The southern press., 1851-04-07
Rssx ks-JN>w Ostsaas Picayums.
Tho eoooEro Tragedies.
Mexican boundary Commission.
SocoRKo, Ell PAso County, Texas, !
Feb. l6, 1881.

Feb. l6, 1851.
Eds. Pic--Circumstanccs have transpired n
this place, within the last three weeks, we'll cal
culated TO attract tho attention of the people o
the United States; and, as it is allimportan
that facts should be known, if possible, before
wrong impressions receive additional support
| from flying and contradictory rumors, have un
dertaken u faithful sketch Of things as they have
presented themselves. Before entering into
particulars, let me preface sufficiently TO inform
you, that this Socorro ia situated about fftcer
miles from FL Paso del Norte proper, about two
miles from Isleta, which lies between, and six
miles from San Elzaro The last named town
lies further down the river and is occupied by
United States troops.
During tho year last past, several trains Of
wagons for Cal forna, and elsewhere, have
passed through these villages, in many instances
stopping for weeks, availing themselves of the
convenences presented for nece. cary repairs
and the recruiting of animals. II is well known
that with all these trains there.are more or l. Is
individuals of doubtful character, and, frequently
number OF renegadcs from justice; who, ollor-
| ing themselves ms cooks, servants, or any low
occupation, and for such trifing compensation
that many have been received without proper
inquiry having been made about their standing
RODS of many worthless and yagabond men
near this place, had thrown upon the peaceful
inhabitants of the little village set of ruifians
who by daily increase Of numbers, had be-
come 80 formidable, that at last the life of no
person whatever was considered safe beyond
the walls OF his own house, and not withinthose
limits even, rs the following will show
The first check given to this band of gamblers,
horse-theves and murderers, was the arrival of
the United States and Mexican boundary com
mission ut Socorro, which, for the better re.
sources this village presented over the others,
for the accommoia iation of the larger portion of
the commission, with the necessary conveniences
| for quarters store houses, &c, was immediately
selected. The presence of body of we'll
armed, well-disposed and spirited yonng men,
tended to make these fellows hide their heads
during the time that tho grea er portion of the
members of the commission We're together, but
duties connected with the boundary survey had
called off different parties and in various direc-
tions. As the number of the commission at So
corro became reduced, in the same ratio was
lost the peace and qniet of the village; until, at
last, but ten or eleven reliable men could be
found to muster for a combined defence, and our
neighborhood presented an appearance more of
the internal regions than of a place where human
NHu ClNHlLcu DtliinS WtTc knoWH 10 UWtlI.
Houses were opened for the entertainment of
all, and for the indulgence of every vicious pas
sion wicked Imagination might suggest Each
midnight hour heralded new scenes, and often
times bloody ones, for the fast filing record of
crime; each mornings sun, though rising beau
tiful and bright, could not warm the chilling
sensation which lay heavy on the hearts of the
trembling Meyicans, rs they listened to the re-
cital of some fresh and bloody deed, then has
tened to pack their little store worldly wealth,
and with wives, children, all fled quickly from
the rapidly depopuating village
In vain they asked the meaning of the clause
in the treaty of Guadalupe de Hdalgo, which
promises that the property and Interests Of Mex.
leans falling on this side Of the Rio Grande shall
be protected as that of any other citizen of the
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 addi.
tonal boldness to the desperate gang surround
ing us; the darkness of night afforded not su1i-
cient time for them; their evil acts thrust with
out fear or shame in the very face of the noon
day sun. None dared stir from home without
being douby armed, and prepared to use their
weapons at moments warming for the turning
of corner had brought some Immediately TO the
muzzes of a dozen pistols. You will naturally
inquire "where were the authorities :" You shall
learn from the sequel of this
On Tuesday, the 28th of January last, Alex
ander Young, the principal actor in the scenes
am about to write of gave as prelude to the
bloody tragedies which followed an exhibition
of his righteousness by cutting the neck of the
keeper of "fonda," which had been recently
started in the place. This taste of blood for
Young put him on 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 in hand they par
AIDED through the village in all directions, and
seemingly desrous ofcommitting murder They
enter Mexican's house, call for wine, the poor
fellow is not sufficiently prompt to suit their ex-
cited fances, Immediately pistol is leveled at
his head; but thank God the cap will not ex-
plode now hear with what fendish pleasure the
ruflians laugh at the innocent mans fright A
harmless Indian girl, shocked at their rude fam
illarities, seeks to escape, but finds her sex no
protection from the wholesale brutality dealt
out TO all who dared TO present an appearance
of dccency' and propricty. The night of the
2Sth has its history the day Of the 29th presents
that which bears more particularly upon our pre-
sent 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 time pcaccablc person is passing by from
a shooting excursion, his fowIing piece is forci-
bly, taken from him by this Alexander Young,
who takes it into house and kills an inmate of
the same The murderer then coolly takes
drink Of liquor, ia informed that his victim is
dead or dying, when he enters where the body
lays, straightens II, 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 threatening
TO kill every one or drive them from the place
John Woods, the murdered persvn in this in
stance, was generally known as n little harmless
old man, rather TO be piticd than feared. In The
evening of this same day, n person was riding
along the road when six of the band cooked and
pointed their pistols at him, forcing him to re.
turn by the road he came, or be shot About
nighttime, terror and dismay had shadowed
every face within the village that belonged to
the orderly part of the community; il was then
resolved to ask for assistance from the military
post nt San Eliyarjo nhout ay u,iIea distant =