New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-02-05
Core spoldence of The N. Y. Tribune.
,AGIR Pass, (Texss1 Thursday, Jan. /, IS

Cor1fspoLuenCe OF Inc N L. iflouLe
EAGLE PASS, (Texss,) Thursday, Jan. /, 1852.
SIR beg to transmit to you the follow
ing account of willful murder perpetrated at Eagle
Pass Texas the evening OF the 9th ult at about
: o'clock of John Clark, private soldier, OF Com
pany d, First Infantry. The circumstances are
briefly as follows: $3.50 ,
CLARK the deceased, in company with three other
priva,es from the garrison, proceeded to the unll-
ceused tavern Of Richard Madison (lately appointed
Justice Of the Peace for the County OF De Bexar,)
as customary, to procure some liquor. While CLARK
was standing at the bar, notorious sc0undIe named
Mortimer Cook, supposed to be native OF Mans
field Ohio and late discharged soldier from the
garrison fort Duncan,) rushed into the bar with a
oaded six -shooter in his hand, took deliberate aim
at Clark, and shot him de ad, a. the same time calling
him abusive names. The ball first mang the fore
fpper of his left hand before entering his right
breast, where it lodged. The deceased was a native
of the city of Dublin, Ireland, and baker by occu
ration, and most inoiiensive man. lie was, AZ the
time, under the influence OF liquor
Cook then aimed his pistol az one OF the oIher men,
named Mcdonnell. Two caps exploded, but, iorsu-
nately, the pistol did not go of, when he struck
Nice. blow with the pistol which knocked him
down he then Jumped on and kicked him.
The officer of the day, with file of the guard
from the garrison, repaired TO the scene OF the out
rage and In half an hour AFTER succeeded IN arrest
ing Cook, and had him safely lodged in the guard
house at the garrison. The officers OF the garrison,
with few respectable citizens, (disnterested men)
are OF the opinion that the deceased came TO nus
death by the hands of Cook, as described who
prowled about ever since discharged the service,
ieekirg revenge for imaginary injuries done him.
while serving as soldier. IL appears from MS
threats repeated, thu. his commanding oficer, or
some of the non. commissioned officers had been the
object OF his diabolcal design, having reduced MIN
from LIST sergeant 10 the rank Of private for re-
peaed acts OF indiscipllne, &c.
Ii may not be amiss 10 viewer, to remark that some
O, the citizens of the village above cited me! Ihe
day previous, the 26ih,) al the house OF Richard
Msson, J. p, and passed the following resolution
unanimously, IN the presence OF Cook VINO was In
CONSEQUENCE stimulated thereby to commit the faal
deed TO CRAFTY his thEs ing desire for revenge.
RtSoirGa Tha shall aud may he lawful Tor asy Oh OUT
czens ia council assembled, or otherwise 70 thoS uesa
sny soldier belonging the garrsos Aforesaid who may
hereafter be fOnnd within the precncs o! our village so as
to prevent the further aggression of the soldiers Oh ON
That Mr. Mortimer Cock be hereby appointed Deputy
Sheriff of sad County, he beng duly authorized 70 carry
The of the army And further pledge cur
selves protect him or hem from any punishment which
The reue al law might ind ct ID snch cases
fl is to be hoped. no seyer, that the Government
VII acknowledge Mr.. Richard Madison as j. P
as a competent and qualified person to hold thes COM
mission of the peace. Keeping an unlicensed house
for the sale of liquor TO soldiers; and gambling
house open at all hours to all parties, resort for
thieves and Northumberland thereby protect him In
his vilsnyMadison has raised himself to his pres
ent position from the sale OF liquor, IL common
tent, 10 soldiers who spent their money freely with
him Cook has since 0een set at large, and escorted
into Mexico By his fris s-demandet, and released
by Mir. Madison, who claims the night as matter
OF course, civil officer. What may turn out from
spcn course Of procedure nobody can tell
1t quite eylcent that the foregoing resolutions,
passed by Mr.. III. end his associates nave had the
desired effectto stimulate Cook to commit the afro
cious and that tae citizens are accessory TO Inc
murcer of Clark. Such are the laws dictated IN
Texas in our enlightened country. Equal justice Is
by no means administered In this case AID, annci-
pating q repetition, l say let them contnue their
course and time will tell the tale
Moat respectfully, SOLDIER