The republic., 1851-04-09
+som Inc Nsu Orleans Picayune, March 81.
The Socorro TragedSes-MsxicaA boundary
COmllsisstoA.

COmAptsst02.
SocoRno, Gel PAso County, TsxAs,3
February 10, 1851.
EpIroRs PicAYUsz: circumstance have trans
pired at this place within the last thrcc weeks well
calculated to attract the attention of the people ol
the United Statts; and, nsit is all-important that
facts should be known, if possible, before wrong
impressions receive additional support from flying
and contradictory rumors, ! have undertaken a
| faithful sketch Of things as they have presented
themselves. Before entering into particulars, let
me preface sufficiently to inform you that this So
corro ia situated about fifteen miles from FL Paso
del Norte proper, about two miles from Isleta,
which lies between, and six uies from San Eliza
rio. The last named town lies further down the
river, and is occupied by United States troops.
During the year last past several trains Of wa
gons for California and elsewhere have passed
through these villages, in many instances stopping
for weeks, nvailing themselves Of the convcniences
presentation repairs and the recruiting Of
animals. II is well known that with all these trains
there more lcss indiv iduals Of doubtful cha
racter, and frequently number OF renegadcs from
justice, who offer themselves cooks, servants,
for any low occupation. and for such trihing
compensation that many have been received with
out q proper inquiry having been made about their
standing character. The dischargng at different
points OF many worthless and vagabond men near
this place had thrown upon the peaceful inhabi-
tants OF the little village set OF rufians who. by
a daily increase OF numbers had become 30 formi.
dable that at last the life of no person whatever
was considered safe beyond the walls of his own
house, and not within those limits even, as the fol-
lowing will show
The frat check given to this band of gamblers.
horse thieves, and murderers, was the arrival OF
the United States and Mexican commission at So
corrO. which, for the better this village
presented over the others for the accommodation Of
the larger portion Of the commission, with the
was Immediately selected. The presence of body
Of wcll-armed, we'll 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 Oft different parties, and in various direc
tions. As the number of the commission at Socor-
70 became reduced in the same ratio were lost the
peace and quiet Of the village, until, at last, but
ten eleven reliable men could be found to muster
for combined defence, and our neghborhood pre-
sented an appearance more OF the internal regions
than that Of 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 passion wicked imagination
might suggest. Each midnight hour heralded new
scenes. and oitentimes bloody ones, for the fast fill
ing record of crime; each mornings sun, though
rising beautiful and bright, could not warm the
chilling sensation which lay heavy on the hearts
Of the trembling Mexicans, as they listened to the
recital of some fresh and bloody Decd then hasten
ed to pack their little store Of worldly wealth. and
with wives, children, all, fled quickly from the
rapidly dePopulating valley.
In vain they asked the meaning OF the clause in
the treaty Of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which promises
that the property and interests of Mexicans falling
this side OF the Rio Grande shall be protected
that of any other citizen of tho 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 additional
boldness to the desperate gang surrounding US; the
darkness of night afforded not sufficient time for
thcm-their evil acts are thrust, without fear or
shame, in the very face Of the MONDAY sun. None
dared stir from homo without being doubly armed,
and prepared to use their weapons at a moments
warning, for the turning Of corner had brought
some Immediately to the muzzles of q dozen pistols
You will naturally inquire, "whcre were the au
horites?" You shall learn from the sequel of this
On Tuesday, the 26th of January last, Alexander
Young, the principal actor in the scenes am about
to write Of gave, as prelude to the bloody trage
dies which followed, exhibition Of his malicious
ness by cutting the neck Of the keeper Of "fonda"
taste Of blood for Young put him q fresh trail,
and he kept ii like bloodhound, with pack Of
many others like himself following at his heels and
in the same pursuit. With pistols in hand they
paraded through the village in all directions. and
seemingly desirous of committing murder. They
enter Mexicans house-call for wine; the poor
fellow is not sufficiently prompt TO suit their ex
cited fancies; Immediately pistol is levellcd at
his head, but thank God, the cap will not explode
Now hear with what fiendish pleasure the rufians
laugh at the innocent mans fright. harmless
Indian girl, shocked Mt their rude familiaritics,
seeks to escape, but finds her protection
from the wholesale brutality dealt out to all who
dared to present an appearance Of dccency and
propriety. The night Of the 2Sth has it's history !;
the day Of the 29th presents that which bears more
particularly upon our present object.
About midday, or shortly after, part of the band
had collected at the " fonda" of the man who had
been wounded on the day previous; at this timea
peaceablc person is passing by from shooting ex-
him by this Alexander Young, who takes it into a
house and kills an inmate of the same. The MUIR
dcrcr then cooy takes drink Of liquor. is inform
ed that his victim is dead dying when he enters
where the body lies, straghens 1t, and crosses the
hands and arms over the same. A few minutes
later the crowd is seen walking together up the
road, laughing over the bloody deed, and threaten
ing TO kill every one or drive them from the place.
John Woods, the murdered person in this instance,
was generally known q little, harmless old man,
rather TO he ptied than feared. In the evening Of
this same day person was riding along tho road,
when six of the band cooked and pointed their pis
tolls at him, forcing him to return by the road he
came, or be shot. About night-t time terror and
dismay had shadowed every face within the village
that belonged to the orderly part of the commu
nifty; it was then resolved to ask for assistance
from the military post at San Ehzario, about six
mies distant. note was written, stating the ne
cessy Of the case, with history Of the past occur
rences, and the condition ofthings at that time. In
about two hours the express returned, with an an
swer declining to furnish any assistance, on the
plea that we should first apply to the civil authori
ties.
Had there been any well known or reliable civil
autuoINicb NJ OOCOrIO, buCu nn hubWeE HABut
be deemed proper and cxcusable; but there wore
none; and, admitting that there was, such fact
could not excuse the taunting, insulting innuendo
which closes the note Of the officer applied to- when
he writes: 81 should think that there good citi
zens enough in Socorro who may be summoned by
the acalde to protect the lives and property of the
inhabitants" To this note from the nearest mill.
tary authority, the following reply was made on
the following morning, signed by the same persons
who had addressed the first communication:
"SocoRRo, (TExAs,) Jan. 80. 1851
'SIR: Your note received last night We
regret the circumstances which rendered it neccs-
sary for American citizens to ask for protection
from American soldiers.
Though there are good citizens enough in So
corro who may be summoned for the protection Of
life and property, we yet thought that those who
were sent here for the protection Of the same, and
the establishment of somc kind of order, would
have the best right TO take the business in hand,
especially as it il well known, both far and near,
Of tho nonexisence of any responsible and reliable
civil authority at this place.
"Trusting that the trifiing number we have pres
ont will he aufficicut the Drotec tim Of onr-