El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1898-06-07
AHARO EXPERIENCE.
Mexican Law, Mexican Prisons,
Mexican Procrastination.
American ImDOtenCy.

irving experience brief account was
printed in yesterdays HERALD, has
story of more than common interest to
tell. Nine years ago Mr.. Congdon was
employed as travelling agent for the
wells, Fargo express. He was tenn
porarily stationed in chihuahua. In
with his work he had fire. |
ouently to visit the Bank OF Mexico, in
that city, to deliver silver bars and re-
ceive receipts and payment. He had
been used to going where he pleased
about the bank.
One day he had business with the
bank, having among other things to
buy . draft. He was carelessly invited
to come behind the counter, and
thought nothing of it. As be was pre-
pairing to leave, he overheard q clerk
in conversation say that he missed
package of money. Another employee
whispered, ''The American must have
it," Mr.. Congdon heard this. and
promptly challenged the Mexican.
The latter denied having mentioned
him at all. But Mr.. COngdon took OH
his coat and vest, turned his pockets
inside out. and compelled the fellow to
admit that his suspicious were entirely
unfounded.
But An officer was called for. and
Mr.. Congdon had to accompany him.
The money. $1,000 in bills, was found in
minutes, but the clerks said Mr..
Congdon threw it there when he was
caught stealing. Let the mayor find
out" said they.
So. without the shadow of an excuse,
Mr.. Congdon was thrown into jail,
where he remained, according to the
beautiful Mexican law, three days in
solitary confinement. The express
company tried every way to secure his
release, but failed. Superintendent
Turney ascertained the innocence of
the accused, and gave the attorney full
authority to secure his release by any
possible means.
But nearly q month elapsed, and
nothing was done. He was privileged
to leave the prison during the day,
accompanied by a soldier. He con-
get the soldier drunk, leave him, get
horse, and ride for liberty to the
States. He secured q six shooter and
few supplies, and started out with q
corporal for his walk.
The two had reached the Paseo de
Guadalupe, on the edge of town. Mr..
Congdon had not fully succeeded in
was about to postpone his plan. His
gun was in his inside coat pocket, and
the coat was buttoned. The coat be-
came unfastened in some way, and the
soldier caught glimpse of the gun.
Immediately the soldier drew his
bayonet and exclaimed, You are 60
ing TO kill me-" He made a vicious
lunge at his prisoner, but the latter es-
capped serious injury by jumping back.
overlook him and gave him . deep stab
in the back. There were great many
people in the vicinity who were at
tracted to the spot. Congdon got his
gun out, and tried to scare the Mex
lean.
He said in Spanish that he didn't
want to kill the Mexican, and asked
him to keep off, finally warning him
that If he made another lunge with his
bayonet he would kill him. The Mex
lean, blinded with drink and rage,
made another vicious stab, and Cong
don shot him.
Immediately furious mob closed in
upon him. He stood among the rocks
on top of q hill, and the rancheros
with his gun, but it seemed to him as
| if 250 shots were fred 1T him as be
stood there.
He would have sold his life dearly
If he had had ammunition. but his last
cartridge had gone to friR hten one
Mexican who ventured too close. So
he told the crowd that if one man
would come forward he would give up
his gun and surrender.
he was taken to the Jail. There
were the documents that would have
released him. and which ought to have
been delivered to him in the morning.
But now he was charged with MUIR
der.
Two years went by. and still no trial
had been accorded him, although the
matter had been constantly aRitated.
Il he init cd fnfn in
sisted upon q trial, and it was given.
Congdon was tried and sentenced to II
years imprisonment.
He appealed, and three or four
months went by without incident
Then he had q retrial, and this time
he was sentenced to be shot. COngdon
believes this was really bluff, to get
money from his friends, who were
known by this time to the Mexicans
to be influential.
His friends exerted themselves in
his behalf, andl the sentence was COM
muted to 20 years imprisonment.
Mr.. Congdon's Ell Paso and Masonic
friends sent him money, clothing, aud
letters, and kept working for his re-
lease.
DR.. Morse of Austin, and other
friend, went to the. City of Mexico to
present the case to President Diaz and
secure his aid. That was five years
Iago. The president evinced great in
terest in tho case, and gave the visitors
his assurance that he could exert his
power inlbehalf of the prisoner. Later
the president sent to DR.. Morse q
letter recommending the release OF
ICongdon. DR.. Morse presented it in
person to Governor Ahumada.
Governor Ahumada promised to see
that the prisoner was released. BE
sent his private interpreter to tell
Congdon that all had been arranged.
While on an official visit to the prison
the governor told the prisoner, in the
Ipresence of the prison guards and the
other prisoners, that he would be re-
leased in very short time. Nothing
was done.
Three years ago Gov. Ahumad
sent for Mr.. Congd0n to come to his
Office. In a long talk the case was
Igone over, and the governor gave his
promise that release was at hand. La
ter the authorities directed the prison