Each midnight hour he:aded
anu oentmes bloody Tor the fast fill
ing record Of crime; each mornings though rising
beautiful and bright, could not warm The chilling
Non lay neayy on TIE hearts Of he emSS
and bloody deed, then FASTENED 10 pack their e store
of worldly wealth, and, with wives. children, all, fled
In vain they asked the meaning OF The clause in the
treaty OF Guadalupe Hidalso which promises that the
properly and interests OF Mexcans falling on hlS SIDE Of
The Rio Giande shall be protected that of any other
clz.n of the United States. What is the protection
which permits them 10 be driven IRON house and home,
yet never raises hand in their defence!
Thus we,e things. Each outrage escaping the no
uce OF those who mad power gave additional boldnes 10
the desperate gang surrounding The darkness OF nigh,
afforded sufficient time Tor ihem-lheir evil are
thrust, without fear or shame IN the very face OF the
MONDAY Sun. None dared stir from home without be
ing doubIy armed, and prepared TO their weapons al
moments warning, Tor the turning of corner had
brought some Immediately 10 the muzzes of dozen pis
tolls YOU will naturally inquire, 'wheTe were the au-
thorities" You shall learn lIom The sequel OF this
On Tuesday, the 2Sth Of January last Alexander
Young the principal ACTOR IN The scenes am about 10
write Of gave, as prelude 10 the bloody tragedies which
followed an exhibition OF his malicousnss by cutting
The neck OF the keeper of fonda which had been re
Gently started in The place. THIS taste OF blood ior
Young put him fresh trail, and he kept it like a
bloodhound. with pack OF many Others like himself
following at his heels and In the same pursuit With
pistols hand they paraded through The village in all
directions. and s'emlngy desHous o. committing murder
fellow is not sufficiently prompt 10 suli Their excited tan
cies Immediately pistol Is Ieyeed at his head, buI
thank God, the cap will ypode Now hear What
hendish pleasure the ruaHs laugh al the innocent mans
fright harmless Indian g,ri, shocked al their rude Ia
msr'ies seeks 10 escape, but finds her ptoiec
uon from the wholesale brutality dealt out TO all vino
dared TO present an appearance o! decency ant propey
The night of the 2sth has It's history the day OF the
29lh presents that which bears particularly upon
present object
About MIDDAY shortly Alter Part OF the band had
collected at the. iond&' oil The man who had been
wounded on the day previous; at this time peacea-
Bile person is passing by from shooting excursion his
fowng apiece ioclby taken from him BY tins Ale
der Young, who lakes II INTO and Kills
OF the The murderer then cooliy takes drink oil
liquor, is informed that hs victim is dead dying when
he enters where the body lies, stagheDs Snd
the hands and aims over the few minutes later
the crowd IS seen walking together up the road laughing
the bloody Decd aud threatening kill every one
or drive them from the place. John Woods, the muir
dered person IN this instance was generally known a
little. harmless old man, rather 10 be ped than feared
In the evening oil this same day person riding along
the road when six OF the band cooked and pointed their
al 10 return The road he
or be shot About nighttime, terror and dIsmay had
Swallowed every face within the village that belonged
the orderly part OF the community; was then resolved
to ask Tor assistance IRON the military post San Eliza.
no, about miles distant note written, stating
the necessity OF the case, with history OF the past
occurrences, and the condition OF things that time. In
about two hours The express returned with answer
declining 10 furnish any assistance, the plea that
should hrrt apply 10 the civil authorities.
Had there been any well known reliable civil an.
thorhes at SocorTo, such answer might be deemed
proper and excusable; but there and admit.
ting that there was, such fact could excuse The
tanning, insulting innuendo which closes the OF
the oicer applied 10, when he writes 81 should thak
that there good Gil enough Socofro who may
summoned BY The alealde TO protect The lives and prop
ey OF the inhabitants" To from lbe nedrtsl
military authority, the following reply made on the
Following morning, signed by the persons who had
addressed The hrst comm uDlcaiion
"SocoRRo (Texas,) Jan 80 1851.
sfRi Your note received asi night We regret The
cfcunssnces which rendered il Necessary lof A5enna,
cluzsns TO ask Tor prote ction American soldiers.
Inougn heTe are good ciuzeus enough Socoro " no
may oe summ0Md Tor the protection ofhfs propcy
yet thought those who were sent here Tor he mo-
'econ OF the same and the establishment Of
Order would have the best right take the business In
the non-exsence of any responsible aud reliable civil
thority at this place.
Trusting the ihtng number have present will
be sufficient for the protection OF ourselves and
iu inhaosns OF the village, very respectfully,
your obedent servants.
captain -, commanding San Elizario."
oo 'he night OF the goth, preceding The morning when
80 aoove hole was despatched dancing party was
wv. IN NE place, such being the only amusement which
~. s os a''otuel 10 those who were DESTROYS OF enjoy
~ ~ ,hn we ','ue society present The testimony
been eliced ~ uuns ihe night IN question, il has