Silver City Enterprise — 1888-1890 (full OCR, Internet Archive) — 1888-06-22
source date: 1888
availability: public-domain

Dr* Thatcher's Suicide

Dr. E. C. Thatcher, a former physician of this city and well-known throughout southern Arizona, recently suicided at Ramona, Cali- fornia. The particulars of which are obtained from the San Diego Sun : He was addicted to the use of cocoaine. The proprietor of the hotel passed the doctor’s room and noticing blood on the floor, entered the room, and found the form of the doctor extended upon the bed. He was fully dressed, and from a wound in his throat was still slowly trickling a stream of blood. His head rested in a pool of the scarlet fluid, which had overflowed and run down over the white coverlet onto the floor. An examina- tion of the body showed that life was already extinct. On the bureau, just beneath the look- ing glass, was lying open a case of surgical in- struments and by the side of it was a long lancet covered with blood. It was evident that the doctor had stood before the looking glass, taken the lancet from the case and baring his neck had made an incision in the left jugular vein. Evidently fearing that this would not make the end certain he had made another incision a short distance to one side. Then lay- ing the lancet down upon the bureau he had walked to the bed, on which he had thrown himself and slowly bled to death. Mr. Ricker is of the opinion that he had not been dead more than a few moments when discovered.

another incision a short distance to one side. Then lay- ing the lancet down upon the bureau he had walked to the bed, on which he had thrown himself and slowly bled to death. Mr. Ricker is of the opinion that he had not been dead more than a few moments when discovered. Jim Cummings, who has been employed on the King mine at Clifton, has been arrested for the murder of poor' “Yorkie,” which oc- curred on north Percha last fall. There are five others under indictment for the same crime. “Yorkie” lived in Silver City about five years ago. He was a good natured boy and generally liked. Pete Spence, who is well known through- out the west, especially in Grant County and Tombstone, recently planted another victim at Clifton. He had some trouble with one “Cur- ley,” who also lived in Grant County at one time. “Curley” was to some extent mixed in some of the ore stealing then going on in this section, and later on became the running mate of Renick, of stage robbing notoriety. It was ( 13 )

. He had some trouble with one “Cur- ley,” who also lived in Grant County at one time. “Curley” was to some extent mixed in some of the ore stealing then going on in this section, and later on became the running mate of Renick, of stage robbing notoriety. It was ( 13 ) generally supposed that the reason “Curley” did not join Renick in his robbing exploit was be- cause he lacked the nerve. “Curly” delighted in putting himself up as a bad man, but he was not considered dangerous. He was only a bluffer, but was of no benefit to any community. The killing is said to be justifiable. Pete has been in a good many affairs of this kind but has always, it seems, had justice and the law on his side.

up as a bad man, but he was not considered dangerous. He was only a bluffer, but was of no benefit to any community. The killing is said to be justifiable. Pete has been in a good many affairs of this kind but has always, it seems, had justice and the law on his side. A rare exhibition of horsemanship was displayed on the streets last week. A cowboy who had filled his tank with liquid lightning, offered to bet $50 that he “could ride anything that wore hair.” Another cowboy took the bet, and brought forth a cayuse famous for buck- ing. The drunken cowboy was not slow in mounting and while the cayuse was rearing and pitching, crossed both legs around the horn of the saddle, then quietly rolled a cigarette and sat and smoked as contentedly as though he were in a rocking chair. When the horse ceased to pitch the money was turned over and most of the boys took their straight. As the rider drained his poison, he quietly remarked, “Well, I thought you had something hard to ride.”

d sat and smoked as contentedly as though he were in a rocking chair. When the horse ceased to pitch the money was turned over and most of the boys took their straight. As the rider drained his poison, he quietly remarked, “Well, I thought you had something hard to ride.” The practice of carrying fire arms on the the range has deprived many a good man of his life, and in many instances has deprived a family of its support. The following telegram from Springerville shows what may happen when men are armed : During the round-up of cattle John McGee, Dick Jenkins and Robert Thomas, captain of the round-up, quarreled and all drew six-shooters. Jenkins was shot twice; Thomas was shot in the leg, which was am- putated. Jenkins is dead; he leaves a wife and family and an estate of $50,000. Thomas will also die. J. J. Taylor, the leader of the gang of Mexicans who fired upon a Sonora train a few weeks ago, was formerly a Silver City black- smith engaged in business with G. M. W. Carvil. He also worked on mining property hereabouts. He was the man first suspected as he lost a hat at the scene of the robbery. Subsequently he confessed. Two of his confederates have been killed by officers and another badly wounded. Manuel Robles, who is probably the man in- dicted with Pilar here for murder at Santa Rita,

was the man first suspected as he lost a hat at the scene of the robbery. Subsequently he confessed. Two of his confederates have been killed by officers and another badly wounded. Manuel Robles, who is probably the man in- dicted with Pilar here for murder at Santa Rita, has escaped so far though believed to be wounded. Taylor and one Mexican have been surrendered to Mexican officers and taken to Mexico where they will undoubtedly be quick- ly executed. A Memphis rite lodge of Masons has re- cently been organized in this city. Last week Dick Hudson sold sixteen choice beeves to Dave Gaul for 5 cents per pound dressed. From the June 30. 1888, Issue of The Enterprise Peter Spence Shooting The Particulars of the Killing of a MexicanLast week the Enterprise briefly told of a killing by Pete Spence, of this county, over in Arizona. The Clifton Clarion gives the follow- ing particulars: At Henry Longmore’s saloon at Morenci, about 2 o’clock, June 20th, a shoot- ing affair occurred between a Mexican named Martinez and Pete Spence, in which the former met his death and the latter was wounded. The following account, which is hastily gathered from Spence and other Americans present, is, of course, only one side of the question.

shoot- ing affair occurred between a Mexican named Martinez and Pete Spence, in which the former met his death and the latter was wounded. The following account, which is hastily gathered from Spence and other Americans present, is, of course, only one side of the question. At the hours above named, all were in the saloon, Martinez accompanied by seven or eight of his friends, when Spence, hoping to bring an old dispute to an amicable settlement, invited all hands up to take a drink. They all moved to the bar, Spence stepping around the corner to a position partly behind the counter. Martinez, however, refused to drink, and just as Spence set down his glass the Mexican pulled his gun and pointed it direct at Spence’s head. The latter was quick enough to grab Martinez’s hand and draw his own pistol. Both fired nearly at the same time, the bullet from Mar- tinez’s gun striking Spence a glancing blow on the forehead, while the former received his death wound in the neighborhood of the right nipple. Both fell to the floor together, Spence stunned and temporarily unconscious. While thus prostrate the balance of the Mexicans made a savage attack upon him, some firing shot after shot at him to the number of eight or ten, while others rushed out and pelted him with rocks. ( 14 )

to the floor together, Spence stunned and temporarily unconscious. While thus prostrate the balance of the Mexicans made a savage attack upon him, some firing shot after shot at him to the number of eight or ten, while others rushed out and pelted him with rocks. ( 14 ) nephew of the dead man, is said to have emptied his pistol. Miraculous to relate, however, Spence escaped with slight flesh wounds, one in each hand. Coming to himself Pete found that his pistol had been shot out of his hand, and in some manner, of which he has no distinct recollection, he managed to escape from the furies of the Mexicans and made his way with all possible speed toward Clifton and surren- dered himself to Justice Sias.

Pete found that his pistol had been shot out of his hand, and in some manner, of which he has no distinct recollection, he managed to escape from the furies of the Mexicans and made his way with all possible speed toward Clifton and surren- dered himself to Justice Sias. One of the heretofore unwritten but truth- ful chapters in the history of the Nogales train robbery is, that after the murderous and suc- cessful attack upon the train the robbers fled to where their horses had been left. When pre- paring to mount Taylor made known the fact that he had lost his hat, whereupon Nieves, who was killed by the sheriff’s posse in the Whetstone mountains, drew his pistol and said, “Your losing your hat will lead to our detection and arrest, and to save your neck you’ll give the rest of us away, and the only way to save ourselves is to kill you.” When he said this Taylor fell upon his knees and begged piteously for his life. The other robbers, moved by his appeals, asked Nieves to spare him, which he reluctantly did. Subsequent events proved that he was correct in his estimate of Taylor’s char- acter, for the loss of his hat led to his detection and arrest, and he in order to shield himself, gave away his companions in crime.

ppeals, asked Nieves to spare him, which he reluctantly did. Subsequent events proved that he was correct in his estimate of Taylor’s char- acter, for the loss of his hat led to his detection and arrest, and he in order to shield himself, gave away his companions in crime. Luke Brothers have received orders from San Gabriel, California, for a carload of empty whiskey barrels, which will be used for wine casks. Arrangements are going on for the execu- tion of Pilar Perez next Friday. The scaffold will be erected on the north side of the jail and be enclosed to shut off the view from the public. John Patton, of the Enterprise force, has been engaged to read the death warrant to the victim and to act as interpreter. An advertisement of a store in a mining- camp in this county mentions the following articles kept for sale: “Dry goods, fresh beef, clothing, boots and shoes, caps and fuse, post- age stamps, charcoal and giant powder.” “Unjustifiable Homicide" Norman Buck Killed at Lordsburg by Otter Johnson

t of a store in a mining- camp in this county mentions the following articles kept for sale: “Dry goods, fresh beef, clothing, boots and shoes, caps and fuse, post- age stamps, charcoal and giant powder.” “Unjustifiable Homicide" Norman Buck Killed at Lordsburg by Otter Johnson At 11 o’clock on Sunday last the startling information was flashed to this city by wire that on the evening previous Norman Buck had been shot and instantly killed by Otter John- son, in Lordsburg, the home of both gentlemen. Buck had resided there less than two years, coming from Texas, where he had made a tem- porary location after graduating in the law. He was a bright young man, and during his short sojourn here had made many warm friends and, as he was a man of strong preju- dices and generally expressed his opinion pretty freely, he had not a few enemies in this section of the county. His death, however, was a great surprise to his many friends here, who mani- fested great anxiety to obtain the full particu- lars, which, as near as the Enterprise can as- certain, are about as follows:

pretty freely, he had not a few enemies in this section of the county. His death, however, was a great surprise to his many friends here, who mani- fested great anxiety to obtain the full particu- lars, which, as near as the Enterprise can as- certain, are about as follows: On Wednesday of last week, Prof. Philpin, who had but recently been married, and was living at Shakespeare, came into Lordsburg to take the train for some point in Arizona, where he had accepted a situation with a mercantile establishment. While in Lordsburg he got drunk and missed the train. Buck and Philpin were friends, and in the evening Buck got Philpin into the former’s office, where the inebriated man soon fell asleep. In the meantime Otter Johnson had written a letter to Mrs. Philpin, at Shakespeare, about three miles from Lordsburg, in which he stated that her husband was drunk and that she had better come and look after him; also stating that he (Philpin) was in his (Johnson’s) house. When the lady arrived in Lordsburg she soon found her husband, and a scene followed. Philpin had partially sobered up, and after the family breach was somewhat healed, both husband wife naturally turned on Johnson for his interference in matters that did not concern him. Mrs. Philpin wanted her husband to go and whip Johnson, stating that she would do it herself if he did not.

sobered up, and after the family breach was somewhat healed, both husband wife naturally turned on Johnson for his interference in matters that did not concern him. Mrs. Philpin wanted her husband to go and whip Johnson, stating that she would do it herself if he did not. Through Mr. Buck’s counsel and assist- ance, the tipsy husband was persuaded to take a train for his destination. Mr. Buck remarked, however, that he would buy the whip and go along and see that Mrs. Philpin got a fair show if she desired to whip Johnson. This was Thurs- ( 15 ) day night and the matter was dropped until the two men met in front of Johnson’s store Satur- day night, when Johnson brought the subject up. One word brought on another until Buck secured a piece of 2x4 scantling with which he struck at Johnson two or three times. Johnson then pulled his six-shooter, when Buck started to run. Eye witnesses state that Johnson then took deliberate aim and fired, the ball entering the head at the base of the brain on the right side and lodging beneath the skin just above the left eye.

or three times. Johnson then pulled his six-shooter, when Buck started to run. Eye witnesses state that Johnson then took deliberate aim and fired, the ball entering the head at the base of the brain on the right side and lodging beneath the skin just above the left eye. Dr. Simpson and W. H. Small immediately arrested Johnson, after which he was turned over to the constable. The feeling in Lordsburg at the time was very strong, and is still bitter against Johnson, and, for a while lynch-law was freely talked of, but better council pre- vailed, and at 2 o’clock Monday morning, H. Ambler, assisted by Mike McNichols and Walter Fawcett, started to bring the prisoner over land to this city. They arrived here about 1 o’clock of the same day. The prisoner was first taken to visit his wife and little girl, who reside on Yankie street. They have been living here for more than a year for the purpose of educating the girl, who is a fair haired child of about eleven years. He was then taken to the county jail and locked up, where he will probably remain until after the next meeting of the grand jury, as he waived his preliminary examination before Judge Greaves, of Lords- burg. The coroner’s jury returned a verdict of “unjustifiable homicide,” and that the “de- ceased came to his death from a gun shot wound, from the hands of Otter Johnson.”

next meeting of the grand jury, as he waived his preliminary examination before Judge Greaves, of Lords- burg. The coroner’s jury returned a verdict of “unjustifiable homicide,” and that the “de- ceased came to his death from a gun shot wound, from the hands of Otter Johnson.” A representative of the Enterprise called on Mrs. Johnson, and found the lady in great mental distress. She believes that her husband is not guilty of murder, and will sell what prop- erty they have in Lordsburg and use the money in his defense. She states that previous diffi- culty existing between the two men had no connection with the tragedy. Her husband was in the habit of going armed, and did not have the gun on because he was anticipating trouble. He was unlocking the door of his house at time when (as he claims) Buck assaulted him with the scantling, striking him on the shoulder. He threw his left arm up over his eyes and face as a shield, and with his right drew his gun and fired at random, not knowing or caring where.

locking the door of his house at time when (as he claims) Buck assaulted him with the scantling, striking him on the shoulder. He threw his left arm up over his eyes and face as a shield, and with his right drew his gun and fired at random, not knowing or caring where. “Why,” remarked the lady, “my husbandJs shoulder is terribly bruised where he was hit with the scantling. I employed Dr. Slough to care for his maimed shoulder.” A representa- tive of the Enterprise hunted down the doctor and asked the condition of the prisoner’s shoul- der. He replied that he would probably be called upon by the court to furnish expert testi- mony in the case, but until that time he had nothing to say. A fine horse was recently stolen from Mr. Slayback, on the Gila. The thief was followed by Back Smith to Graham County, Arizona, and the horse recovered.