H Morgan to Señor Mariscal, December 3, 1881

Mr. Morgan to Señor Mariscal.

Sir: Thomas N. Gartrell, and his wife, Nellie J. Gartrell, citizens of the United States, arrived at the city of Chihuahua from El Paso, Tex., in July last. Their purpose was to travel in the republic of Mexico. At Chihuahua they purchased saddle-horses and pack-mules, and employed a Mexican servant to accompany them on their travels. They reached Hidalgo del Panal, Chihuahua, where they remained several days. They then proceeded to the city of Durango, stopping at various points en route, especially Tudé, State of Durango, where they remained a week or more.

They left Durango, during the latter part of the month of September, for Mazatlan, after which nothing was heard of them until about the 10th of October, when their bodies were found about ten leagues from the city of Durango, on the Mazatlan road. They had evidently been murdered for the purpose of robbery. It would seem that the man was shot while asleep. It is supposed that the woman must have been awakened by the discharge of fire-arms, and had attempted to make her escape, as her body was discovered about one hundred paces from that of her husband. Her clothing had been torn to rags, and her body showed marks which she had received in her struggle with her assassin. As it was known that she wore on her person a belt containing gold, the object of the assault upon her was doubtless to obtain this gold. They had also with them drafts on a banking-house in San Antonio, Tex., for a considerable amount which are said to have been taken possession of.

The servant who was with them has not been seen since they left Durango. Suspicion naturally points to him as the murderer. His name, I regret to say, I am not able to furnish, but as the party tarried some time at Chihuahua, where they hired the servant, it would seem that the authorities at that place would not have great difficulty in ascertaining who he was.

The foregoing are the facts, as they have been reported to my government, and I have been instructed to submit them to the consideration of your excellency’s government, and, as the murder appears to have been a particularly aggravated one, to request that it take the competent measures for the arrest of the offender, his prosecution and punishment.

I renew to your excellency, &c.,