Silver City Enterprise — 1891 (full OCR, Internet Archive) — 1891-03-06
source date: 1891
availability: public-domain

A DOUBLE TRAGEDY A most lamentable double tragedy was en- acted at Bald Knob on the 17th instant. On train No. 53 there was a passenger by the name of John W. Graeter, who had exhibited signs of insanity to such an extent that Pullman con- ductor E. W. Leach, in whose car Graeter was, spoke about the matter, saying he was afraid that he (Graeter) would harm some one before they would get through. It was not known where he was going, but no harm was done until after the Memphis train had got in and “53” had taken on the passengers for the south and was pulling by the station. When not more than ten rods from it, bystanders on the platform saw the brakeman and Pullman conductor run out of the Pullman car, and following them was a man with a pistol in his hand, and to the horror of those in sight they saw the pistol leveled on the conductor and fired. It was seen at once that the conductor was shot, for imediately he ( 7 )

nd Pullman conductor run out of the Pullman car, and following them was a man with a pistol in his hand, and to the horror of those in sight they saw the pistol leveled on the conductor and fired. It was seen at once that the conductor was shot, for imediately he ( 7 ) t)egan to totter and soon fell from the platform. After falling he was dragged 200 yards by the bell rope, which had in some way become wrap- ped around his arm. When he was reached he was about dead, giving only two or three groans. The train was still running, and would not have stopped had not the hostler of the engine that brought in the Memphis train realized the situa- tion and blowed the “down whistle,” upon which the train pulled up.

reached he was about dead, giving only two or three groans. The train was still running, and would not have stopped had not the hostler of the engine that brought in the Memphis train realized the situa- tion and blowed the “down whistle,” upon which the train pulled up. When the crowd reached the train it was found that another man had been shot as he was sitting in his seat. When an effort was made to enter the car, Graeter was laying flat in the car with two pistols by his side, and it was some time before he could be taken from the car, as it was supposed he was insane, and no one cared to make an effort for his capture unless the drop could be obtained. For three- quarters of an hour efforts were made to get the advantage of him without success. At last a ruse was resorted to and he was told that unless he threw out his pistols the coach would be set on fire. The threat had the desired ef- fect, as he said he would surrender if promised protection. This was assured him, and he threw out his pistols and came out. He was put in the calaboose, and though under a great mental strain, seemed to know what he wanted, having telegraphed for his brother, at Vincennes, In- diana, where he is interested in the street car lines. He also wanted a good lawyer. He is genteely dressed, and has over $200 with him, besides a watch and jewelry. He talks about having to do what he did, as he said Meier and Leach had threatened to kill him.

nnes, In- diana, where he is interested in the street car lines. He also wanted a good lawyer. He is genteely dressed, and has over $200 with him, besides a watch and jewelry. He talks about having to do what he did, as he said Meier and Leach had threatened to kill him. There was but four persons in the car at the time, the murderer, John W. Graeter, of Vincennes, Indiana ; Mr. Isador Meier, traveling salesman for Foster, Hilson & Co., Thirty ninth street. New York ; E. W. Leach, the conductor, and a lady. What makes the killing of Meier especially so sad is the fact that he had came in on the Memphis train and had been in the car not over twenty minutes when the fatal shots were fired into his head, and all the while he sat in his seat unconscious, the blood and brains were flowing from his horrible wounds. The coro- ner’s jury is now at work on the case. Excite- ment, which was high for a time, is now allayed. Isador Meier was taken to Judsonia on the same train on which he was shot, arriving there about 1:30 p.m. He was placed in the hands of skullful company surgeons, but their work was of no avail, as he died at 4:30 p.m., two bullets passing through his head.

now allayed. Isador Meier was taken to Judsonia on the same train on which he was shot, arriving there about 1:30 p.m. He was placed in the hands of skullful company surgeons, but their work was of no avail, as he died at 4:30 p.m., two bullets passing through his head. John W. Graeter, the murderer, was taken to Searcy, the county seat of this (White) county by the sheriff this morning. He is a piti- ful sight, his every look and movement showing that he was insane. Every person who ap- proaches he calls upon to protect him and begs them to be his friend. There is no doubt but that Graeter will be put in some asylum as soon as he is examined by a physician. Graeter comes from one of the first families of Indiana, and is estimated to be worth $80,000. The ver- dict of the coroner was in accordance with the facts as stated in yesterday’s dispatch.

hat Graeter will be put in some asylum as soon as he is examined by a physician. Graeter comes from one of the first families of Indiana, and is estimated to be worth $80,000. The ver- dict of the coroner was in accordance with the facts as stated in yesterday’s dispatch. The J. W. Graeter above referred to is al- most undoubtedly the same man who was a partner of L. D. Miller in this city in 1885. He came here from Vincennes, Indiana, where his father and sister then resided. He frequently boasted that his business here was only a side issue and that his father was very wealthy. While here he frequently indulged in heavy drinking and gambling sprees, and at such times was cross and quarrelsome. While staying at the Broadway hotel he raised a great distur- bance one evening while under the influence of liquor. Mr. Durkee, who was a friend of Graeter’s, went into the room where Graeter lay on a bed in the dark and tried to have him keep quiet. Without warning of any kind he fired two shots at Mr. Durkee from a revolver, both bullets passing close to his abdomen and lodg- ing in the wall, where the holes may yet be soon. Mr. Durkee believes Graeter to have been insane while under the influence of liquor, while others here believe those fits to have been simply an outlet of his pure cussedness, under the guise of drunkenness, and still further believe that his recent murderous freak was of the same nature and from the same cause, in- sanity only being a dodge to escape punishment.

others here believe those fits to have been simply an outlet of his pure cussedness, under the guise of drunkenness, and still further believe that his recent murderous freak was of the same nature and from the same cause, in- sanity only being a dodge to escape punishment. Captain French, of the W. S. Ranch, ar- rived from Alma Tuesday. He reports that the floods in that section did a great deal of dam- age, washing out the fine dam which his com- pany had built across the river. Many of the farms along the valley were badly damaged by the flood in the neighborhood of Pleasanton. ( 8 ) GILA ON RAMPAGE The Enterprise learns by grapevine tele- graph that the last flood played sad havoc with Clifton, Work has been suspended by the Any- one and Detroit companies, they having sus- tained serious damages to property. The town of Clifton has been badly washed, sustaining a large amount of damage. It will be some days yet, and perhaps weeks before the narrow gauge road will be running regularly. Tele- graphic communication is still cut off from the camp. Many farms along the Gila river are greatly damaged. The town of Globe also sus- tained serious damages from the flood, likewise Phoenix and Yuma. At the latter place the Gila river was three miles in width, being many feet higher than was ever before known.

from the camp. Many farms along the Gila river are greatly damaged. The town of Globe also sus- tained serious damages from the flood, likewise Phoenix and Yuma. At the latter place the Gila river was three miles in width, being many feet higher than was ever before known. An accident occurred at El Baranca mine, in Mexico, recently which will occasion a great deal of delay and expense to the management. A large rock broke loose on the side of the mountain, which descended with fearful mo- mentum, carrying away the roasting plant, knocking down several buildings and destroying a good deal of piping. One woman was instantly killed, and a leg and arm cut off a Mexican miner, who afterwards died. Jacob Abraham, of Clifton, will soon move his family to this city in order to give his chil- dren the benefit of our public schools. Dan McMillen is around again after a touch of the epidemic. Constable Richwein, of Central, shot Tran- sito Parra in the head Sunday morning last, killing him instantly. It is said that Parra was drunk and creating a disturbance. The coroner’s jury exonerated the constable. WE ARE DISGUSTED

around again after a touch of the epidemic. Constable Richwein, of Central, shot Tran- sito Parra in the head Sunday morning last, killing him instantly. It is said that Parra was drunk and creating a disturbance. The coroner’s jury exonerated the constable. WE ARE DISGUSTED The residents of Main street are disgusted with the economy of the present officials. The condition of Main street is a disgrace to any camp with a population of 100. It is the com- mon remark of strangers that the business of the town must be at very low ebb to allow one of the principal streets to remain in such a condition for the past two years. If the city dads don’t get a move on themselves, the Enterprise will put up a new set for reelection next month and will see that they get there with both feet. THEY STRUCK IT RICH J. P. Christy and Chas. Campbell, whom Ed Bolton, of Pinos Altos, advertised for some months, have been heard from at last. They have been in Mexico for the past eighteen months, and have struck it rich. They recently made a sale of a one-third interest in their property for $37,000. Mr. Bolton had them “grub staked,” and so far has not received share of the profits on the deal. From Ihe March 13, 1891, Issue of The Enlerprise BRONCO'S BREAK William Walters Again in the Toils of the Law

ade a sale of a one-third interest in their property for $37,000. Mr. Bolton had them “grub staked,” and so far has not received share of the profits on the deal. From Ihe March 13, 1891, Issue of The Enlerprise BRONCO'S BREAK William Walters Again in the Toils of the LawAbout three weeks ago, William Walters alias “Bronco Bill” was sojourning in the county bastile and enjoying the hospitality of Sheriff Lockhart. He had an invitation to remain until the next session of the grand jury. Bill was not inclined to sponge on the sheriff and one fine day last month one of his friends who is not being cared for by the sheriff found means to get a handsome 38 caliber revolver through the bars and into Bronco’s possession. William had been on his good behavior and was allowed considerable freedom in the jail corridors and the night after having received the pistol Bronco and a fellow prisoner were out in the corridor later than usual. Suddenly the guard found himself looking into the muzzle of a revolver while Bill, who was at the other end, requested him to unlock the grated door. The guard com- plied with his wishes with considerable alacrity and Bronco, in accordance with a previously arranged plan, secured a horse while his fellow prisoner marched the guard two or three miles out of town and then graciously allowed him to find his way back.

door. The guard com- plied with his wishes with considerable alacrity and Bronco, in accordance with a previously arranged plan, secured a horse while his fellow prisoner marched the guard two or three miles out of town and then graciously allowed him to find his way back. Bill was galloping towards Mexico and congratulating himself on the moral courage he had displayed in denying himself the pleasure of a prolonged visit at the county boarding house but at the same time he was possessed of a desire to reach the land of the Montezumas at as early an hour as possible. The next night about ten o’clock he purloined a fresh horse from Henry Holgate at Deming and continued his journey. ( 9 ) Palomas, which is a safe distance across the line, he returned the borrowed horse and sent a note to Holgate thanking him for the same.Meanwhile the sheriff was using every effort to recapture the prisoner. He was traced to Palomas but the sheriff realized that it would not do to send a regular deputy across the line for as soon as Bronco ascertained that the sher- iff was anxious to have him return and remain a few weeks longer as his guest he would be very careful about getting outside the limits of the Mexican republic. Sheriff Lockhart em- ployed Cipiano Baca, who is well known about Palomas, to go down and get the prodigal.

er- iff was anxious to have him return and remain a few weeks longer as his guest he would be very careful about getting outside the limits of the Mexican republic. Sheriff Lockhart em- ployed Cipiano Baca, who is well known about Palomas, to go down and get the prodigal. Baca left here about the middle of last week and went to Palomas. He found Bronco there with the revolver he had held in the guard’s face and another of larger caliber. He was suspicious of everybody. He wanted to know why Baca was down there and Baca told him he was collecting bills. Bronco didn’t see the point until he was a prisoner and realized that about the toughest Bill in that section had just been collected. Baca knew the fugitive’s weakness and pro- posed to give a dance and stand the whole ex- pense if Bronco would get the music. William fell in with the idea and as the matter was discussed over a long bottle of Mexican spirits visions of Mexican senoritas gaily tripping to the inspiring music of the violin floated before Bronco’s uncertain vision and he became an- xious. Kind friends suggested that a violin could be obtained about five miles away just across the line. He had no difficulty in borrow- ing a horse and Baca volunteered to go along for company. They took a bottle along to keep up their spirits.

n vision and he became an- xious. Kind friends suggested that a violin could be obtained about five miles away just across the line. He had no difficulty in borrow- ing a horse and Baca volunteered to go along for company. They took a bottle along to keep up their spirits. After having arrived at their destination while Bronco William was quite hilarious he was suddenly informed that his former associates were pining for his company. He was relieved of his revolvers and a pair of bracelets were slipped on his v/rists. The visions of the dance faded away and the prodigal sud- denly came to a realizatin of the fact that he was in the land of Uncle Sam and his disgust was intense. He reached here the next after- noon and although the sheriff was advised of his coming he neglected to kill the fatted calf. Bronco had an idea that he was pretty smooth when he escaped but he has been ironed ever since his return. The sheriff is out a pretty penny for his capture but was bound to have him at any cost. HORSE CAR ASTRAY

sed of his coming he neglected to kill the fatted calf. Bronco had an idea that he was pretty smooth when he escaped but he has been ironed ever since his return. The sheriff is out a pretty penny for his capture but was bound to have him at any cost. HORSE CAR ASTRAY An Arm’s palace horse car, on which the brakes were out of repair, made its escape from the yard in this city Sunday last, and started on a journey of its own, with a down grade pull. The car had a move on when it passed through town gaining in speed every minute. An engine was dispatched in hot pursuit, and overhauled the runaway a few miles this side of Doming, not much the worse for its exciting race. The horses were all right. TREMONT HOUSE ARRIVALS V. G. Hills, Pueblo; W. W. LaMoure, E. J. Crocker, Denver; C. A. Stevens, Omaha; W. G. Whiteside, Helena, Mont. ; Geo. Newman, K. Epstein, E. J. McLean, El Paso ; Theo. Rouault, Las Cruces; W. Burns, Kingston; A. W. Cop- land, A. M. Slack, Detroit; F. W. Thompson, M. S. Levy, New York; A. M. Clark, Kansas City; W. H. Hernstein, J. G. Goodlanded, St. Louis; C. W. Beryer, Wellsville, Mo.; J. H. Mudge, San Marcial; A. W. Lewis Cincinnati; T. W. Dudley, Howell, Mich.; Col. A. E. Head, S. P. Carpenter, Doming; J. H. Hauson, San Francisco; Joe Cohn, St. Joe.