New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-05-10
THE BOUNDARY COMMISSION.
Tragic Scenes on the FrOntIer-Murder oil
Edward &. Clark-Arrest, Trial, COnvic-
ton and Summary Execution of the Muir


ton and Summary Execution of the Muir
deTer's AccempIicss.
SAN ELEzAEIo. Texas, Wednesday, FEB 5lt5l.
To the Editor Of The Tribune
The quiet Of this place was interrupted on the
morning Of the 3Oth ultimo, by the rumor that
Mr.. Edward c. Clark, Of the U. S. Boundary Com
mission. had been attacked by four of gang OF
lswless desperadoes, armed with Bowie knives
and Colts six shooters, and so seriously wounded
as to make recovery impossible. The excited
feeling OF the members of the Commission sta
toned at this place was manifested by the imme
date departure of fifteen, EARNED to the teeth
for the scene of murder, with the determined pur
nose OF melting due punishment to tho murderers'
Socorro, Texas, the headquarters of the Quar-
termsster and CommisGary Departments oil the
L. s. Boundary Commission, and distant aoout
four miles from San Elezario, has BEEN since the
arrival oftbe Commission, the retort of murderers
thieves gamblers, high way robbers and Burglars
with no occupation, no ostenSloe means Oh gam
ing A livelihood leading life Of dissipation, and
dependent upon midnight proving Tor their ne
cessary daily food. Generally speaking. they are
class Of men-outcssts from society," who nave
made their way 70 this unciviiZed frontier IN the
different capacities Of teamsters cooks, servants
etc 10 trains Of wagons which arrive here sew
eral times during the ear, from st Louis Ms
souri and ports the seRbOard Either from
misdeme anors or no longer use OF servlces-the
latter seldom, if ever, the case-they are DIS
charged, aud rove, " q band OF brothers, through
the country, pilagng and destroyln Ing whenever
their nece ssites demand.
on the arrival of the armed body At SOcorro
thew with others stationed at that place, divided
| themselves in small parties for the purpose OF
capturing those engsged in the murderous as
sault and found all, except one, wrapt 10 deep
I 81 tdr.Iph f nrgI
cipAl, Alexander Young, had lied short time
after the attack through the assistance OF one OF
his accomphces, TO + Psso, and thence 10 parts
unknown, though suspected
The NIGHT previous, an American citizen was
attacked by YouIg, armed win BOWIE AnIe
and escaped death by Hight bearing Win hlm'
however a slight cash IN his throat. "a tue
morning of the day which witnessed the attach
upon Mr. CLARK, he deliberately, with double
barrel gun, shot an innocent and unOnendlns man
"a cook-in the back, prostratlng and severely
wouncing him, draws SIX shooter anu AIS
him; rebs hls person OF about SlOV III eolu
stretches him out; cOses his eyes crosses DIS
bspos upon his breast and leaves him! hXulI
ing in tendish 10Y, and Unsuitable Tor human
blood then stalks about in mid day, orahdlshlng
his thirsty bowie knife, with the oiood oil lei
low beng staining its blade, and threatening WIN
instant Death the lives of several members o the
Commission. and blccrg defiance 20 lue civil
Abtborities No official notice was taken OF tnls
revolving buicheTy, because tae civil Authorizes
AN American Justice ofthe Peace and Mexican
Alcaldel and citizens lMexicansl were lntlmldAt
I'd BY threats, and fearful Of their lives and
property and II WAS only upon the preparation
Of those threats in the murder OF Nj CLARK, that
a check was put upon the impious career OF
himself and associates, by the prompt and IN
mediate action Of al indignant and aroused Com
mission.
Iron their capture, they were disHmsd, and
rhe Nou of a
The Peace where Court vas organized com
prisiDg Judge, Prosecuting Attorney Clerk oil
Court ard twelve JuTors-slx Americans and ak
MtxicaIs The prisoners. three IL number, were
arrAsued upon the charge OF aiding and aoetilng
In The muroefous assault upOa Ar. edward Y.
Clark. Of the L. 8 Boundary Commission, to
which charge they pleaded Not Guilty, andtne
examination Of witnesses commenced.
On the second Day Of the trlal, many others OF
the Commission arrived at the scene OF trlA,
armed with weapons Of every size and descrP-
tiou; thus presenting as formidable Courtroom
IS ever Wss Witnessed II ieudal times. Inc iaE
faces Of the American portion Of the Jury, Win
weapons resting upon their shoulders, and pipes
In their mouths presented a iOrclDe contrast 70
the Gwarthy CON plexion Of the Nexicans, muited
in cheQuered scraps, holding their broad brimmed
belEcTOEDsd bats In their hands, ard irsgue
delicate cigarritOs 10 their lips. The reckless
careless unoonceued bearing OF the prisoners,
presented striking difference 20 the grave, cour
teous determined nien Of the bench Toe dlHer-
emf groups Of members Of the Commission, WIG
various weapons, and CARDS diversified IS mucn
in Ityle as material. formed the back ground oil
picture that woSld call forth al the talent OF the
sIpst TO portray. r
Two days we occupied in the examination o.
Witnesses who established, beyond doubt the
guilt Of the prisoners. Counsel was oHeree tnem
al the commencement Of the trial, bur COME P1O'
ousy refused; however, on the appearances, on
the second day Of the srial OF member o. 1ue
Commission, read in lAw, one oil the p.is'lsIa
$1,000 bis .id az e,unsel His eliOrrs % prove
an abb TO impeach the testimony o. some Of toe
witnesses, TO establish the heretofore good CHAR