Democratic Sentinel, Volume 20, Number 5, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 February 1896 — HIS DOG HIS AVENGER. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

HIS DOG HIS AVENGER.

The Murderers of Tomaa Martines Brought to Justice. Don Carlos is a dog of hardy, moiy grel breed, the property of the wealthy Martinez family, of Santa Fe, N. M. He is not beautiful, but he is the hero of the countryside. Up to the time of the recent tragedy that made him famous his name was simply Carlos. The “Don” was prefixed in a feeble but praiseworthy attempt to recognize the brute’s claim to distinction. That a Mexican should so honor a dog signifies a great deal. The story of Don Carlos’

leap to fame is the story of a foul crime. Don Lorenzo Martinez, of Santa Fe, owns and operates an extensive cuttie and horse ranch at OJo de la Baca (Cow Springs), In the southeastern part of the county. Last January his sons, Tomas and Mnxlmlllano, were there looking after their father's Interests. On Thursday morning, Jan. 17, Tomas, the older of the young men, started away from the ranch on horse, back in quest of missing cattle. lie was mounted on a good horse, had a first-class saddle and bridle; was well armed and had an excellent equipment of blankets and warm clothing. Carlos, who was accustomed to such trips, eagerly followed his master. As the young man rode away ho told Maximillano that he would bo back on Sunday afternoon. Tomas Martinez never returned. On Tuesday morning, when Mnxlmlllano was becoming anxious about his missing brother, Carlos limped back to the homestead and fell exhausted on the threshold. There wns a ghastly wound In his head, and his limbs were quivering with weakness produced by loss of blood, hunger and exposure. Water was brought to the dog, and he dranic greedily. It seemed to restore sass strength, for ho barked, ran out of the house Again, looked around at the younger Martinez, and barked again, more loudly. “Yes! yes! I will come with you, my brave Garllto,” replied Maximlllano, whose fears were hoy

thoroughly arous* ed. "Only you must eat first.’’ < Ho threw the animal a piece of meat, which Carlos devoured In two gulps, and quickly saddled a horse. Tomas bad ridden south, and Maximlllano started in the

same direction. But Carlos barked distressfully, and ran almost due east, turning round every few yards with such manifest tokens of intelligence and purpose that Maximlllano spurred on his horse and blindly followed the dog. With his nose to the ground, and pausing only to drink at the brink of a creek, Carlos led the horseman nine miles across country to Don Lorenzo Martinez’s round-up corral at Lg Muralla. - As Maximlllano dismounted, Carlos, yelping as If with pain, rushed to the remains of what was evidently been an unusually large camp fire and began digging furiously in the ashes. And then, amid the black and gray

ashes disturbed by the dog, young Martinez found a curious thing. 11 was a foot—his brother’s foot. Although It was charred, be had no dlfliculty in recognizing Tomas’ heavy shoe and overshoe. A moment later he

discovered the large none of a human pelvis, burned to a dead, flaky white. All around, as his eyes grew accustomed to the sight, appeared smaller bones, but they crumbled at a touch. The riddle of the grewsome heap was solved. Jesus Vlalpando and Feliciano Chavez were arrested, tried and hanged the other day, in the presence of 2,000 people. Pablo Martinez, a brother of murdered Tomas, followed them to the scaffold. Don Carlos was at his heels. The crowd cheered the dog. Jesus Vlalpando turned his lean, dark face in time to catch a glimpse of the brute’s scarred and ferocious head, and a great shudder passed over him just as Sheriff Cunningham pulled the lever. Don Carlos’ work was done.

DON CARLOS.

JESUS VIALPANDO.

FELICIANO CHAVEZ