Monte Vista journal and Monte Vista graphic-reporter., 1924-10-10

murderer was caught few no,
, Norts Jail where he will await
wife and children.
Details Of the affair show that the
crime WAS extremely unwarranted
and the murder has caused q great
deal Of sorrow and regret in the lit
tie Mexican settlement.
Romero and = companion. Madril.
from Alamosa accom- panied by three
Mexican women drove to the plaza
In . little Overland car to attend the
dance. During the progress OF the
dance Madril caused a disturbance
and this met with = remonstrancs
from Lujan who wished to maintain
good order. This led to wordy al
tercation between Lujan and the two
Alamosa men and as Lujan advan I'D
toward Romero he received two
shots Just below the heart and ex-
pired on the floor within few min
stss. TIE gun used by Romero was
. 3s-caiibre Ivsr-Johnson.
A Lujan fell to the floor. Carlos
Espinosa srappled with the mur-
.aersr and attempted to wrest tho
gla from his hand. The two At
grips went out of the dance hall and
Romero managed to reach his car
although he was bravely fought all
the time by Espinosa. Romero start
ed the car and headed down the
road, crossed the cement bridge and
then. being unable to guide the car
with Espinosa hanging onto his pis-
tol hand. ran off the grade where
one of the car wheels buckled under
and the machine came to 4 stop.
Both msa fell out Of the car and
Espinosa jerked the gun from
Romero's hand and threw It over the
fence into 4 field. Espinosa still
tried to hold onto Romero but the
latter broke loose and entering tho
timber alonk the river disappear ID.
The officers w@e notified and
Night Marshal Mcdonald and Spec
ial Officer Lukens took \ car and
drove toward Alamoss thinking that
their man might head for his home.
A. they reached \ place about five
miles from Aiamosa = man came O,t
Of the brush from the north side Of
the road and asked the officers for
. ride. He was accommodated and
proved TO be Romero although he
denied any knowledge Of the Plaza
Whereabouts or the crime committed
that night. This was about five
o'clock In the morning. Romero hsv-
ting covered the entire distance of
nineteen miles on foot. He was re-
turned to Monte Vista and turned
over to Sheriff Harper.
An inquest was conducted ty the
coroner. DR.. 0jeiium. At Haywood
Sunday morning and tho jury EN-
pansiied returned . verdict OF mui-
der against Romero. The funcrsi
Of the slain man was held Monday
forenoon and he was buried at the
Plasa cemetery.
Al the time the crime was COM
mitted. Romero'S accomplics. Mad
ril. and the three women were de-
tained by force although they made
attempts to got away. II was be-
iieved that all the Aiamosa party
had been drinking and had come 10
the dance with the purpose Of max
ing trouble.
The effort Of Carlos Esp'nosa In
trying to take the Eian away from
Romero wss Q brave thing 10 DO and
prevented the murderer from get
ting away In his car which might
have meant . long chase before he
vas captured. The other men at the
Aancs seemed dassd By the shooting
asd diA not offer 70 assist II hold.
ias Romero.
TIE bullets that struck Lu1aa
passsA through bic body sad bit the
eeovs II he room. othsrvtss II b
almost certain that other psrsoss
would have bssn wounded.
The murdered naa wss we'll
thought Of st The Plaza and . par
tseuisriy saA part Of the affair vss
that ~ fell lsaA just at the feet Of
~ mother VIE vas spectator et
tAs 1aaee.