Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1903-03-30
Jose Telles, All Around Bad Man. Will Pay Death
Penalty for the Murder of Epitacio GalIegos
Friday Next Unless Saved by Executive
Clemency--ScaffoId Under Construc-
ton Death Watch Begins Tonight.
HIS STORY OF AWFUL
CRIMES COMMITTED BY HIM

the fight, but was killed by stray bull
let from Telles' revolver He showed a
hole in his coat which he claimed was
made by a bullet from his opponents
| revolver in this fight.
| He was next questioned about the
killing of a man in Arizona and he
gave his version of that tragedy. He
| said that it occurred about five miles
this side of Bowie Station. Telles was
| then married and his wife and father
We're both witnesses to this affray. He
| had been working for a man there and
| on the evening of the killing stated that
he would not work the following day as
| he did not feel well. His employer in
sisted that he work and quarrel
arose. Telles claims that the man de-
clared he would shoot. at the same
time reaching for his rifle. Telles drew
his revolver and they fired simulta-
neously. His wife tried to prevent
trouble; one of her hands was burned
by the powder from the weapon of one
of the participants. Telles was not in
jured, but his aim was true and the
man was killed. Telles fled. The fight
was witnessed by another man and the
latter the murderer claims, was asked
by Telles' father to tell how the fight
occurred, but he refused to make
statement that would conform with the
above story. and Telles was compelled
to remain fugitive or risk being pun
ished-unjustl according to his pro-
fessed belief His wife died shortly
thereafter, and this coupled with his
exile from his fathers society, hardened
him, he states. He admitted that ne
had not lead the right kind of life
since that time.
Tn relating the circumstances of the
initial tragedy of his bloody career.
Telles grew dramatic. He graphically
described the fight; quickly moved his
hands and arms into position as II
handling a rifle when he told how his
opponent cracked dow.i on him; he
thrust his hand behind him as if to
draw a revolver and threw his arm
straight out when he repeated what he
had done His speech was impassiol.ad.
1t was as If he were making plea be-
fore jury in his own behalf.
The murderer has deep veneration
for his father whose whereabouts he
refused to divulge. He said his father
was a fine old man. Il am not one
third as good as he,'' was his homely
His voice grew soft and tender when
speaking of his parents and his dead
wife.
Telles was last questioned about the
murder he is alleged to have commit
ted in the Republic of Mexico, his ma
tive country. This he denied and in re-
ply to a further questioning said the
three men mentioned were all that he
1ad killed.
The New Mexican has received the
that Telles' real name Is
Alejandro Duran, and that he formerly
ived at Las Cruces, where he had SER
Gus trouble with another man and left
he territory, going to Mexico, where he
emained until the trouble had blown
ver when he returned to this territory.
,oing under the name of Telles. 1t Is
ot known at this time whether he
illed the man at Las Cruces or not,
ut he did assault him.