The southern press., 1851-04-23
From the .hso Oriean Picayune, .9prI IL.
The s0cOrrO Affair.

ANOTHER AND DIFFERENT STATEMENT.
In this paper, on the 26th and 2sth ult., I'VE pub
shed accounts of truly tragcal affair In the
hanging Of certain individuals for acts of violence
and bloodshed at Socorro, in FL Paso county,
Texas. We received those accounts from source
altogether reliable, and it is true that the acts OF
awlessness and murder, as reported were COM
mtted but we have conversed with gentlemen
W no were in Socorro at the time, whose version
of the whole affair and circumstances connected
with il, give it somewhat different phases and
being DESTROYS that the matter should appear in
fair and impartial light before the public, shall
here give the statement subsequently received by
us. ...
We are informed that the Islands of armed ruff
fans" as they were styled in our previous ac-
counts were, many Of them, the transfers and
other subordinate employees ofthe Boundary Com
mission, who had been discharged at Socorro, by
the puartermaster, Mr.. James Myer, three thou
sand miles from their homes, without money,
provisions, or employment.
II is admitted that many acts of violence and
outrage were committed, as complained Of; but il
is told us that these things were done by frontier
desperadoes, who had been long time in the
country, and in no way connected with the COM
mission On the night of the 25th Of January,
the man named Alexander Young, who never had
been connected with or attached to the commits
sion, murdered without cause of proyocation, an
old and inoffensve man, named Wood, alta fan.
dango.
This man, Young, it may be well enough TO
state, was well known to two or the editors Of
this paper during the war in Mexico. He was
considered as desperate, dangerous, and untrust-
worthy character; sort OF hanger-on about the
camps of our army, pretending at times to act as
servant or guides but always looked upon by those
who knew him as a designing, unprincipled fel-
low, and daring punderer. He no doubt met
with his deserts when he vas hung.l
In regard to this case, we are now informed
IL
those persons who afterwards took so active and
interested a part in the capture, trial, and execu-
ton Of the men who were hung; but that, on the
contrary, Young, during the whole Of the next
day after the killing Of the old man Wood, was
at large in the streets Of Socorro and frequently
in company with his subsequent executioners.
Respecting the assassination Of the unfortunate
Edward G.. Clark, we are told that, notwithstand-
ing the murder Of the night before-thai Of Wood
Clark gave fandaDgo at house, rented by |
him for the purpose, at which these ''despera-
does'-Young included-were admitted. During
the night some disturbance and noise arose at the |
monte tables in adjoining apartments, which
Clark, as was his duty, endeavored to suppress;
and in attempting to preserve order, he wan
tonly attacked by Young with his bowie-knife,
from which he received some eleven wounds, sub
seouently causing his death When Young made |
this unprovoked assault on Clark, general row
took place. .......
We are further informed that the account Of the
nalreatment Of the whole party Of men and wo-
men on this occasion-placing sentinels at the
DOORS firing pistols at the candles, and otherwise
terrifying the women. &c.-all took IT'S origin in
the enlightened vision" Of our informant, "Philo |
Justice" Besides the murder Of Clark, Charles
Gates also received a wound from pistol-shot in |
attempting TO rescue Clark. 49,.
On the goth January, we are also further in
formed, there was great excitement among the
members Of the commission stationed at Socorro.
Ii Co. g.
sistance from the United States troops at that
place In the mean time, certain mer bers Of the
commission at Socorro met and held a consulta- |
ton, in which they unanimously agreed that this
band Of EARNED ruffans" should at once be ar.
rested and hung. They set to work Immediately, !
when Marcus Butler and William Craig were |
found at their quarters and arrested without re-
sstance. Mr.. Bartole, the acting Mexican al
calde, (not the chief justice,) called upon to
organize court; but he not unt erstanding the
English language, this was effected by an individ
nal attached to the commission, who in the vari- |
ous capacities Of Judge, interpreter, clerk and wit
ness, summoned a. jury composed Of six Ameti-
cans and six Mexicans--the six Americans being |
of the, number Of the commissioners who were
present that morning at the consultation, and who
had expressed opinions. The "court assembled
armed with rifles, six shooters and double-barrel
guns. Butler and Craig were put upon their tri-
al. John Wade, witness, was called to the bar,
sworn and examined; but not being able 10 answer
satisfactorily, he was told that he had "sworn
falsely and must take his seat with the prisoners
The trial progressed, when the testimony against
Butler not being. sufficient to convict him, one Of
the Jurors was qualified witness, and testified
that "Bntler had told him, on the way up to FL
Paso, that he, Butler, had hung two Mexicans
near San Antonio for stealing horses" The trial
was not closed until next day, the 3lst January,
when, after the testimony was concluded, the jury
retired TO make up verdict. Being absent, how
ever, longer than was deemed necessary, one Of
the d'court" entered the room where the jurors
were celebrating, and in few moments returned