The first intimation of the tragedy reached…
source date: 1891
availability: public-domain

d blooded, brutal kill- ings that ever occurred in Grant county, if not in the territory, took place at Peter Mungall’s ranch on the Mangus, Thursday night last, the 23rd. The killing was the result of a drunken row, and who started the trouble will probably never be known. The first intimation of the tragedy reached the city on Friday, when a letter received at the sheriff’s office gave notification of the death of James Kerr, and requesting the pres- ence of officers immediately. Deputies Muse and Baca started for the scene reaching there at 10 p.m. Justice Givens also proceeded to the scene and empanneling a jury, commenced an investigation. THE JURY’S VERDICT We, the undersigned, justice of the peace and jury who sat upon the inquest held this, the 24th day of April A. D., 1891, on the body of James Kerr found in precinct No , of the county of Grant, find the deceased came to his death by reason of wound inflicted at and by the hands of Barney Kerr, with a hammer, shot- gun or crowbar. Ben F. Hopson, R. S. Allen, J. W. Brown, Paul Mitchell, Juan Ferguson, P. J. Dodd. Isaac Givens, J. P. The body was brought to town and in- terred on Saturday, but certain questions having arisen, the body was disinterred, and an autopsy was held on Sunday, Drs. Slough and Wood- ville officiating.