Silver City Enterprise — 1888-1890 (full OCR, Internet Archive) — 1888-12-28
source date: 1888
availability: public-domain

A shooting scrape on Christmas eve at Georgetown, resulted in a Mexican receiving a shot in the abdomen. It would seem that the Mexican, whose name we have been unable to learn, entertained a grudge against Billy Roberts and to satisfy this, he began stoning Roberts, who refrained from firing until after he had been struck two or three times in the face. Then forebearance ceased to be a virtue, and Roberts shot the Mexican as above stated. Strange to say the physician’s have some hope of the Mexican’s recovery. Public sentiment is in favor of Roberts. ( 25 ) Another Killing A. L. McAfee Shot Dead and Steve Hudson Seriously Wounded. Again is the Enterprise compelled to chronicle one of those terrible and shocking tragedies which occur entirely too frequently to be justified in a community where law and order is supposed to prevail. The killing occurred Saturday between 5 and 6 p.m., on the public road between Central and the Hall ranch. The following is the Hudson version of the affair:The Hudson brothers were in the employ of S. T. Harkey, of this city and were in charge of the NAN cattle and ranches. They were on their way from this city to the ranch and when on the west bank of the first ravine this side of the Hall ranch, as they state, they met McAfee, who was leading one of the NAN horses and riding another.

and were in charge of the NAN cattle and ranches. They were on their way from this city to the ranch and when on the west bank of the first ravine this side of the Hall ranch, as they state, they met McAfee, who was leading one of the NAN horses and riding another. Steve Hudson asked him what he was doing with the stock, when, as the Hudsons state, he replied that it was none of their business. At this Steve states that both drew at the same time and fired, Steve was shot through the neck, and McAfee fell dead from his horse, the ball passing through his head, entering just above the eye. Steve says that he fired two shots, and does not know which one took effect. He also says that his brother Ed., who carried a Winchester, did not fire at all. The Hudsons then rode back to Central and notified the officers and not finding a physician continued to Fort Bayard where Steve entered the hospital, where he has since been in a very critical condition, but the chances now seem to be in favor of his re- covery. His wind pipe was cut with the ball. Ed was arrested at the hospital and is now in jail. He refused to be interviewed by an Enterprise reporter. His preliminary examina- tion will probably be held tomorrow.

ion, but the chances now seem to be in favor of his re- covery. His wind pipe was cut with the ball. Ed was arrested at the hospital and is now in jail. He refused to be interviewed by an Enterprise reporter. His preliminary examina- tion will probably be held tomorrow. It is claimed that the ball taken from McAfee’s head was that of a 44 Winchester, but Steve Hudson, who carried a 45 colt, states that he was in the habit of using such cartridges in his pistol. The following statement is made by the friends of the late A. L. McAfee, and Geo. F. Patrick. It is first but fair to state that there has been considerable trouble over the NAN brand of cattle, and that there is now a case concerning the property in court.“The Hudsons were working on the NAN ranch as the employes of S. T. Harkey. On the 18th of December Geo. F. Patrick went out and took peaceable possession of the upper house on the NAN ranch, which has not been occupied since the Indian raid. J. D. Simmons, Sul. Simmons and John Dodd accompanied him to look after his interests. On the 19th S. T. Harkey and Steve Hudson swore out a writ for the arrest of Geo. F. Patrick, Wm. A. McAfee, O. N. Meyers and J. D. Simmons for creating an unlawful assembly and for taking a wagon from the NAN ranch.

n Dodd accompanied him to look after his interests. On the 19th S. T. Harkey and Steve Hudson swore out a writ for the arrest of Geo. F. Patrick, Wm. A. McAfee, O. N. Meyers and J. D. Simmons for creating an unlawful assembly and for taking a wagon from the NAN ranch. On Saturday, the 22d, the case came up for trial and was continued until Monday, when it was dismissed. On Fri- day, the 21st, A. L. McAfee, who had come into Silver City to spend the holidays with his sister, Mrs. Geo. F. Patrick, was asked to go out and get two of the partnership horses which were then in the possession of Dodd and Sul Simmons, to enable Meyers and J. D. Sim- mons to get back to the ranch without hiring horses. Mr. McAfee went to get the horses, not having anything to do with the matter in dis- pute, and not anticipating any trouble with the Hudson’s, or anyone else. He stayed over night at the NAN ranch and started back to Silver on the morning of the 22d. He came by the box ranch, stopped over a while to rest and then continued his journey towards Silver City, coming down the Whitewater road, riding one and leading the other animal.

e stayed over night at the NAN ranch and started back to Silver on the morning of the 22d. He came by the box ranch, stopped over a while to rest and then continued his journey towards Silver City, coming down the Whitewater road, riding one and leading the other animal. After the trial had been postponed at 2 p.m., of the 22d, the Hudsons left Silver, fol- lowing Judge Fielder and Mr. Ward, who were in a buggy, to the southeast corner of the reservation fence, going through Central to where Judge Fielder and Mr. Ward stopped at the mine, the Hudson’s then passing them, Ed. armed with a gun and Steve with a pistol. This road is about two miles north of the Whitewater road. The point at which the Hudsons were last seen by Judge Fields and Mr. Ward is at least three miles beyond where McAffe was killed, thus showing that the Hudsons turned back and followed McAfee till they overtook him two miles south and a little west of Central, where the killing occurred. This, taken in con- nection with the fact that there were two men on the one side and only one the other, will ( 26 ) be judged of in its proper light by all fair minded people.”

they overtook him two miles south and a little west of Central, where the killing occurred. This, taken in con- nection with the fact that there were two men on the one side and only one the other, will ( 26 ) be judged of in its proper light by all fair minded people.” Mr. McAfee came from Colorado, and has resided here about five years. The remains were brought to this city on Sunday. The funeral took place from the residence of George F. Patrick on Monday afternoon, Rev. Lowe preaching the funeral sermon. Caught Out In Storm J. L. Hall Nearly Loses Life In Heavy Snow Storm From Frank W. Graham, who is in from his ranch in the Mogollons, the Enterprise learns the following particulars of the freezing of J. L. Hall, who came near losing his life in the recent storm. Mr. Hall engaged to ac- company a friend to summit of the divide, and in returning to the ranch was, in some manner, unhorsed, after which he attempted to make his way on foot, but became bewildered and lost his way. The horse arrived at the ranch on the following day, when search for Hall was immediately commenced. After being dismount- ed Mr. Hall attemped to make his way on foot, but as the snow was three feet deep he made slow progress, and late on the first night fell exhausted in the snow and soon dropped to sleep. The snow was falling fast, soon covering

immediately commenced. After being dismount- ed Mr. Hall attemped to make his way on foot, but as the snow was three feet deep he made slow progress, and late on the first night fell exhausted in the snow and soon dropped to sleep. The snow was falling fast, soon coveringhim, and in the morning when he awoke he was buried under several inches of snow which had fallen during the night. After digging him- self out, as it were, he began his slow and painful search for a habitation, which con- tinued the balance of the day and the follow- ing night. In the meantime the weather had turned colder and the sufferings of the wan- derer must have been terrible. On the third day he struck a ranch where he was kindly cared for. He was terribly frozen, the flesh dropping from his feet. He was found by his friends, and in a wagon, was sent to Socorro, a journey, which, owing to the deep snow, was lengthened to eight days. He arrived in this city Thursday night and is now under the care of Dr. Slough, at the hospital. It may be necessary to amputate all his toes, but it is probable that his feet can be saved. Mr. Graham states the snow fell to a depth of about three feet over the plains of western Socorro county.

sday night and is now under the care of Dr. Slough, at the hospital. It may be necessary to amputate all his toes, but it is probable that his feet can be saved. Mr. Graham states the snow fell to a depth of about three feet over the plains of western Socorro county. The mail carrier from Magdalena to the Plaza, on the ’Frisco, was three weeks making the trip with four horses, and that without carrying express matter. His cheeks were frozen. Pat Higgins and son, who were out in the storm, had their feet badly frozen, but managed to get home. The antelope and cattle on the plains have been dying rapidly of hunger and cold. Among the other calamities the Plaza was out of Whisky for several weeks. ( 27 ) ■ _ - . ’ ■ ' 1889