Santa Fe gazette. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1859-1864, 1861-01-19
From the Ncllla Timos Ord,
IIeart-rending Murders.

last Sunday night, between the hours Of eight
and nine, tho door Of the building in which Mr..
Coulbert, ChAs Hampton and COL Serten have
been for some time confined on charge Of mur-
der at Pine Alto, was broken open, and the two
latter shot dead and the former wounded In the
right arm and breast. The person who was left
in charge ofthc prisoners had chained them to
post and then gone down town for few moments,
supposing them perfectly safe The murderev,,
probably believing they had killed them all, fled.
Mr. Coulbert, stimulated, by fear and excitement
succeeded in breaking tho lock with which he was
confined, and, leaving the building proceeded in
the direction Of Mr.. Lucas house as fast US bis
manaced limbs and wounds would permit, and on
the way meet some individual to whom no gave
information olthe assault A number ofmen soon
collected around the house where the two prison
ers lay dead and still in irons, and DR., Black was
called and dressed Couberts wounds. From
some course not clesr y understood the citizens
soon dispersed, leaving two gentlemen in charge
OF tho surviving prisoner and the bodies Of his
companions. In a few minutes after both the
two men on guard came across tho Plaza on the
run, stating that the prisoner said his wounds
panied him very much, and earnestly requested
them to make all haste and get the Doctor. On
returning, OoulbOrt could not be found Consid-
erable search was made for him that night, but no
clue to his whereabouts could be obtained. The
next morning DR.. Black, who resides in house
adjoining, stated that "his lady" heard the prisoner
pass down the street by their house Immediately
after the guard lGit, begging the while, that his
life might be spared and that soon after she heard
several shots fired further down the street, in tho
direction he was going. About o'clock in tho
morning Mexican from "Oaliiorna" stated that
the prisoner was on that side of tho Acequia Ma.
Dire, in q jdc9l badly wounded. On repairing
thence he was found as stated, and although sui.
feFng from several severe wounds and the cold,
was able to sit up and converse. He however ap.
peared 10th to say much regarding the unhappy
affair Of the previous evening; but since then he
has so far recovered from his fright and the excite.
ment as to be induced to make some further dis.
closures in regard to this dastardy murder and
outrage upon this community. He says he left
the room as soon as the two men on guard started
away, but had proceeded only q short distance
when he was waylaid by two men who fired at
him several times two balls taking effect. He in
stantly fell as though mortally wounded, when ono
Of the assassins probably supposing him to be in
the agonies Of DEATH came up and kicked him. OK.
claiming, "D-n you, you are dead now or in
words to that effect after which, having placed his
hand on istemplo toascertan ihe was still alive,
quickly disappeared, As soon as he considered il
safe, he got up and though suffering from his
wounds, hand Cuied and shackled, hobbled across
the dce9Wa and entered the idcql where he was
found in the morning. DR.. Black was summoned,
who had his mauacles removed, dressed his wou.
nds, aud had him conveyed to his own house, where
he stl remains, though we believe it is the nten-
ton to remove him to Fort Fillmore soon, for sur.
gical treatment and better protection.
Thus We have very briefly stated the particulars
Of n double muIder Of tho most cold,blooded and
dastuydly character The murder Of the Mines,
and for which the prisoners were in confinement,
was horrible, God knows but nothing in compari.
son with this That, so far as these three prison.
ers were concerned, was probably done under the
influence Of excitement and the Grazing effects Of
liquor this was premedated and accomplished by
heartess men, before whose base acts hell itself
would pale with horror, for no Others could be
guilty ola crime so heinous.
Our citizens are very indignant and take no pains
TO hide their feelings and opinions though all ap-
pear cool and collected, May Wisdom guide their
acts is our earnest prayer.