Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1897-03-23
BORREGOS AGAIN RESPITED
A Telegram from the L. S. Attorney
General Stops the Execution Pro-
cession on Its Way to the
GallOws.
PRISONERS REPRIEYED FOR TEN DAYS
Widespread Exultation Greeted the
Fourth Stay in the Execution Of the
Sentence of the Court in This
Famous Case.

The execution OF Francisco Gonzales J
Borrego, Antonio Gonzales Borrego
Laureano Alarid and Patricio Valencia
convicted of the murder of Sheriff Frank
Chavez, which occurred in in 1892,
and which was to have taken
place today sometime between the hours
of 8 and IL 80 a. NJ, did not materialize
For the fourth time in this celebrated
case, which will go down to history as
the most bitterly contested legal battle-in
the criminal annals of the territory Of
New Mexico, the hand of Justice has beer
stayed after being raised to execute the
stern edict of the Mosaic law whi,h de
mands that the measure of Justice shall
be lite for life.
Twice the execution of these men has
been stopped by respites from the attor
ney general of the United States. Thirty
days ago today, under the administration
which has passed into history, the con
demned men were within two days of the
gallows when a telegram from Washing
ton ordered respite. Today, another
hour would have sealed their doom. The
black covered prison van, escorted by G
company of militia under command Of
Major Gable, had Just started from the
penitentiary with the condemned men or
board, en- route to the jail, where the ex
ecution was to have taken place, wher
Sheriff Kinsell, who was seated beside
his prisoners, was handed telegram
from the attorney general granting an
other respite, this time for ten DAYS.
The procession turned back, but Dep
uty Warden Merrill refused to again re
ceiv the prisoners, so they were taken tt
town and incarce rated in cell in tn,
county jail, within few feet from thu
canvass masked scaffold that has waitet
to receive them since the last respite, 81
days since.
FAITH IN MR. CATRoN.
Nearly everyone, with the exception o.
the condemned men themselves, haG
given up hope of further interference, or
the part of the attorney general, the pres
ldent, or anyone else. The expectation O.
the appointment of a governor friendly
to the prisoners, had been given up some
days ago, and the impression prevailed
generally that the men would hang thit
morning. The condemned men alone haa
faith that something would turn up tt
save them. Francisco Gonzales y Dor
rego had dream sometime ago, 80 ht
says, in which a telegram came from
| Washington and snatched them from ar
awaiting doom. The others gave no rea
son for the faith that was strong within
them. They could only say that they be
lieved something would intervene to save
them. That something is Mr.. Oatron. His
influence, or what they believe to be hiG
influence, has saved them so often, that
they can not conceive of his failure in the
face of the final act of this tragedy in which
they are playing leading roles. To hin
they ascribe an omnipotence all powerful
to save in any emergency that can pos
sibly arise. Then again long standing il
the shadow of the grim destroyer hal
steeled them to belief in final ion
munity. Nevertheless they went about
preparations for the end in methodica
manner that gave evidence of some re
hearing
PRISONERS INTERVIEWED.
They slept we'll last night, and awok,
this morning to hearty breakfast a
$780, after which they busted themselves
with their prayer books, and with making
arrangements for the end. They eact
had little money, and few trinkets, and
farewell letters which they asked should
be delivered to their families and friends
Antonio turned over the extent of hi
earthly possessions in ooin of the realm
amounting to 81, to his brother Jose, who
| is doing two and one-half years sen
tence for assault with a deadly weapon
and who occupies cell 80 IN the third tier
The three brothers met yesterday for th,
first time since the incarceration of Anto
MO and Francisco. Jose is only 10 year,
of age. They spent half an hour to
gether. The condemned men advised
Jose to eschew bad company, to serve his
time out like man, and then to liv,
right.
"Never mind your enemies when 20,
get Free" said Francisco, addressing tn,
young man. "Leave them to God. Re
venge is bad, and only brings much sor
row. Live good life. Be good citi
zen and remember to pray God often tt
take care of you. Bad companions will
lead any man to the devil" At parting
the brothers broke down and cried lik,
children.
A few minutes after O'Clock the pris
oners we're seen and interviewed by
representative of the New MEXICAN
They we're found at their prayer books
Alarid and Valencia occupy the sam
cell, No. SO, lower tier, which has beer
their home since the last sentence wa
passed.
From an attitude of devotion the.
looked up calmly and asked what wa