The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-04-08

another foul murder; for had but reasonable number OF
their body presented ilse al Soeouo immediately, the
mu deres would have been frightened OF driven from
the place The alcade OF the village weak and seky
mbecile, had transferred his authority to person even
more tlmd and less reliable than himself IS this per-
invested with The powers OF justice OF the
peace, by authority OF commission from The State OF
Texas This person constituted The entire civil author
ty al Socorro. The few members OF The boundary
commission present were compelled To resolve upon
plan Tor the protection not only OF their own lives
and property but also for The protection OF the trembling
and dismayed population. Messengers were mmedl.
atey sent 10 San Ezaro, for assistance from the main
body OF The commission there engaged IN various duties
The call was promptly responded TO- and In abou. three
hours party OF Mex'cans and Americans, which we
had hastily armed were joined by the other members OF
the commission, and likewise many OF the villagers
from below The force was divided, and every sus
peeled house searched, by which they succeeded IN
resting eight or nine OF the parry; but Young the leader
had made his escape early the morning The prisoners
were Immediately carried TO the house OF Judge Brlhold
where court instituted TO sult the emergencies OF
The case jurors summoned aud sworn. prosecn
Ting attorney named, and counsel Tor defence offered 10
The prisoners, which they declined receiving treating the
Offer as Jest and making vulgar aud obscene remarks
upon their position They were evidently under The I'M
preston that nothing would be done believing that, oS
The mutual understanding between each one and the
other ct them, they could easily themselves out OF
the difficulty. The examinations were conducted with
popnety and The prisoners were made TO Keep silence by
the armed and determined front presented BY the citizens
present
The court continued It's sitting until after dark. when
Craig Wade and Butler were ordered to be confined in Jail
un len O'clock OF the following morning, TO which hour
there was an adjournment During the examination
many threats were openly made, and information had
been received that rescue would be attempted II the
prisoners strongly guarded, and in consequence
guard, composed of six well armed men, was kept all
night in the jail.
On Friday, the 3lst, At 10 O'clock M The cour, me,
pursuant 10 adjournment and proceeded To try William
Craig, John Wade, and Marcus Butler for aiding and
abelng in the murderous assault upon Edward c. Clark.
II was evident 10 all that much OF the testimony received
IN the examination OF the day previous not perfect
as might have BEEN had no, the witnesses been nmi
dated by the threats OF of the gang, who had been
heard to swear repeatedly tina, they would kill any
who testified TO aught agaAs Their companions, who
dared attempt 10 execute the laws upon them. Noiwh-
standing all this, the evidence sufficiently strong and
conclusive 10 insure their conviction. The jury brought
IN verdict OF gully" and the Judge sentenced them
be hung IN one hour from the time OF the adjournment OF
the court The prisoners escorted TO the little plaza
IN front OF the village church, where the priest met them
TO give them such consolation hls 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, careless and
indifferent, until the last moment
The sun was setting when they arrived al the place OF
execution. Immediately the citizens formed circle
around the gaows tree 10 prevent any rescue, which
there was every reason TO believe would be attempted
1t was last growing dark and the busy OF large
number of associates OF the condemned dividing aid col
Letting again in small bodies different points around
the outside OF the party and then approaching and
nearer 10 the centre, proved that attack designed
If the slightest chance given. Ii with extreme
difficulty that the OF The law executed but
at last they were hung-one TO each branch of young
" alamo" Tree. The entire proceedings intensely in
eresng and the scene OF character hope 10 be
compelled 10 witness again: the firm, determined front
OF outraged clizens the side, and The bold
daring companions OF villany the other, both cooy
watching each oiher-the first Tor the protection of life,
and the support OF peace and good order in The commu
niyi The other with The malicious eyes of disappointed
and inurtted devils who, 10 their evil compan.
ions. would have been willing to sacrifice hundred ad-
ditonal lives.
The lanterns lent a pale and Pickering light 10 those
who were taking the bodies down Tor their removal to
ne Iall Tor saiekeeplng until the morrow. Alexander
McNiven, notorious villain and horse-thief, TO-
lowing after the bodies, and approaching the Jail, he
begged, with paid and trembling lips, be pu, into
Tue same room with the remains Of his companions
There never was an intention 10 do anything OF The
kind but mention this as fair example of the COW
ardce which prevails among the most desperate despe
Tadoes.
Saturday, february Fairly in the morning the
bodies OF Craig Butler. and Wade removed Tor IN
termeht Al 2, m The citizens and strangers assem-
oled al the house where the body OF Clark was waiting
It's hnal removal 10 The place selected for It's seputue
An orderly and regular procession formed and pre-
coded by the priest with all the insignia of the H,l,
Catholic Church, the body carried 10 the grave in the
cemetery, in front OF the church. where at The conca
sion OF The Catholic service, that OF the Episcopal was
read, and The remains OF the murdered left in
Their last resting place. Alter these mourntul ceremonies
were concluded became necessary to meet and consider
The ease OF Alexander McNiven The scenes OF the day
Previous and the reflections Of the pas, night had caused
great change in this bold desperado and with solemn
promise that he would abstain from QuoI from that date
tas Il was 10 liquor alone he charged his improper con
duci) he was discharged. rendering himself liable
tam punishment should he fail to respect bis solemn ob-
cations made IN open court. AT shutdown McNiven
far the road. with his mouth full Of promises to do
better in future.
| oocofo now became quiet orderly, and a pleasant
place to dwell in but there still other and he
the principal actor IN all these scenes, who be
appreheoded and pay the penalty OF all his great crimes
before this severe lesson for all evdoers would be
pleie
-Four hundred dollars subscribed and offered az
reward Tor the OF Alexander Young, and his de-
livery alive at Socouo. Volunteer parties out in
all directions and others looking for him. tempted
by The prospect OF gaining the large reward offered At
eHglh, on The morning OF the Ill., news reached OF
hls arrest and that IN the evening he would be deliv
cred at Soeoo Another unpleasant necessary duty
presented itself, but II was impossible to avoid il
Young arrived IN the evening placed in Jail, well
chained and guarded-l0 o'clock the following morning
being appointed for his trial Daring the ugh, he was
visited IN jail the dareess logged look bad left his eye
and The tupplcang inquiring glance told plainly OF a
change within the inner lie was anxious 10 know
on and said he had given up all hopes OF escap
ing Being asked IT be wished TO write any one, ke
answered that he would like to have letter written to
ms mother who had not heard from him for six years
past The letter written, and the prisoner appeared
much Affected. He confessed his truihfuness of the
charge against him, eliminating clearly, and in still
worse hight the three who were hung first beside.
others. He did not think there was any hone for him
a'er deaih but would try and turn thoughts
ne then kne down and prayed after which he was left
alone - "
AT 10 O'Clock, a. m, February i2th the court meta
jury empanneed, &c, notw outstanding The nclemency
OF NE weather aud the heavy falling snow which rem.
dered the duties OF the morning doubly unpleasant Ar
the opening oil the court letter Of the prisoner contain
ing his confession, was read publicly then signed by
himself, and witnessed by cetin members of the com,
and other individuals there present