Albuquerque evening citizen. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1905-1907, 1906-05-25
John Medlock Was Executed First, Followed
by David Arguello No Hitch Marred
Awful Proceedings of the Law.
MEDL LOCK WAS STRANGLED
ARGUELLO'S NECK BROKEN

the Dassart family moved there. He
had horne a good reputation and was
well known as a good husband and
father. He had hitherto led a religious
life, and was regarded as an especial
ly inOffensive man The Dassarts
moved into Bowen in June, 1908, and
occupied house near that of Arguello
and family. Arguello met Mrs. Dassart
and was Immediately infatuated with
her and in a short time made known
his affection, which she repulsed. His
attentions to her became constant, and
growing tired of repulsing him, she
finally told Mrs. Arguello of her hus-
bands behavior.
Early on the morning of the crime
Arguell had gone to the Dassart
home. The Dassarts were living in
house No, 5, directly across from the
Bowen saloon. His attentions were
again repulsed, and again Mrs. Das-
sart sent word to the wife of Arguel-
los actions. When Arguelio returned
it is said his wife upbraided him for
his actions and struck him over the
head with a big sugar bowl in the
presence of Mrs. Dassart, who had
come in to witness the quarrel. Ar
his pistol, left the house. Mrs. Das-
sart returned to her home and a few
minutes later Arguello followed her
into her home He was seen by the
people across the street in the saloon,
to open the front door, go inside and
close the door behind him. In few
minutes three shots were heard and
Arguello came outside and walked off
into The hills.
Mrs. Dassart's brother ran to the
house and found his sister lying on
/ the floor quite dead with bullet
wound through her heart. The wo-
man had evidently turned to run into
back room and was shot down in
! the doorway as she was lying on her
face, and the bullet had entered her
back.
An armed posse started out in pur-
suit of Arguello, keeping him in sight
for several miles, but he was well
armed and was able to stand them off
with a fusillade of bullets, himself
being uninjured by their shots. He
! finally got away and became a fugi-
tive from justice, living in remote
places, under assumed names, and
working as a sheep herder, ranch hand
or anything which afforded employ
ment. During this time he assisted in
the support of his family, and was
vita lhem a portion of the time. More
than two years were spent IN this
way, Arguello evading arrest all this
time, although the officials of Las
Animas county. Colorado, were con-
stantly on the watch for him. A re-
ward of $500 was offered by the coun-
ty 10" his capture, dead or alive, and
it was known he was = fugitive from
Justice. The husband of the woman
too, offered a reward of $500 for his
capture.
Early in October, 1905, Francisco
Garca informed Sheriff Davis OF
Trinidad that he believed he could
discover the murderer. and was depu-
tized L. make the arrest, He founC
that the family of Arguello had beer
living Tor year or more east oi
John jon's mesa, near Ration, and thai
ArguU'lo had worked for some time as
sheep herder for Jerome Troy. Or
ThurGday, October 19 Garcia called a
the Floyd ranch, on Johnson'G mesa
and found Arguello there. Garcia was
not p.epared to arrest his man at this
time, being unarmed. Arguello sho
him after a short scuffle. In his dy-
ing statement Garcia stated that h'
had not expected TO 9nd Arguello a
the Floyd anch, but bad come there
d on other business. II is probable tha
he on,y sought to locate his man anC
intended to return. later with assist
ance, as Arguello was known to be
desperate character and it was be
lieved by the Trinidad officers that hi
MOull resist arrest.