Rensselaer Republican, Volume 13, Number 47, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 August 1881 — Reign of Terror in New Mexico. [ARTICLE]

Reign of Terror in New Mexico.

Santa Fe special to Cincinnati Times-Star. Murder, rapine and robbery prevail along the new settlements on the San Juan, Animas and La Platte rivers, in the northwestern section of this territory. Desperadoes from Colorado raid into that section, kill and rob at pleasure, and return to Colorado when satisfied. A petition, signed by over eighty of the best citizens of Tass [Taos] and Rio Arrila [Arriba] counties, has been received by Gov. Lew. Wallace, asserting that it was safe neither for life nor for property ; that it was necessary for bands of armed men to patrol the farms of settlers at night to prevent murder and robbery. The petition sets forth that tbe county officers, are entirely unreliable and do not perform their duties and functions, and prays that arms and amu [ammu]nition be furnished them, and that the citizens be organized into militia to more effectually protect themselves. Governor Wallace is very earnest in his desire to render assistance and enforce the law, and, as from all accounts the situation is critical, and demands prompt and vigorous measures, he has concluded not to await the arrival of his successors, Governor Sheldon, but to go at once. The Adjutant-General of the territory, Captain Max Frost, has been directed by Governor Wallace to proceed at once to Rio Arrila [Arriba] county with sixty stands of rifles and 10,000 rounds of amunition [ammunition], and to organize two militia companies as a posse for a sheriff. The desperadoes seem to be under the leadership of one Ike Stockton, brother of Pete Stockton, a most hardened desperado and murderer, who was killed a few months ago at Farmington. Their headquarters are at Durango, Col., near the State line. Five days ago these two men attacked two herders, killing one of them and then fleeing back to their hiding place in Colorado: Several men have been driven from the county and ordered not to return under penalty of death. Recently a man, Anderson by name, was hung, and two other men, George Brown and Oscar E. Puett, were wantonly killed; the ranches of Garrett and Eldridge were ransacked and burnt; a Navajo Indian was killed wantonly, und the Navajos are mad and make trouble. About fifty citizens have left the county, afraid of their lives and matters are described as altogether deplorable.