166 EVENTS AT 
was taken to the spot where he was to be executed. 
His last request for himself was that he might be 
buried as respectably as the circumstances of his case 
would admit. While standing under the tree, with 
the rope around his neck, he begged to be allowed 
to say a few words to those around: He exhorted 
those both younger and older than himself, to take 
warning from his example. They could see what 
gambling, swearing, drinking, and an ungovernable 
temper, with evil associates, had brought him to. He 
had run away from home at the age of fourteen, 
and would never see that home again. With other 
remarks of like character, he concluded. At half past 
4 o'clock, p. M., the law was carried into effect, using 
the same tree where the three others were executed. 
Young was a native of one of the western States. He 
had been several years on the Mexican frontier, and 
was well known in Texas as a most desperate character. 
The well-merited punishment of these four men 
was highly applauded and justified by both the civil 
and military authorities of the frontier. Such am 
example had been needed for some time. The vicinity 
was now rid of gangs of worthless desperadoes; a2 
as a Mexican citizen of the peaceable old town of 
Socorro remarked, “ We can now sit in the evening at 
the doors of our houses, and not be obliged, as before, 
to retire with the sunlight, fix bolts and bars, and 
huddle into corners with fear and trembling.” 
February 22d. n return for the civilities extended 
to me and the officers of the Commission by the autho- 
rities of El Paso, I gave a dinner to the Mexican Com- 
mission and the public authorities, which came off yeste™ 
