The St. Johns herald., 1888-08-09
The Long Tom.


 the cowboys vicious habit of car rying six-shooters the fatal conse- quences that have recently ensued therefrom. At first blush, we were disposed to incline to the belief, that the cow-puncher would be just as efficient, possibly quite as hand some, and certainty less dangerous, without that useless appendage as with 1t. But the late occurrences in the mountains near the New Mexico line have convinced us that we were wrong, and that in certain sections, and under certain circum- stances, the cownIan should have not only his pistol, but Winchester, as well, and if these happenings re- peat themselves, use one, or both, according to the range.
 A few weeks since two gentlemen went to the mountains to receive some cattle-established their camp near a stream, and were awaiting their stock. Without warning about 5000 sheep came right into their camp. One of the men, seeing a herder near by, went to him, and asked him to remove his sheep. He seemingly pleasantly acQuiesced- when the cowman had ridden about 70 yards away, and had his back turned, this Mexican sheep-herder, and one half-dozen others, without the slightest provocation, turned loose their long-toms, fired about 50 shots, succeeded in routing the cowmen, killing one of their horses, and then themselves sought refuge Tn New Mexico.
 This same thing has repeated it. self within the last ten days in the same locality. It will possibly re- peat itself once more, and gene ral killing will be the result.
 Our information as to the facts is reliable, and we do not hesitate to say that it was certainly in one, pos sibly in both instances, cowardly attempt to assassinate the cowmen by the Mexican shecp-herders. If they were not to blame-if they were not the unprovoked aggres- sors, why Is 1t they conceal their locality and identity? The cow men have naught to conceal-ad- init they shot back when fired at, and stand ready to answer the con- sequences before the law. On the other hand, the Sheriff's posse was unable to find hide or hair of the Mexicans, It is not positively cer- tain to whom the sheep belonged. This flight and subsequent conceal ment is a confession of guilt.
 The public domain is common to us all, sheep and cowmen alike-is the peculiar property of neither and we do not assume to sit in l judgment upon the respective rights of the two industries but of one thing we feel sure, and that is, if the sheep owners of New Mexico think they can send their herds of sheep into this county, whenever it suits their pleasure, thus avoiding assessment at home, and stand off our assessor here, and by arming a lot of ignorant and irresponsible herders, run rough-shod over the taxpayers here, jeopardize their lives and kill their stock, with inn punity, the sooner they are taught differently the better.
 If this condition continues, it is only a question of very short time when the issue will be made and met. While we should greatly regret it, and do not advise vio- lence, but the strictest obedience to the law, we do not hesitate to say to the cowDoys that when you go to the mountains "trustin Providence, but keep your powder dry"
 Moreover, when the issue does