Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1892-05-06
WHITE CAPS IN RIO ARRlBA.
A Sample of Their Outlawry-Gooo
Citizens Organizing for Mutual
Protection-CourtN Notes.


special correspondence.
Ell Rmo, Rio Arrba county, May A.
Probably one of the most cowardly and
Lowest tricks, attributed to the White Cap
element of this county, was the bnrnns
down of Donaciano Chacon's barns and
corrals at Caniilon, about twenty miles
from here, burning at the same time four
good horses, and it was with almost super
human efforts that four more were
saved.
Last Saturday about p. M, little
girl looked out of the door of Mr.. Cha
cons house and discovered that the barn,
about $50 yards from the house, was
wrapped in a mass of flames. Mr.. Chacon
and other neighbors repaired at once to
the scene but could only save the four
horses and the others, it seems, were
burned in less time than it takes to relate
it. 1t appears from the evidence and clue
so far discovered that coal oil was freely
used by the incendiaries who beyond a
doubt belong to an element that follows
this as one of their favorite amusements
of White Caps.
Strong suspicious point toward GER
tain relative of M. Chacon, and no ef-
forts will be spared by the grand jury to
ferret out the crime; a few days ago Mr..
Chacon and fifteen other good reliable
men announced through writing their
withdrawal from the order of Knights of
Labor, and the consequence is these
nefarious practices upon the life and
property OF all those that will not CO.
operate and help this develish outfit in
their crimes.
Altogether this has been an eventful
week, or rather two weeks, in this coun-
ty, made so by several events that have
occurred. The district court found its
docket filled with cases, and our able and
energetic judge, E. P. Seeds, has been
kept busy dspatchins business and has
almost cleared the docket OF all criminal
cases.
The two eloquent and afrable organizers
Of the order of Knights of Mutual Pro.
lection have met with uDbounded success
in this county. The first meeting they
had at the court house was immense, and
nearly every man of anv prominence
whatever was enrolled as member OF the
order above mentioned. | hereby con-
graduate Messrs. Csjal and Cifre on the
success they achieved here and sincerely
hope they will not stop here, but 60 to
Taos county, where am sure they will
be received with open arms and with the
same enthusiasm that they were met
with here. l did not have the pleasure
nfp aatinY thnoa VI lonpn hDt unO1
reliable citizens tell me they are the most
eloquent Spanish speakers they have ever
listened to. The order of Knights OF
Mutual protection now numbers about
500 members in our county and lodges
will be organized in every precinct, whilst
Mr.. White Cap is completely demoralzed
and the days OF the latter order will be
short and sweet, and some OF the chiefs
will find themselves caught in the clutches
of the law for practicing such innocent
amusements as the burning OF burros and
horses and parading with white cap in
the night.
Although have used my efforts to dis
cover any enthusiasm created by the
Democratic county convention called at
Abiquu on the I'd, have 80 far failed;
there were hardly one.half dozen men
there present, including the two com
mitteemen. The White Cap element.
am reliably informed, refused to attend
the convention or any precinct convention
here, and this leaves the Democracy in
worse fix than it has been for years;
even the w. G. refuse to fuse with the
Democrats, good heavens
The grand jury, ably assisted by our
efficient district attorney, R. E. Twitchel,
has found number Of indictments, | am
told, from the number Of witnesses sum-
moned. Court has adjourned and from
here proceeds to Taos, N. M, from where
| will let you hear from me again and
will give you all the news that may be
able to pick up, Yours,
RIO ARRIBA Co.