Frank Murray, Grant County horse thief and fugitive
In 1889 Sadie Ray hit Frank Murray on the head with a beer faucet; he had been drinking and fled to the hills and was not heard from again, though a reward was offered [1]. By February 1890 Murray and George West were captured on the Gila River by deputy sheriffs at Mart Childer’s place, with twenty-four horses in the Bell pasture [3]. One of them stated the horses had been purchased from Mexico [3]. Murray was well known in western Grant County, having worked for Drew Windham among others during the past two years [3]. He and West were wanted in Arizona [4]. That same year they were tried for stealing three horses from Davies and Lesinskey’s ranch in Doña Ana County; the jury returned a verdict of guilty [2].
Sources
- Sadie Ray, who on the 10th, hit Frank… (1889)Sadie Ray, who on the 10th, hit Frank Murray on the head with a beer faucet, was sent to the county jail for two months. Frank had been drinking and after being hurt fled to the hills, and has not since b…
- Fifth Day Friday (1890)Fifth Day Friday The trial of Frank Murray and Geo. West, indicted for stealing three horses from Davies and Lesinskey’s ranch at San Augustine, Dona Ana county, was concluded at noon today. The jury were out …
- Wednesday evening Frank Murray and (1890)Wednesday evening Frank Murray and George West were brought in from the Gila where they had been captured by Deputy Sher- iffs Moore, Windham, Nixson and Richardson. They were captured at Mart Childer’s place o…
- Since the capture it turns out that West… (1890)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