Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1855-05-19
Murder Of Dr. Downs.

Murder Of DR.. Downs.
The New Orleans Delta, of Monday last
in publishing some items by an arrival from
the Rio Grande, says: +iaF -E-
"The Flag has a letter from SaltiIlo, giving
an account Of the murder Of DR.. Downs, ar
American gentleman. He was robbed of q
large amount of money by his murdere and
the Mexican officials appropriated what proper
| ty remained"
The unfortunate gentleman alluded to above
was the brother of Judge Downs, who resides
near this place. The deceased was on a visi,
here last summer, where there are, doubtless,
many warm friends who mourn his early and
tragical end.
Since the above was in type, We have re.
ceived the Picayune, which gives the following
from the Flag: ~
The following letter will show the manner
in which the property Of deceased Americans
is managed by the present authorities in Mex
leo, in places where there is no agent of our
Government to restrain them. The writer OF
the letter is a gentlemen Of high standing in
Saltillo, personally known to us, and whose
statement may be relied, on as entitled to the
fullest credenee. Mr.. Dirgan, Vice Consul at
Matamoros, has the matter under investigation
and will most likely recover what is left Of
the property Of the murdered doctor. Dr..
Downs was for manv years a resident of Mat
amoros, where his g%entiemanly department and
successful practice won for him many friends.
SALrTLLo, Mexico, April 90, 1855.
To the United States Consul, Matamoros:
Sir-About the middle of December last Dr..
Downs, a citizen Of the United States, and for.
merly!a resident of The city OF Matamores.
Mexico, while on his way fromSan Luis Potosi
to this place, was murdered at OF near to the
hacienda of Jesus Maria, in the Jurisdiction Of
this department, and robbed of q large amount
of money, which it was supposed was 10 his
possession, and which it is presumed was the
cause Of the murder. Eight days after the
murder, some Of the residents Of said hacienda
made known to the authorities of this place the
circumstances Of the case; which were that, at
2 O'Clock P. M, two men presented themselves
at the hacienda with q carriage and span of
American horses, enqoiring for their patron. Dr..
Downs. who they said had got ont Of .hs.car-
rage to point out the way. That was their
tale, but no sooner than it had become dark
than they made their escape, leaving behind
the horses carriage and equipage Of the doctor,
after having broken open and .raasncked bis
trucks. ,as
ID The authorities are Investigating Ahe matter
and therefore L do not think it necessary TO say
more on the Subject /; but, the matter to which
wish particularly to cali your attention as
Consul sths disP0sitiea made Of said Downs
property, which was brought 10 this place by
an order Of the bPrefeet and deposited in the
possession of the ayantameisnto, tfsom whom
1t passed, by order Of tbs Governos OF the De-
partment, into the ha0ds Of the Fiscal, or Grim
lsal Judge Of this place, who bas it now in bis
possession-or rather = p~ostion Of 1.-THE hor-
sess are in the hands Of tho Governor, and the
has been loaned 10 Col. lose Ma. AL
who was ordered To- the South BY the
President The halancc' Of his property ftom
al that ] oan learn, IL going the same road. and
6 some measures ara not taken by our resident
authorities shortly. thsrs will be lit
lie or nothing IeftI might have promised that
he Fiscal is a,pennyless captain Of Infantry.
Ind like many Others Of his companions, who
have no companies, have TO maintain them.
.elves By their wits&constitsting in more po.
iie terms. what might b. called . Chesslier
J 1ndustT'e. s. anca sGt eaas ,s