Silver City Enterprise — 1888-1890 (full OCR, Internet Archive) — 1890-02-28
source date: 1890
availability: public-domain

More Stolen Stock Mention was made in last week’s Enter- prise of the arrest on the Gila of Frank Murray, George West, Harry Tacket and A. C. Dolores, with twenty-four head of stolen stock in their possession, besides three fine stallions which they were riding. Soon after their arrest Sher- iff Whitehill intercepted a postal card from R. L. Morgan, an employe of Head & Heart’s, in charge of the Cow Springs ranch, asking Frank Murray to come and take away ten head of stock horses left at Cow Springs. This was a clue for the wily sheriff, and he sent down for the horses, subpoenaing Morgan as a wit- ness. The stock was brought in and is now in the sheriff’s charge. No reflection was cast upon Morgan in the transaction, as he is understood to be a first-class man, simply allowing Murray to leave his stock there until he could send for it. On Monday, West, Murray and Tacket were turned over to Sheriff Barela of Dona Ana County, where the three are wanted for a theft committed some time ago. Since the capture it turns out that West and Murray are well-known hard cases, and are badly wanted in Arizona and that a reward ( 8 )

Murray and Tacket were turned over to Sheriff Barela of Dona Ana County, where the three are wanted for a theft committed some time ago. Since the capture it turns out that West and Murray are well-known hard cases, and are badly wanted in Arizona and that a reward ( 8 ) of $1000 is offered by Arizona parties for the capture of West. If this is correct the parties making the capture are in luck. The party consisted of Deputy Sheriff Bud Moore, A. C. Windham, Steve Nickson and Frank Richard- son, the three latter being from the lower Gila, having come to town for the purpose of attend- ing a stock meeting. They volunteered their services to assist in the capture, and left this city with the deputy about 12 m. Tuesday night, making the arrest on the Gila early the next morning. The recovery of the ten head from Cow Springs, with those found in the possession of the thieves on the Gila, making thirty-seven head in all, is a capture of considerable impor- tance. The capture of the thieves, however, is of far more importance and the chances are that it will be many years before they again come into possession of other people’s property. The deputy sheriff and the three citizens who effected the capture deserve some recog- nition and consideration from the stock associa- tion which meets in this city today. A Bridge Wanted

it will be many years before they again come into possession of other people’s property. The deputy sheriff and the three citizens who effected the capture deserve some recog- nition and consideration from the stock associa- tion which meets in this city today. A Bridge Wanted Capt. M. Cooney, of the Mogollons, has been in the city for some days past, and has been circulating a petition asking the county com- missioners to bridge the Gila. When interviewed the captain stated: “The bridge, as everyone knows, is an ab- solute necessity, and should by all means be built this spring.” “Where should it be located, captain?” “Well, in my opinion there is only one place on the river at which it is practical to build a bridge, and that is opposite old Fort West. There you have a solid rock foundation on both sides, and the river is narrow. Why, it would not cost much to build the bridge.” “How much?” “Well, I think $1,500 would do it. There is splendid timber on the Sagatone, which could be hewn down, and have hauling in lumber. I would suggest that a commission be appointed to select the site for the bridge who are not in- terested along the river. The last commission could not agree on a location because they were all interested, and were cat-hauling each other. If a good substantial bridge is built, all of the

t that a commission be appointed to select the site for the bridge who are not in- terested along the river. The last commission could not agree on a location because they were all interested, and were cat-hauling each other. If a good substantial bridge is built, all of the trade of the Luna and upper Frisco valley will be diverted from Socorro in this direction, and is worth looking after.” This is a matter on which the board should act at its next meeting. There is no time for delay. “NOT GUILTY” Was the Verdict of the Jury in the Redding Case The trial of the case of the territory vs. Robert Redding, indicted for the killing of George W. Manley, at Central City, Oct. 3rd, 1888, was begun Friday morning the 21st in- stant, in the district court now in session here, and terminated at 10 o’clock Saturday night, the 22nd. The case was one of absorbing in- terest. It is probable that no case tried in this county ever attracted more attention. The court house was thronged with anxious spectators from the beginning to the end of the trial, and on Saturday night, when the final arguments were being made, there was scarcely standing room in the court house, the audience consisting of many of the best people in the community, including a great many ladies. HISTORY OF THE CASE

beginning to the end of the trial, and on Saturday night, when the final arguments were being made, there was scarcely standing room in the court house, the audience consisting of many of the best people in the community, including a great many ladies. HISTORY OF THE CASE In the spring of 1888, Robt. Redding sold to Mrs. Chiles his interest in the Copper Point mine, in Lone Mountain district, this county, placing the deed in escrow, to be delivered upon the payment of the balance of the purchase price within 30 days. Mrs. Chiles and the deceased Geo. W. Man- ley were mining partners, and both interested in this purchase. Payment was not made according to the terms of the escrow, and further time was asked and granted. Before the expiration of the extension granted Manley, on behalf of Mrs. Chiles, pro- cured from some one at Pinos Altos an old agreement of Reddings, to do a certain amount of work for R. Newsham, and tendered it to Redding as part payment of the amount due for the Copper Point mine. Redding refused to ac- cept it, whereupon a quarrel and blows between Manley and Redding followed. Redding waited until the extension was up, then took the deed out of escrow, took possession of the mine and resumed work. Mrs. Chiles and Manley applied ( 9 )

opper Point mine. Redding refused to ac- cept it, whereupon a quarrel and blows between Manley and Redding followed. Redding waited until the extension was up, then took the deed out of escrow, took possession of the mine and resumed work. Mrs. Chiles and Manley applied ( 9 ) for and obtained a temporary injunction, re- straining Redding from working the mine. Upon the hearing the injunction was dissolved, the court holding that the tender of said agreement to do certain work was not a valid tender of payment, and it was also proven on said hear- ing, that Redding had proffered to do the work for Newsham whenever requested, and that no request had ever been made. The dissolution of the injunction settled the controversy in Red- ding's favor. From this time forward Manley grew more hostile toward Redding.

on said hear- ing, that Redding had proffered to do the work for Newsham whenever requested, and that no request had ever been made. The dissolution of the injunction settled the controversy in Red- ding's favor. From this time forward Manley grew more hostile toward Redding. Upon the trial for murder just ended it was proved by D. L. Belt, Deputy Sheriff, who served the injunction on Redding, that Manley said when he handed Belt the restraining order to be served, that he would have that mine or he would have blood. Shortly afterward Man- ley and the Robinson boys, brother and nephew of Mrs. Chiles, met Mr. Thompson, who was working on Copper Point mine under Redding, as he was going to work, and assaulted him with pick handles, ordering him to leave camp upon peril of his life, and chased Thompson into Red- ding’s house, where he fled for protection, and surrounded the house with arms for a half hour, Redding himself being there at the mine. Thompson left Lone Mountain. It was proved that Manley made repeated threats against Redding’s life, which threats were communi- cated to Redding. Chas. Fox, then a clerk in Neff & Stevens’ hardware store, in Silver City, testified that Manley purchased a pistol from him, and loaded it, and stated that he intended to kill Redding. Fox informed Redding of this.

Redding’s life, which threats were communi- cated to Redding. Chas. Fox, then a clerk in Neff & Stevens’ hardware store, in Silver City, testified that Manley purchased a pistol from him, and loaded it, and stated that he intended to kill Redding. Fox informed Redding of this. On the Sunday morning before the killing on Wednesday, a fight occurred between Man- ley and Joe Crizer, in the Lackey house, at Lone Mountain. Redding, seeing one of the Robin- son’s going to the house with a gun during the fight, got his own gun and went to the house, and seeing Crizer down and Manley in the act of braining him with the butt of a Winchester, ran the barrel of his own gun between Manley and Crizer, thus warding off the blow. Having quelled the fight Redding took Crizer away. The next day Manley procured a warrant at Central for Redding’s arrest, which was served on Tuesday, the trial at Central being set for Wednesday morning. On Tuesday morning Mrs. Chiles solicited Frank Thompson to intercede with Manley to drop the controversy. Thompson went to the Manley boarding house and admonished Manley to stop the trouble. Manley’s reply was “By God I will kill Bob Redding.” In the afternoon Thompson told Redding of this and warned him to look out.

k Thompson to intercede with Manley to drop the controversy. Thompson went to the Manley boarding house and admonished Manley to stop the trouble. Manley’s reply was “By God I will kill Bob Redding.” In the afternoon Thompson told Redding of this and warned him to look out. The next morning Redding started afoot to the flat south of Lone Mountain for his horse to drive to Central, and passed by the Manley boarding house. When he had passed the house and entered Wolford lane just beyond, Manley came out with a pistol in his hand, stood still a few moment and followed in nearly the same direction. They did not meet. Some two hours later Manley, Mrs. Chiles and the Robinsons ar- rived at Central. Redding reached Central a little later. Manley was seen to put his hand on the handle of his six-shooter and then pass across the street to Hutchinson’s store, passing within 25 feet of where Redding then stood. Hutchinson testified that Manley put away his pistol in the store, but in a few moments left the store and crossed the street, going toward where Redding stood. Redding stepped forward two or three steps meeting Manley, and fired four shots, three of which took effect in Man- ley’s body, and Manley died instantly.

his pistol in the store, but in a few moments left the store and crossed the street, going toward where Redding stood. Redding stepped forward two or three steps meeting Manley, and fired four shots, three of which took effect in Man- ley’s body, and Manley died instantly. Witnesses for the prosecution testified that when Manley left Hutchinson’s porch, he threw his right hand back to his hip, and started toward where Redding stood, holding his hand in the same position. Mr. R. P. Barnes and Judge Joseph Boone were the attorneys for the prosecution. Fielder & Fielder and Judge John D. Bail for the de- fense. Mr. Barnes opened the argument for the government, and presented the case for the prosecution, clearly and logically. In the eve- ning Judge Bail opened for the defense, and spoke about a half hour, in his usual strong and convincing style. Idus L. Fielder, who conducted the exami- nation on the part of the defense, followed Judge Bail, and concluded the argument for the defense, speaking about one hour. Mr. Fielder’s argument was classical, eloquent and logical, and enlisted the profound attention of the jury and audience. Judge Boone closed for the government in a fine oratorical effort, interested with humor- ous anecdotes, convulsing the audience with ( 10 )

about one hour. Mr. Fielder’s argument was classical, eloquent and logical, and enlisted the profound attention of the jury and audience. Judge Boone closed for the government in a fine oratorical effort, interested with humor- ous anecdotes, convulsing the audience with ( 10 ) laughter. He closed in a strong and serious appeal to the jury to find a conviction. The case was hotly contested on both sides. His Honor Judge McFie then charged the jury, in a very carefully prepared and able charge. The jury were out about 20 minutes, when they returned with a verdict of not guilty. A wild shout went up all over the court room, which the court could not at once suppress. Then followed scores of congratulations from Redding’s friends and general rejoicing; and thus ended a great trial. People of all classes, acquainted with Red- ding’s honorable character and worth, approve the verdict.

the court room, which the court could not at once suppress. Then followed scores of congratulations from Redding’s friends and general rejoicing; and thus ended a great trial. People of all classes, acquainted with Red- ding’s honorable character and worth, approve the verdict. Jerry Sullivan, a well known character from Rincon, who is always in trouble, at- tempted to make his escape from a deputy sher- iff from Dona Ana county, who had arrested him in Deming. Sullivan was wanted for bur- glarizing T. J. Bull’s store. It is said that Sulli- van had a pistol concealed on his person which had been given him by John Gilmo. Sullivan drew his pistol which was grabbed by the offi- cer who then drew his own, but as they had then clinched he could not use his gun to any effect, although he fired five shots. The officer then called for help which promptly came from Ben Laswell, of this city. Sullivan was soon in irons and taken to Las Cruces. He will probably not be so fortunate in escaping punishment as he has been heretofore. Wanted — A woman to cook on a ranch. No objection to a widow. Enquire at this office.

ich promptly came from Ben Laswell, of this city. Sullivan was soon in irons and taken to Las Cruces. He will probably not be so fortunate in escaping punishment as he has been heretofore. Wanted — A woman to cook on a ranch. No objection to a widow. Enquire at this office. Cattle thieves became so bold in Lincoln County that the legitimate stockmen finally or- ganized a posse, headed by a deputy sheriff, and made a raid on the McKenzie ranch, who is supposed to be the ring leader. The “gang” had been informed of their coming and had skipped, but McKenzie was captured and a large number of burnt cattle recovered. A movement of this kind should be inaugurated in Grant County, which from all reports, is full of burnt cattle from one end to the other. The claimants of such brands should be arrested, and convicted of cattle stealing. If something is not soon done to stop this promiscuous steal- ing, honest stockmen will soon be out of the business and their property in the possession of thieves.

from one end to the other. The claimants of such brands should be arrested, and convicted of cattle stealing. If something is not soon done to stop this promiscuous steal- ing, honest stockmen will soon be out of the business and their property in the possession of thieves. Jesus Garcia, a Mexican of this city, who makes a living off of his cows, had sixteen calves in his pen one night about two weeks ago. In the morning they were all gone. Mr. Garcia hunted everywhere but could not find them. After several days eight of them came back, all burnt up with brands. The rest of them have not yet returned. The returning ones came to the Noel ranch on the Mangas looking as if they had been tied out somewhere for sev- eral days. It is thought that they were taken from the pen and driven into the Burros, close herded or tied out. It is hardly likely that they were driven a great distance. There will be a reckoning one of these fine days, and some of these thieves will steal no more.