The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-06-11
Ell PASO.
THELATE TROUBLES OF THE
BOARD or INVESTIGATION,
with Recommendation for the Establisn-
ment of An Army Post in that
S,NUnHy

GDWnBys
WASHINGTON. June 1o.--Secretary Nc.
Crary has received the report OF the board
to investigate the riots In El Paso
county, Texas growing out of the disputed
possession Of some salt pits in that county.
The board finds, according to the report,
that OF San ElizariO in the latter part Of Sep
tember september 30, 1877), ChaS. A. Howard
and Gregorio N Garcia, the county judge and
q Justice of the peace, for causing the arrest
Of two Mexican citizens Of that town, named
Maredonia Gaudova and Jose Maria Jaureth,
for saying that they intended to go and get
salt from the salt lakes las charged in affida-
viii were themselves arrested, confined in
duranee and threatened by an armed mob,
numbering about fifty or sixty men, Of whom
ten were from the Mexican side Of the Rio
Grande.
The mob was led by Listo Salrido and Seon
Granido, at that time citizens Of Texas. 1t Is
believed that even then Howard's life was In
danger, but at the earnest petition of the Rev.
Pierre Bourged. the priest OF the parish and
Louis Lardis, as stated In their own words,
il was spared. Both he and the two officials
were released, but on condition that the first
should bind himself In the sum OF $4,000,
with good security, to rellnquish his interest
in the salines, and then to leave the country
never to return, nor to prosecute them for
their action In the matter. AS for the county
Judge and the other justice, they were released
on rendering their designations Of their re-
spective offices.
In the beginning of November following
Howard returned to the county, notwith-
standing the pledge he had given to remain
away. The Mexicans became incensed and
gathered again, some with arms in their
hands, to the number OF about 200, of whom
about twenty were citizens Of Mexico living
on the other side OF the river, and threatened
the lives OF the bondsmen to enforce the pay
ment OF the bond, which they declared was
rendered forfeit by Howard's return.
The timely arrival OF an officer OF the State
OF Texas, Major John b. Jones, prevented an
act Of disorder. They promised to disperse
and await che decision Of the courts. Their
promises proved to have been insincere, for
the people early In December, 1877, rose en-
mdsse and armed themselves for the mischief
that en5ued. They were speedily joined by
friends and sympathzers, who came some
TO fight and others to steal, from across the
river, until their number got to formidable
proportions.
Their exact force is difficult TO compute.
The leaders who know are in foreign parts
and the estimate Of those who have testified
differs widely; but there could not have been
far from 400, OF whom not less than one-third
were Mexican citizens, the remainder being
from El Paso county, Texas. All were under
the leadership OF Tromtciaeo, alias Chico
Barela, with Desiderio Apodaca as second In
command. ~
They assembled in the town OF San Elizario
and made no secret OF their intentions to kill
Chas. A. Howard, who had gone there under
the escort OF q small company Of the Texas
Battalion of Rangers, disavowing at the same
time, 1t Is said, any purpose to become In
volved with the United States government
Here the mob remained In possession from
the twelfth to the seventeenth of December
They surrounded the house and corral where
the Rangers were quartered, and after some
casualties OF both sides, compelled their sur
render and disarmament.
They plundered stores and warehouses and
carried the booty ecross the river. They
killed on the twelfth Mr.. Charles T. Ellis.
whose store and mill they afterwards robbed.
On the thirteenth. they shot down in the street
Sergeant @. IL. Mortimore, OF the Frontier
Battalion OF Rangers, and on the seventeenth,
after the surrender, In broad daylight In cold
blood, they murdered Charles A. Howard.
John G.. Atkinson and John Il. McBowie,.
The last named was one Of the Rangers; the
other two were quaftered In the building for
protection. The death OF Mortimore was the
only loss suffered by the Rangers during the
siege.
The number and extent of the casualties on
the side Of the mob are not known, and prob
ably never will be. It must have been iarpe.
1t is inpracticabte as yet to fix the true value
OF the property destroyed and stolen, but 1t
Is believed that the amount is rather larger
instead Of less than $4,000.
No evidence taken substantiates the report
that the people. coming from Mexico and
taking part In the criminal proceedings were
an organized body, previously drilled and
QlSClpllueu ny OllICBfS VI ING NeXlCh1 army.
One Ferris Lerfn0n, formerly lieutenant In
the Mexican army, but not connected with 1t
for many years, and now an old man, did
assist the mob in November by written adj
vice and personal instructions in tactics, but
finding that they were disposed to adopt ex-
treme measures, he incurred their dislike
and was driven away before the rising.
The inhabitants OF the adjacent towns on
both sides OF the river have hitherto for many
years lived IN state Of amity, and are In
timately connected by the bonds Of a common
faith, like sympathieS and tastes and are re-
lated In numerous instances by marriage.
Hence each would naturally support and de-
fend the other. In the words Of one who
ought to know them, There is not more
pacific, easily governed and loyal people on
the face of the2earth."H
AS soon as the news Of these lawless pro-
ceedings reached his ears, the district COM
mander. Col. Ed. Hatch, OF the Ninth Cavalry,
hastened in person to the county and
promptly made such disposition of the troops
attainable as stopped all further violence
store the confidence OF the people, many Of
whom had fled into Mexico. No immediate
action beyond that OF the sheriff was taken,
SO far as has transpired within the knowledge
of the board OF civil authorities Of the State
Of Texas or county of I'll Paso.
The district attorney had rendered his
resignation and its acceptance lay under ad-
visement. The district judge was, according
to his own statement absent from the neigh
borhood from about September 25, 1877, to
February 8, 1873. On February 23, 1873 the
Judge, who was ex-offlcio extradition agent,
made formal demand ON the authorities Of
Mexico, under the extradition laws, for
seventeen persons, citizens Of Texas, charged
with murder and robbery, and therein hiding,
but none have been delivered up.
This board recommends, as measure likely
to prevent q recurrence Of these evils, the
establishment Of a prominent post some
where in this vicinity. TO be garrisoned by
about 200 men, of whom fifty should be cav
airy; portion Of this force to be retained at
San Elizario as long as the department COM
mander may deem 1t necessary, to restore
ontidence to the Wall-dispos9d people now
esiding th5re.
In the Judgment of the board there Is no
doubt that If small force of United States
troops had been stationed here, the late de-
plorable events would not have transpired.
Hence the danger Of neglect, for similar
causes might easily occasion similar up
risings.
This done, the salt war is probably ended,
but in addition to the questions likely to
spring from the present constitution of so
ciety, that of water, as to It's division and dis
tribution, the board regards as serious.