Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-11-23
THE ERUsTLERs OF NEW MEXICO.
The Reign of Terror in the Territory
Over, and Life Secure.

The Reign of Terror in the Territory
Over, and Life Secure.
Governor Sheldon, of New Mexico, in
commenting recently on the situation in
that Territory, said life and property were
as secure there as in the Eastern States,
and that the reign of the cowboy despera-
does was thing of the past. ''We have
put a quietus to the lawless dOings of the
'Rustlers,'" remarked the Governor, ''and
hencefOrth there will be peace and quiet
ness in the Territory"
''WhO are the 'Rustlers' to whom you
refer?''
The Governor looked at his questioner a
moment in surprise ana replied: ''Why,
a 'Rustler' is only another name for a
white desperadO, be he cowboy, pro-
fessional cattle thief, murderer or
gambler. The name is comparatively
new, but it fills the bill, and let me tell
you, all of that ilk take great pains to
give us good citizens a wide berth, for it
is practically a war of determination,
with the odds terribly against the
'Rustlers.' The truth is, added the
Governor, ''the deeds of violence
that were perpetrated by these
lawless men stagnates the growth
of New Mexico. People were
afraid to venture into a country where the
law afforded no protection and where hui
man life was so lightly regarded that men
were stabbed or shot to death on the street
in broad daylight for the most trivial Of
fense. When l was appointed Governor of
the Territory a reign of terror existed
through the deeds of these men and the
raids of the Apaches. l made up my mind
at once that something must be done, and
l acted promptly. l organized twenty
four companies of men in different
sections of the Territory, armed and
equipped them and selected good officers.
These companies were instructed to hunt
down all the laWless characters and to
bring all offenders to justice. They have
performed their work so etfectually that
fully one hundred of the most dangerous
'RustlerS' have been killed outright, and
probably a thousand more have been
forced to leave the Territory and take ref
uge in Mexico, Arizona, and the adjacent
| Territories. AS for Indians, not hostile
has been within the borders of the Terri
tory since the 10th of October last year, ,and
| there have been but two demonstrations
on the part of the 'Rustlers' within twelve
months. The first of these was in Decem-
Der last, at Shakespeare, Grant county,
where a party of five murdered a ranch
man and ran off his sheep. The news of
the outrage was telegraphed to me and a
company of rangers was at once sent on
| their trail. After travelling ninety miles
over desert the rangers overlook the
murderers and killed the entire party, five
in number The second demonstration of
the 'Rustlers' was in Dona Anna county,
in May last. The leaders were killed and
their followers were driven from the Ter
ritOry."
The Governor believes New Mexico to
be the wealthiest, as regards minerals, of
all the Territories, and says that by stand
ing on housetOp in Albuquerque the eye
can command an eXpanse of wheat-grOw-
inc territory sufficient to S1DDOrt n DODu-
IatiOn of 100000 souls. AS for fruits and
vegetables, New Mexico was unparalleled.
Under the new order of things Governor
Sheldon said that immigration was pour
ing in steadily, new towns were springing
up, railroad communication was being
rapidly developed and the people We're
growing prosperous and contented.