Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1892-05-31
ASSASSINS' WORK.
Frank Chavez Shot to Death
in the Dark--A Dastardly
Deed Effectively Elk
eCuted.
A Winchester Bullet through His
Heart--A Night of Ex-
citement and Lamen-
tation.
Five Shots from a Church-yard
and AtilanO Colds Mirac-
ulOus Escape from
Injury.
W. H. Soehnchens Maudlin Threat
and Singular Coincidence
Which Caused His
Arrest.
Story of the Crime and Talks with
Those Who Claim to Know
Most About 1t.
A DeplOrable Affair-The Official In
vestigatiOn The Possible Mo-
tiye-PrOclamatiOn of
| Reward.
Story of the Crime and Talks with
Those Who Claim to Know
Most About 1t.
A DeplOrable Affair-The Omcial In
vestigatiOn-The Possible MO
tiye-PrOclamatiOn of
Reward.

Francisco Chavez, ex-sheriff and col
lector for Santa Fe county, was assas-
sinated while returning to his home near
Guadalupe church, at few minutes
past 10 o'clock on Sunday night. He
was shot down within a hundred yards
of his own doorstep and the perpetrators
of the cruel, cowardly outrage skulked
beneath the very shadow of the church
to make good their escape. For time
the widest excitement prevailed and Sun
day night and all day yesterday the ter
rible deed was the chief topic in all
circles. All the sad circumstances, the
possible motive, the details OF the killing
and every feature were gone over again
and again, repeated and enlarged upon.
OF course, there were numerous wild
theories, many of them rs absurd as they
were vicious, but the rank and file were
for the most part silent and thoughtful,
feeling keenly a sorrow that found no
vent in words, rejecting upon the fact
that this is another sad blow to Santa Fe
and her good name, and grievlng over
the loss of popular and widely known
resident, who, whatever his faults may
have been, was faithful friend to tn g
poor and lar too generous toward his
friends for his own good.
Details of the Tragedy.
Frank Chavez was about the plaza on
Sunday evening till near 10 o'clock, when
he went into Dixon g saloon, and, meeting
there Atilano Gold, suggested that they go
home together. Accordingly they walked
down the street, being accC mpanied part
way by Marshal Gray. The latter left
them at Cartwrights corner. Passing
oseph's saloon Chavez suggested going
in and taking drink. He was perfectly
sober, Gold says, but upon approaching
the side.door they observed that the
saloon was crowded with people and Cha
yez then said, mo, let's go straight home
| il will cost me dollar or two to 60 il
there" meaning that he would be com
PEELED to treat the crowd, so he and Cole
passed on to Water street, passed thu
planning mill and started over the Guada
iupe street bridge. The moon had gon,
down; the wind was blowing stiff
breeze. and the night was dark. Chavez
walked at the right hand Of Gold and wa
nearest the narrow gauge railroad track
AS they proceeded they talked OF common
place topics. When within twenty lee
of the south end of the bridge and nearl.
opposite a telegraph pole that stand
lust across the railroad track il
Guadalupe church yard, volley wa
FIRED AT THIN
from behind the telegraph pole, scarce !,
ten feet away. Chavez stopped, turnee
toward the right and exclaimed rs hi
reached out for Gold with his right hand
"Tbe brutes have murdered me-" AS IA
said this he fell and at the same instan
two or three more shots were fired. Coll
ran off the bridge to the center OF the stree
fronting Chavez house, and as be stoppe'
he heard two men running through tn
church yard. They came DIAGONAL.
from the vicinity of the telegraph pole
passed through the side gate and entered
the street, whereupon they fired once o
twice at Gold, who was yet stanSn
there, completely paralyzed by fear
Prior to the last two shots Gold, how
ever, had called to Chavez but receive
no response. When fred upon he ra
back over the bridge, jumping owe
Chavez body, yet calling him. AgalI
there was. no response, and Gold the'
ran rapidly across the bridge t.
Soehnchen 4 Co.'S. planning mill. N ca
there he met A. 2. Hogle and anothe
man who had heard the shooting AM
were hesitating about crossing the bridge
He was