New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-06-22
SAN JUAN.
Large Robbery-GeneraI ExcitemeDt-Triai-
Sentence OF Death-Execution.
penceroe Of The n. T. Tribune.
Say IIrAN DEL Nnnrz NV 40 1870

Correspondence Of The n. Y. Tribune.
SAN JUAN DEL NoRTE, May 30, 1882
On the evening of the oath instant, the
room Of P. Lafargue, Prenchman from California en-
route for the States. the American Hotel broken
into during supper and the trunk OF Mr. L. broken open
and robbed of twentyseven thousand three hundred
and fifty dollars in gold dust coin and jeweIry The
oss was discovered few minutes after the perpera-
ton OF the robbery and alarm given, and suspicion inn
medatey rested upon of class of sporting gentry
with which town Is infested, many Of whom we're
arrested and them named John Phillips alias Bill
Clifford, and James Powers held for trial The Csifor-
nians in town, numbering about two hundred and fifty
were strongly disposed to give them taste Of primitive
California law, which the authorities here Of course
would not permit
On the morning of the 26h, the Californians deter
mined TO capture the prisoners at all risks, and made
an organization for that purpose The citizens were
Immediately called to arms-the Police Station garri-
soDed-csnnon loaded with grape and canister planted
at each door, and every preparation made defend
city and our laws At length IL announced that the
attack would be made at o'clock 10 the afternoon Ia
the meantime an offer Of $500 had been made to the
boy who the principal witness against the prisoners
TO induce him to leave town prior TO the trial, watch
was fixed for Friday the 2S.h inst This proposition
having been made by of the Policemen, and reach
ing the of the Califor nans enraged them still
The Mayor having heard of it, Immediately arrested the
and placed him In irons, and sent the boy under
strong guard off TO the u. steamer Sarsnac Toward
O'Clock in the afternoon Capt Prendergas ofthe Sara
mac ashore and made speech 10 the excited Cal
ifornans, recommending them to suffer the authorities
10 proceed with trial of the prisoners without inter
ference from them; TO refrain from outrage Of any
sort and TO disperse quietly. The crowd reluctantly
obeyed the Captain, and moved slowly off breathing
vengeance if the prisoners escaped, or the money was
not recovered.
From this time the police station was guarded night
and day by the citizens, and on Friday tina 2sd inst
the prisoners brought up for trial. pleading not
guilty. The Jury sworn from among the citizens
of the town and the trial proceeded lasting about eight
hours. The prisoners produce two Witnesses named
John Jackson alias Broky jack and James Thompson,
whose testimony, if accepted, would have proved an
abb In the case Of the accused The evidence against
them purely circumstanra buI Of clsar nature
not 10 admit of doubt ne TO the guilt OF the prisoners
The Jury about ten minutes and returned with
verdict Of guilty. Sentence deferred u1til 10
O'Clock Saturday morning IL was however, clearly
dersiood that the sentence would be death.
Early on Saturday morning, Philips one Of tho con.
vcted, made confession duplicating this same
Thompson" and Broky Jack" the former being al
ready under arrest for the charge Of perjury the latter
had absented himself Philips conducted the guard
to the spot where the treasure buried and alter
searching, they found one bag Of geld dust contain
ing about one thousand dollars, aud box Of jsw
cry the fest had been so,trsc,ed supposed 6y Bro
Powers until search could be made for the other VII
LAIN but could be found and this morning (Sun
day. James Thompson was brought up for trial, and
pleaded not guilty finding that the confession Of
Philips clear against him, he withdrew that plea
and entered plea OF guilty
This afternoon the three convicts were each SEN
fenced 10 be hung tomorrow, between ten and four
o'clock This sentence ives imposed under the Englsn
Common Law without the statutory revisonsD which
had been adopted with the new Constitution Ia Aphl
last Another member Of the same ships company
with Nj Lafargue was attacked by highwaymen, Amer.
leans and Spanards In the road between san Juan del
Sur and Virgin and robbed OF his three years earn
inps about eight thousand doars 'bberie' have
been very frequent this route but trust have
now got hold the leaders OF the gang and meant
exiirpate the whole of them.
The American Commissioner, Mr.. walsh, and the
British Consul General Mr. Wyke, arrived In the sara
rae, and will proceed Immediately 70 San Jose, Costa
Rica and from thence TO Nicaragua The Saranac sailed
ON the 9th for Havana.
Tbs brig Frederic. of Boston from New.York, sailed
from this port about the 9th inst tor the West ndie'
ard returned the Goth inst all hands sick with fever
The Captain died the l6h and was buried at sea-
The vessel was taken charge of by the autho rites, and
will be sent home IN charge of a competent ister
The river Is rising rapidly and more extraordinary
detention Of passengers need be apprs Blended Town
quite healthiul All tranquil In the interior will
postscript to morrow. HIS.
p. S.-Monday 3lSt.-The tragedy is
CON plee James Thompson, alias Jim Conner was
this day executed, and John Philips alias Bill Clifford
and James Powers, were repreved BY the City Coun.
Gil on the gslows, after every preparation had been
made for their execution and their punishment comma
tee 10 receive ulty anu W 70 VI tuO
palm of the band with the letter T. and bsnsbed from
the town under penalty of ,ath If they return The
rroc ct dpKs incident the trial. conviction and pun
ishrnent OF these criminals, were conducted with
due regard to decency sno propneey. Inc cazeos
were obliged to protect them from "mob law" aud
from release by their conf-deraes. Attacks from one
or the other constantly apDrehended, requiring
the utmost vigilance and activity on the part OF cur
worthy Mayor, T. J. Martin, Esq and our citzens.
Thompson confessed 10 having planned In connection
with Philips the robbery of the house Of BeschOr Co.
which was TO have been attempted this week. Iney
had provided the instruments, and had poisoned tue
docs belonging 10 the house lie had been under SEN
tence Of death In the States had been Ia State Prison.
and had heen whipped ana branded Cliff 'rd is NJ tort
ous on the Mississippi for his numerous roooeres. and
has confessed TO a recent highway robbery at Panama
The cemency of the City Council In his case Is rather
questionable He is young man OF prepossessng ap-
pearance well educated and respectfully CONNECTED
HIS friends reside at ChaIlcstown Mass Powers IL, ac
coTong TO the testimony of the other Villains Innocent
OF the robbery here, but was aware OF Its contenPa'
ton and commission. -
w r. Boone Esq late U s Consul at San Juan del Sur
is located here as Commercial Agent Of the loited
states have been informed that Commander Reade
of U M brig Express who fired into the PromeIheus
In Novenoer last has been dismissed the service.
June 7th -brcky Jack was caught yesterday, ater
having subsist, for ten days in the woods sleeping on
board wreck DUNG the nights. II. L. D.
Celebration of Independence.
On the od of June the British steamer of