Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1893-07-28
A MBMoRBLE TRAGEDY.


plaza on the 10th OF September. All
the space around the plaza had been
appointed to the different families In
town who were desirous OF construc-
ting seats for their own use around
the proposed arena, and large num-
Der Of persons were employed 10 doing
the work
About this time there arrived in
Santa Fe the head chief OF the Utes,
Panacilla, accompanied by several
other chiefs and Indians, numbering
IN ali about 100 men; A citizen
named Pedro Leon was with them as
interpreter. The Indians came on
horseback; they were bncks, and only
one squaw was in their company.
They entered Santa Fe late in The
evening by way of the street that
runs toward Rosario chapel, in the
northwest part of the town, and a
house which stood on the site now &C.
cupied by the place known as Herlows
hotel, on San Francisco street, was
assigned to the Indians for their ac-
commodation.
The coming of the Utes was for the
purpose of making treaty Of peace
with Gen. Martinez, and to receive
the presents which in those times it
was customary to give the Indians as
an inducement for keeping the peace.
Panacilla, the head chief, was about
90 years old, tall, stout, of feroclous
aspect and was lame of one leg. 1t
was said of him that he was violent
and over-bearing savage, accustomed
to ill-treat everybody with whom he
had dealings, and he was reported as
having struck with a whip several
prominent persons in Rio Arrba
county.
AS we have said, the Utes arrived
in Santa Fe late in the evening, and
next day they remained occupied in
conferences with the civil and mill
tary authorities who governed in those
times. Gen. Martinez was man of
commanding presence, was very well
posted in public affairs and possessed
of great energy in the performance Of
his duties. He was one Of the most
distinguished officers Of the Mexican
army, and lived with his family at the
old palace, occupying all the eastern
wing Of the house, including the
rooms where the governor lives at
present.
About 8 o'clock in the morning on
the third day after the arrival of the
Utes, Gen. Martinez and his wife were
sitting in the apartment used for the
reception of visitors when Panacilla,
accompanied by seven Utcs, went into
the room to have talk with the gen
eral, and after talking for some time
about the business on hand, the In
dian chief became angry at the gene
raj, because he considered that the
amount Of presents given to the Ute'
, was not up to their expectations, and
he showed his anger by insults and by
over-bearing behavior, Faying that il
he had known Gen. Martinez was 81
stingy he would net have taken The
trouble TO come. From words be pass
ed to blows, and taking the general by
the beard he gave him jerk. Gene
raj Martinez, who was brave mar
and not easily frightened, took hole
; of a chair and struck Panacilla on the
head Telling him to the ground. Hi
wife, frightened at the row, wen
forth to the outer rooms and called
the guard, which consisted Of seyera
soldiers. On observing this, the In
dlans were alarmed and made thei
escape by a window fronting th,
plaza.
One ofthe guards who was at tn
entrance door in the palace ran afue
them to cut off their retreat, an,
: warned the people in the plaza 0
what had happened, at the same tin
firing his gun at the Indians, the sho
striking Panacilla in the breast AM
killing him instantly. The rest 0
the Indians ran around the sQuar
trying to escape.
The workmen and people about tn
}. plaza, on hearing that the Utes wer
trying to kill Gen. Martinez, hurriedl
I took up their tools, and, attackin
the Indians, killed all of them in th
middle Of the square, with the excel
tion OF one who was able toayoid the
blows until he reached San Franelsc
street, near where the Webber bloc
now is where a man crushed his sku
with an axe, killing him at once.
The rest Of the Indians were q
their lodging place and knew nothin
of what was happening; but an ente
prising citizen, intent on appropria
ing their effects, told them that the
companions had been killed, and tha
the people were coming to make wa
J. with them. On hearsng this the Il
dians Immediately started towaI
the western part Of the town. A