Murder Most Foul
source date: 1890
availability: public-domain

Murder Most FoulTuesday last J. P. Ownby arrived in Silver City having in charge Jonetas Chaves, a Mexi- can charged with the murder of a Chinaman at summit section house twenty-one miles from Lordsburg on the narrow gauge railroad be- tween Lordsburg and Clifton. The section men on their way home for supper passed the ac- cused about 400 yards from the section house. At the house they found the supper all ready and the food on the table warm but the Chinese cook missing. Groans were heard proceeding from the bottom of the well which is 140 feet deep and the unconscious Chinaman discovered at the bottom. Being hoisted to the surface he was found to be fatally wounded by a blow of an ax on the side of the head. He never recov- ered consciousness but died in a few hours. The Mexican was followed, arrested, and taken before Justice Titus, at Lordsburg, who sent him to jail to await the action of the grand jury. A new pair of blankets which were in the sec- tion house and about $40 in money which the Chinaman had were missing, but neither of these nor any other incriminating evidence was found with Chavez. A few small drops of blood were found upon his clothing which he says came from his nose bleeding. The evidence so far adduced is not in any way conclusive as to the Mexican’s guilt.

ere missing, but neither of these nor any other incriminating evidence was found with Chavez. A few small drops of blood were found upon his clothing which he says came from his nose bleeding. The evidence so far adduced is not in any way conclusive as to the Mexican’s guilt. One theory in regard to the murder is that it may have been com- mitted by an American section hand who was discharged the day before and who knew the Chinaman had the money. When the section hands met Chavez on their way home he acted in a natural and unsuspicious manner, this to- gether with the absence of the missing property makes it very probable that he is innocent. Chavez says he was born and raised in Las Cruces where he has many relatives and friends.