Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1852-05-08
Important from Rio Grande.
Murder and Lynch Law.

By an arrival from the Brazos Santiago, say
the Bee, we are in possession of BrownsyiIl
papers to the 28th ult. The Rio Bravo o
that date contains the annexed interesting ant
important intelligence:
A party of gentlemen arrived last e%venin!
from Rio Grande City, from whom we learn tn
extraordinary events which form the caption o
this article. For want Of room we are oblige'
to give only the facts without any Of the atten
dant circumstances and particulars.
1t seems that a Mr.. Patten, a gentleman from
Brazos, Texas, formerly Of Missouri, started
from Rio Grande City, for the purpose of over
taking some stock, which was being driven into
the interior and stopped to sleep at a noted cam
ping ground, called "The Wells" Here were
encamped two Mexicans and a boy. Wher
Mr.. P. was asleep, he was set upon an his
brains beaten out by these fellows, for the sake
of his money and effects.
Information to this effect having been given
BY the boy, a party of citizens started out in
pursuit, and one of the fellows was taken. AT.
ter a regular trial he was hung by the citizens,
of Rio Grande City, in presence Of the whole
people--all concurfing. Just before his exc
cution, he made other confessions, from which a
party started from Roma, crossed the river, and
returned with the other fellow who had assis-
ted at the murder of Mr.. Patten.
After TIE same formalities had been extend
ed to him, he was also hung at that place. But
the work was not yet inished--justice was to
be administered to others,--a party started out,
and near the scene of the murder, charged upon
and killed six more of the villains, who have
been in the habit, for a long time, of commit
ting similar depredations in the vicinity. We
have neither space nor inclination to comment
upon these events. Those abroad can know
| nothing of Gus situation and the necessity for
such acts. 1t is sufficient to say that the whole
| people concurred in the executions.
We have yet to record another probable mur-
der, and probability the same gang of robbers
or one of its various ramifcations. Mr.. Thomas
H. Harris, of Roma, left Rio Grande City, for
this place, about sixteen days ago, and has not
since been heard from. There is scarcely a
doubt as to his fate.
If things 60 on at this rate, not a Mexican in
a short time, will be suffered to live upon this
side of the river.
ter from Rio Grande City, in which it is stated,
that the murderers confessed that a party, to
which they belonged, was organized on the 9TH
er side of tho river, for the express purpose of
numbering Americans, on this side of the river;
and that a large number of the gang are still
on this side.
Merican Irruption-American Settlers driren
from their Homes.
The house of Mr.. A. V. Edmondson, was at
tackled on Friday last, while the inmates, inclu-
ding himself and two or three other persons,
were totally unconscious of any danger. Upon
going to the door, Mr.. Edmondson saw that
the house was completely surrounded by Mexi-
can robbers, who upon his appearance, COM
menced to fire upon the house. Selling his |
arms, which we've unfortunately not in eondi-
ton for use, he called upon the others to follow |
him, and made a rush through the line and sue
ceeded i'm making his escape unhurt.
Many shots were fired after them, but none
took effect; one man, however, had three ball
holes through his shirt. Proceeding to a ranch
at some distance, they obtained some assistance
but returned too late to effect their purpose.
The place had been completely robbed of every
thing it contained--all the household furniture,
provisions, clothing, down to the smallest arti-
cles, were carried across the river, and all the
stock, consisting of twenty-five horses and
mules driven off, as they believe, in the direc-
ION OF Matamoras, ON the Mexican side of the
river.
ihio" "eiosS tHc river, LOOK place De-
'ween the parties, and the robbers, in d~erision,
'ald they had only now commenced, and intend
ID to rob every American on the river, and kill
hem if they could. They said they were act
ng under the orders of Gen. Canales. and thew
Intended shortly to attack and sack Browns.
lille. Threats of this kind have been frequently
made from persons over the way, and it is said,
in many instances, come from Mexican {
Ulcers.
ALI the settlers on the river are armino them.
elves, and intend to be prepared for future
Emergencies if they should arise. We under
tand that Mr.: %. intends making a demand up
n the authorities over the way, in relation to
his outrage. We do not believe this course
MI have any effect. 1t is the general opinion
all those nests of robbers will have to be 4
up before peace and harmony will be
Mr.. Edmonson's ranch is on the river. \
bout forty miles above Brownsville.
Mail Rider Killed By the Indians.
The mail rider, on his last trip up from this
lace, was killed by the Indians, about twenty
lles from Laredo, as we learn by a letter re- |
'lved by a citizen, from E. J. Davis, Esq, a.
wyer residing in that place. All the accounts
celVed from that quarter, speak in the most
and responding tone, of the probable.
! OF ever being relieved from the scourge with
hIeh they are so frequently visited. Most O fthe
ttiers nave re-crossed the river for protection.
ID their fields remain uncultivated. There is
1t one feeling on the subject upon the Rio A
fande, and that is, that an entire change in -
lat'on to Indian policy, must be adpoted by "