New-York Times / May 24, 1888
DURANGO, Mexico, May 24. -- Troops near San Miguel de Maquital executed seven bandits Wednesay for a murder and a robbery committed at a hacienda owned by an American named Muller. The robbers, assisted by some of the local peons, attacked the house while the family were partaking of supper. Mrs. Muller and her son, a school teacher, and Mr. Muller were present. The intention was only to kill Muller, for they shot him five times and then finished him with knives.
After completing their supper the men searched the house and store for all the valuables that could be found. Mrs. Muller was dragged about roughly and compelled to show where any valuables were kept. Seven of the murderers were arrested and the party started for the Judge at San Miguel de Mequital. But as ordinary trials are long, cost money, and are not always either profitable or satisfactory, these seven prisoners were given the short way to justice by the "ley de fuego," that is, they were allowed to try to escape, and in this effort for freedom were all shot dead. In Mexico when any prisoner tries to escape an officer has the right to kill him on the spot. The soldiers are in full pursuit of the others engaged in the robbery and murder, and it is expected that all will be captured and killed.
The authorities here seem determined that Durango shall be free of this class of people if it takes one-third of all inhabitants. The timbered mountains in the west of Durango have been for years a harbor for the worst class of men in Mexico, just as it is along the Rio Grande, and nothing but what is being done now can clear the country of such men.
