elopement of the girl…
source date: 1888
availability: public-domain

elopement of the girl. The officer had been notified and had gone on a trip to intercept the shooting party. Not finding them he was re- turning to Silver City, and was just above town when he encountered Pilar and the girl and rode along with them a short distance. He was prob- ably recognized by the fugitive but did not not know Pilar, who watched for an oppor- tunity and shot the officer in the back, fatally. The murderer fled to Socorro, then to Albu- querque, next to Arizona. The girl, who came to the city, had promptly told who did the kill- ing. For nearly two years Pilar was at large. Shriff Lairde had been given a pointer and em- ployed a colored acquaintance of the murderer to shadow the fugitive. When Pilar went into Flagstaff one day from a sheep ranch where he was employed he met the colored man and recognized him. The frightened fellow had saved $100 and concluded to use it in fleeing to California. However, the colored man gave a deputy sheriff proper information. It was arranged to invite Pilar to a baile and while he was there his capture was easily affected. While in jail at Flagstaff, he acknowledged the killing, saying that Hall shot twice at him. This was easily disproved by the condition of Hall’s revolver when found and the testimony of the Mexican maiden. However, the accused has stuck to his story and accused the girl of false- hood.

jail at Flagstaff, he acknowledged the killing, saying that Hall shot twice at him. This was easily disproved by the condition of Hall’s revolver when found and the testimony of the Mexican maiden. However, the accused has stuck to his story and accused the girl of false- hood. At the last term of court the trial took place, there was practically no defense, and in a few minutes a verdict was given that sealed his doom.