The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-06-05

The Halifax Republican Of the Slst ulk, says:4
We nave Tine prospect for good crops this year
Inc late warm weather and copious showers Of rain
nave caused vegetation to grow OF rapidly and
loxurianty. Wheat and OATS which look very finely
will soon be ready for harvesting. We hope no dis}
aster Will befau US to blast our present bright
prospect.
Trial for Murder In View Mexiso.
TWO MEN SHOT FOR wrrCHCRAFr.
From the Santa Fe Gazette, April eat - 1
We publish the trial Of the Nambe Indians, which
took place at the March term Of the U. 8. DISTRICT
Court, in Santa Fe presents one Of the most sim
guar state of facts that could be imagined andwi o
considered by our readers in the United States as
something both new and strange. The offence for
which the two deceased, Romero and TafoLa, werea
were shot by the defendants named in the indict-
ment, with gun, short distance beyond the Dor
ders Of the Pueblo. Who would have imagined that
tine Fl the @ ss dsys Of w b
and that, too, among class Of people hardly one
step more civilized Than the savage -.
That our readers may further understand this sim
gulaI case, We win say word or two in regard to-
have been originally wild and savage, like the other
nss 70 Of the but p
when they first occupied this country. They woln
then gathered into small villages and have always
remained up to the present time, scattered through
the length and breadth of the country. For all local
purposes they have been recognized as distinct COM
munities, and quiet and harmless race Of pe0-
pie. They elect their own officers butare not taxed
dens Of citizens. They retain their primitive dress
from the wild Indians Of the plains and noun
tains. Such, in BRIEF are this singular people, who
crime Of witchcraft. They profess the Catholic 10
igion but are wretchedly ignorant Interpretations.
Many have supposed them wholly Independent of
the laws of the United States and this territory Init
V,niu VUha do nv fha IN "a fr{0
was not listened to by the Court, which decided
that all persons within the limits Of the Territory
were alike subject to the criminal laws Of the coun
try. This is an important point settled, as regards
the Pueblo Indians, and henceforward they will be
sensible of the fact that they cannot commit crimes
without being liable to punishment And we hope
that the non-recognition by our laws Of the sup.
those who injure witches are liable to be punished.
viii have tendency to prevent similar proceedings
in the future.
though they had been found guilty, and the trial
will serve the same purpose as though they had
been punished with death or Imprisonment: and we
venture to say that in future no more witches viii be
was sufficiently proved to thsjury, there was no ey
dence it was done In the county Of Santa Fc with
out which they conld not ind them guilty, The
trial was conducted in three languages English,
Spanish, and the dialect Of Nambe; and during its
continuance deep interest was manifested.
In THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT Court FOR THE
II,
Org Of Ne,o Merico vs. Juan Diego Tafoila, Juas
Jose IsIltio, Juan de Jesus Tatolu, Juan de los
Reyes Mirabnl.-This was an Indictment found
against the defendants and one other, who did not
appear, for the crime Of murder. They were AZ
raigned March 3lst, and plead not guilty.
The first witness for the Territory was, Juan
Ygnacio Tafolla, swon-I live in Nambe; knew
Luis Romero; he lived in Nambe; also knew An
both dead know Juan Diego Tafolla, Juan Joso
Tujllo, Juan Jesus Tafolla, and Juan de los Reyes
Mirabal; these four men came and reported to mo
they had killed Luis Romero and Antonio Tafolh,
in accordance with the order of the Pueblo. It
was done in the beginning of this month; they only
said they had killed them; did not see them after
they were killed; they we're killed not quite
ton they killed them at twilight I save
them going out with the deceased they
had . shot gun; Juan Diego carried the gun; I
they returned very soon; Luis Romero and Antonio
Tafolla did not return with them; Romero and Ia
fOlla were walking along before them and wsro
loose.
the Pueblo, the head men Of the Pueblo; they were
killed because the two deceased had done great
wrongs to the Pueblo; am the governor Of tho
Pueblo, and Juan Diego is the fiscal (constable) Of
the Pueblo; 1t was the duty Of the fiscal to execute
the order Of the Pueblo they commanded him to
kill these two men the bad acts spoken Of were that
they were detected in the act Of witchcrat; the de-
ceased confessed they had been guilty Of witchcraft
the Pueblo; it has always been our custom to put
stop TO and check bad acts We have not exercised
this custom Of killing witches since the Americans
came here, because there had not been such bad
as an independent community; and Governor Cal
houn said, we were poor and ignorant, and could
not serve as jurors, we might govern ourselves.
Re examined-I am governor, and this act was
the Pueblo, By my order and with the consent Of
all the principal men Of the Pueblo the two men
were put to death. They were killed on my COM
mand. &a
Of Namhe. knew Romero and Tafoila; don't know
how old they were; they were young men. They
lived separately. Romero had no property; but
Tafolla bad house. They are not now living. IL in
several days since saw them last; don't know how
many. Luis Romero lived alone, and Antonio lived
with his wife. The last time saw them they were
at home. know Juan Diego Tafolla: he was fla-
cal in the Pueblo. know Juan Jose Trujillo, Juan
de Jesus Tafolla, and Juan de los Reyes Miabal did
not see them after they were dead. Don't know
there was an order given for the killing Of Romero
and Tafolla.
Padre Trujillo sworn.-Nambe is in the county OF
Santa Fe. ! did not see Romero and Tafo1a after
they were deed.
CroEsexamined.-D Don't know where the dividing
Line between the counties OF Santa Fe and Rio Ar
riba il.
Joaquin Montova sworn.-I know the prisoners
at the bar; they live In Nambe; did not see them In
company with Romero and Tafola; they are now
dead; have not seen them since they were killeds
didn't know the place where they were killed; do
not know how they came to be killed; did not zee
the defendants in company with the deceased don't
some time since saw Romero and Tafolla In the
Pueblo; am ignorant how long.
James Konklin, sworn on the part Of the defend
ant-The Governor of the Territory told the Pueblo
Indians he would have nothing to do with them;
thew must govern themselves; he told them this
when he was Indian agent, and afterwards when he
was Governor.
| DISCRIMINATORY remember he told them
they could kill and murder; don't remember he said
| the United States had no authority over them; he
told them he was their agent, and would settle any
difficulty between them and Spaniard; don't re-
member that the Pueblo Of Nambe had any particu-
lar instructions given to them; there was no COM
plant of murder, or anything Of that kind made %
| Governor Calhoun; no such disputes as those about
life were brought before the Governor, but they
| vwx,a n minor in,nOrfance.