158 
EVENTS AT 
frontier towns, which, as usual, was attended by quite 
a mixed company. As these dancing parties, called 
“ fandangos,” are open to all, the vagabonds prowling 
about at the time were numerously represented on the 
occasion referred to, and made themselves conspicu- 
ous by their conduct. Pistols were fired over the 
heads of the females, who, in their alarm, attempted to 
escape from the room ; but this was prevented by 
ruffians stationed at the door. By this time there was 
a great excitement within, and several desperadoes 
commenced using their bowie-knives. Mr. Ed^j^ard C. 
Clarke, the Assistant Quarter-master of the Commission, 
who was present on the occasion, was the first person 
upon whom the ruffians attempted to satiate their 
thirst for blood. Four attacked him with their knives, 
and he fell near the door dreadfully wounded. He 
was immediately taken to the quarters of Dr. Bigelow, 
the surgeon of the Commission, who, on examination, 
found he had received nine or ten deep wounds, 
inflicted with bowie-knives, in his breast and abdo- 
men. Another man named Gates was also wounded 
by a pistol-shot in the leg. Dr. Bigelow at once pro- 
nounced the wounds of Mr. Clarke mortal, and he 
died the following morning. 
When the startling announcement was made, that 
an officer of the Commission had been foully murdered 
by the wretches whose lawlessness had before gone 
too long unchecked, the question arose, what was to 
be done? Aid from the military had been refused. 
The alcalde of the village, a weak and sickly imbecile, 
had transferred his authority to another even more 
timid and less reliable than himself; yet this person 
