Separ Shooting
source date: 1890
availability: public-domain

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. Separ ShootingThe little railroad station of Separ is fast gaining notoriety for shooters and shooting scrapes. The latest up to date occurring on Thursday of last week, being a most atrocious and dastardly piece of business. During the day several miners had been discharged at Hachita and being paid off went to Separ, the nearest railroad point. Among the miners was one named Jackson who was supposed to have $480 in his possession. Two hard characters named William Walters, alias Broncho Bill, and Mike McGinnis, who had been laying around Hachita, followed the miners to Separ for the purpose of robbing them; more especially Jackson. Ar- riving at Separ the miners put up at Armstrong’s boarding house as also did the rustlers. Mr. Armstrong having gone to the ranch and Mr.

McGinnis, who had been laying around Hachita, followed the miners to Separ for the purpose of robbing them; more especially Jackson. Ar- riving at Separ the miners put up at Armstrong’s boarding house as also did the rustlers. Mr. Armstrong having gone to the ranch and Mr. Weems being out at the hay camp there was nobody to protect the home and family. The cowardly rustlers taking advantage of the sit- uation, and after all had retired for the night, commenced shooting up the house with the in- tention of scaring the miner Jackson out of the house and getting his money which they sup- posed to be in his grip sack. They did scare him and he ran out of the house in his shirt sleeves without hat or coat but took his money with him. The robbers then took his gripsack and hid it in a pile of ties, where it was found by the officers. Finding their prey escaped, they became maddened and furious, going to the telegraph office dressed only in their night clothes, they tried to kill a miner there await- ing the train and inaugurated a reign of terror at the depot, much to the annoyance of the lady operator, who during all this time had been wiring dispatch after dispatch to Lords- burg for aid.