The National tribune., 1903-10-29


of that town and five more in the May
flower mining district, farther east. This
latter outrage was committed March 70
On the following day, about 10 o'clock
a. M, Judge McComas, his wife and lit
tie son. Charley, were murdered by this
band while travelling in a vehicle TO
Shakspere. where the Judge intended to
leave his family while he went to Las
Cruces. n. NJ, to attend the United States
Court. They had just left Thompson's
Canyon behind them, which was the pass
leading out of the Burro Mountains, and
emerged upon the open plain. Growing
BY the roadside were walnut trees and
blackberry and other bushes. 1t was be-
hind cluster of these, about % feet
from the road, on the right side as the
Judge was travelling, that Chatto and %
Indians lag in wait.
When the Judge and family were nearly
opposite them the Indians fred and shot
down the off-wheeler of the team and
wounded the Judge. He ran about 60
yards before he fell. The red devils then
gave wild whoop and rush, and Mrs.
McComas and her son were made cap
tiyes. Then there followed horrible scene
the details of which my pen must not
describe. 1t was fully related afterward
by the perpetrators, whom Gen. Crook re-
fused to deliver to the civil authorities.
The person of the unfortunate lady was
violated in the most brutal manner; her
clothes were dragged from her body,
which was torn and scratched most hor-
ribly. When her life was almost tortured
out, they beat the back Of her head until
her brains oozed ont; then they broke off
branches of the elder bushes and thrust
them deep into her body.
The Judges body was riddled with bui-
let's and not a stitch of clothing was left
upon it. Little Charley was never heard
of afterward.
ACCOUNTANT AND INSTRUCTOR
After my return to town with MIR.
Charouleau / had taken up the occupation
Of book-keeper, keeping the accounts of
wholesale liquor store, a grocery store
and fruit store respectively, giving ut
The same time many private lessons in
bookkeeping to young clerks. Spanish les
SONS 10 pcihS dis' iiSioSHe's
called upon to render services as inter-
preter and to translate documents for par
ties in litigation.
In the Summer of 1883 and during 4
short period in 1854 and 1885 l re visited
Hermosillo, and in the latter year the city
of Guadaia is a. in order to take comics
of documents deposited in those cities. The
attorneys of Tucson saw the tIme ap-
rroa ching when the United States would
appoint Land Court. which would def
nitely settle the validity or invalidity of
:. certain Spanish and Mexican land grants
or charters embracing immense tracts in
what afterward became United States
territory.
The lawyers representing American
claimants OF grants which had been pur-
chased by them engaged me to go to the
Capital of Sonora and copy for them such
documents as they thought necessary in
their respective cases. and to have my
copies certified to by the Secretary of the
State. The documents l went to- copy
We're generally kept in stone safe thick
II cemented and safely shut in by q heavy
iron door fastened by three enormous
radlocks attached to strong iron bars.
MEXICAN MURi.ER TRIAL.
In Hermosilo looked up Mr.. Jose Ser
mino, a cousin of my mother-in-law. As
she had informed me- found him an cd
ish gentleman of good education and cour-
teous manners, q Judge in the Superior
This court, with the exception of two
months in the hight of Summer, was il
session daily from a. m. to IL IN.
Upon the invitation Of my distant but
friendly relative l visited the court while
IN session, and witnessed the trial of a
half-breed who had stabbed his wife SO
seriously that she died Of her wounds
after a month. The trial was very short,
NOT occupying over an hour. Jury there
was none. 1t would be q foolish institu-
ton In country seven-eights Of whose
population consists Of Indians. The Dis
trict Attorney Qicensiado del Estado,
made plain statement Of facts and intro
pointed for the defense by the Court then
made his statement and introduced two
witnesses, who testified to great pro-
vocation" FOR the fatal act. No
cross-examination OF witnesses by either
attorney was allowed The Presiding
Judge asked such questions Of the wit
nesses on both sides as he thought neces-
sary to further elucidate the case. and
then gave each attorney 10 minutes for
bis final statement, the prosecution lead
ing.
1t was evident to me from the Presid-
ing Judges conduct Of the trial and his
Intelligent interrogatory of the witnesses
that he was well learned in the law and n
very sensible man. As soon as the defense
had closed the final argument. the Chief
Justice opened the statutes, laid his fore
finger upon paragraph, and showed the
place to his two associates. They both
nodded their heads in sign of assent The
prisoner was ordered to stand up and re-
csive sentence. This latter read: "Ten
years States prison."
LIVING PRISON WALL.
When the court adjourned Mr. Sermino
invited me to dine with him at his house.
During the after-dinner conversation II
occurred to me to ask where the State
prison was located.
"Well," began my host, ut Is really a
very peculiar institution; one, the like of
which you have probably never SEEN"
What are its peculiar featuresT ]
asked, land where does 1t stand?"
at does not often stand long on one
place; it moves about quite frequently
said the Judge.
who moves it, and what for?" I asked
PUNISHMENT.
ut moves itself; it walks! See here
my boy; to-day is Friday. On the day
after tomorrow be here at o'clock a. m
sharp, and you will see our State prison
walk by this house; l will therefore say nc
more now"
Of course l was promptly on hand, and
the matter was explained. The sound OF
drum, rapidly approaching, brought us
TO the door, in from. Of which passing
through the middle of the street, there
marched about so unarmed men all clothed
IL -