Cochise County,
Arizona
Newspaper Articles
June 22, 1881
A dispatch from
Tombstone, Arizona says: Particulars have been received
of the killing, last week, by cowboys, of the Hazlett brothers, and a
German, at Eureka, New Mexico, who killed Leonard and Harry Head, the
Contention stage robbers. Last week the brothers were
surprised by a party of twenty cowboys, while playing cards in a
saloon, in Eureka, and they had no chance to defend themselves. Bull
Hazlett was shot six times through the bowels, Ike twice through
the stomach, and the German six times through the body. The firing soon
ceased and the murderers mounted their bones and rode away.There is no
clue as to their Identity.
MURDERS
IN
ARIZONA 06/24/1881
A dispatch from
Tombstone
Arizona
says: Particulars have been received of the killing last week, by
cowboys of the Hazlett brothers, and a German. At Eureka New Mexico,
who killed Leonard and Harry Head, the Contention stage robbers. Last
week the brothers were surprised by a party of twenty cow boys, while
playing cards in a saloon in Eureka and they had no chance to defend
themselves. Bull Hazlett was shot six times through the bowels, Ike
twice through the stomach, and the German six times through the body.
The firing soon ceased and the murderers mounted their horses and rode
away. There is no clue as to their identity.
The Funeral
Oct.
10, 1881
The funeral for
the McLowry
brothers
and Clanton yesterday was numerically one of the largest ever witnessed
in Tombstone. It took place at 8.30 from the undertaking rooms at
Messrs. Ritter and Ream. The
procession, headed by the Tombstone
Brass band, moved down Allen Street, and thence to the cemetery. The
sidewalks were densely packed for three or four blocks. The body of
Clanton was in the first hearse, and those of the two brothers in the
second side by side, and were interned in the same grave. It was a most
impressive and saddening sight, and such a one as it is to be hoped may
never occur again in this community.
Nov. 05 1881
A Tombstone
dispatch of the
27th ult.
says: Four cowboys, Ike and Billy Clanton and Frank and Tom McLowery,
had been parading the town for several days, drinking heavily and
making themselves obnoxious. The city marshall arrested Ike Clanton.
Soon after his release the four met the marshall, his brothers Morgan
and Wyatt Earp, and J.H. Holliday.
The marshall
ordered them to
give up
their weapons, when a fight commenced. About thirty shots were fired
rapidly. Both the McLowery boys were killed. Bill Clanton was mortally
wounded, dying soon after Ike
was slightly wounded and
arrested. Morgan Earp was severely wounded in the shoulder, and Wyatt
slightly. The others were unhurt.
Dec. 27 1881
Murders by Indians
The Tombstone Epitaph has just received news from Campas Sonora, of the
murder of two Mexicans by a roving band of Indians. After committing
the murder the Indians started for the mountains, and at last
accounts had not been captured. Later news is to the effect that the
same band had murdered seven more men between Tapache and San Laripa.
It is thought the latter were employees of the Chicago Mining Company.
January 7,
1882
Border Life Murders by
Indians
in Arizona - Cowboy Raids
A dispatch from
Tombstone, Arizona, Says: Advice's from Campas Sonora
state that the renegade Apaches attacked Gavillan Mine, sixty miles
from here, on December 33, killing an American, supposed to be Newton
Noble, a farmer; the sheriff of San Bernardino county,
Cal.; Charles Woeberling, a German; the superintendent of the mine, and
two Mexicans. They also carried a little girl Into captivity. There are
many Americans prospecting In that part of the county, and
more murders are feared, Cowboys are raiding the cattle ranches in the
vicinity of Tombstone.
March 29, 1884
The Gallows Eight men legally put to death, Five
Murderers Suspended
from One Beam at Tombstone Arizona A Riot as a side show.
O.W. Sample, Dan Dowd, James Delany, James Howard and Dan Kelly were
hanged here at quarter past one this afternoon, for the Bisbee Murders.
The five bandits marched up the steps of the scaffold without
flinching, and all declared their innocence. Heith, who was lynched
here on February 22, was, they stated also innocent. They bade their
friends goodbye. They expressed faith in the Christian religion, and
requested that their bodies be delivered to Father Gallagher. Nothing
occurred to mar the sheriff's plans. The murderers were all dropped off
together, and, with the exception of Dowd, died without a struggle.
A SIDE SHOW
Over one thousand persons witnessed the execution. A
large balcony had
been erected outside of and overlooking the jail yard, the builder
intending to charge a dollar and a half admission. The mob became
indignant and tore the balcony down. In the row which followed seven
persons were injured. One man had his leg broken and another his arm.
The balcony would have seated five hundred persons. With this
exception, everything passed off quietly.
THE RAID ON BISBEE
The residents of Tombstone were startled on the
morning of the 9th of
last December by the news that reached the city regarding the desperate
work of a number of bandits, who had on the previous day entered
Bisbee, a neighboring mining settlement, and robbed a number of
citizens. The messengers who brought the news stated that on the
afternoon of December 8 six men rode into the settlement. They
dismounted in a quiet part of the place, and , leaving the horses in
charge of one of their number, five visited the business portion of the
settlement and commenced a series of robberies. Three of them entered
the store of A.A, Castenado while two stood guard without. As they
entered the door one of them immediately covered the book-keeper of the
establishment with a revolver and commanded him to open the safe, which
he did. They took from the safe about $800.00 and then robbed the
attaches taking a gold watch and other valuables. Whole these scenes
were being acted within, the watchmen on the outside when any one
approached, cried out "Keep back, or we will kill you." and pointed a
revolver at the head of the person so addressed. When they left the
plundered store, they returned to their horses, stopping and robbing
several citizens on the way.
A number of people were soon in pursuit of the
desperadoes, who, as
they rode from the place, fatally shot Mrs. Roberts, D.T. Smith, J.A.
Tappenier, and John A. Nolly. The highwaymen made their escape,
carrying with them about $1200.00. A reward of $2000.00 was offered for
the arrest and conviction of the persons implicated in the crimes. As
the desperadoes, with one exception, all wore masks, it was at first
difficult to trace them. Clues soon developed that led to the arrest of
six men. These were Daniel Dowd, James "alias "Tex" Delaney, Oscar W.
Sample alias "Red" Daniel Kelly, James Howard and John Heith. The
first five named men were tried at Tombstone and convicted of murder in
the first degree. The trial of Heith was separate, and he was found
guilty of murder in the second degree, and sentenced to life
imprisonment.
As Heith was believed to be the instigator of the
crime, this so
enraged the citizens of Tombstone that they determined to lynch
him. On the morning of Washington's birthday about one hundred
men, mostly miners armed themselves and a committee of seven appointed
to enter the jail and secure the murderer.
They knocked at the door, and as it was about the time that the Chinese
servant brought in the breakfast for the prisoners, the jailer,
thinking it was he, threw open the door, and the lynches marched in,
and, under the muzzle of a revolver, they compelled the turnkey
to open Heith's cell. This was done, and after putting the rope around
Heith's neck, they started to leave jail with him. As they descended
the stairs of the jail it was suggested that they hang him from the
balustrade, but as Sheriff Ward and several others came on the scene,
it was prevented. The sheriff was knocked down by some of the mob, who
then dragged Heith through the streets for several blocks, until a
telegraph pole was reached. He was then informed that his time had
come. He made one request of the mob before he was lynched saying
"Don't riddle my body with bullets, boys" A pocket handkerchief was put
over his eyes and the rope thrown over one of the cross pieces of the
telegraph pole. The mob, seizing the rope, drew him up, and he was left
hanging for half an hour, when he was cut down.
June 3 1890
Arizona Calls For Help
"The
President directs that measures
be taken to protect settlers"
Delegate M. A,
Smith of Arizona called on though President this morning
and handed to him a long telegram, which he had ]ust received from
certain citizens of Tombstone, Arizona, relative to the recent murders
committed there by hostile Indians that have escaped from the San
Carlos reservation. The telegram contained the verdict of the coroner's
jury which recently sat upon the body of the latest victim of these
atrocities, which concluded with a prayer for aid to protect them from
the murderers. The entire jury signed the telegram. Delegate Smith told
the President that the people of Arizona, felt that the Army had been
inactive long enough and that the time had come for prompt measures by
the Government for the protection of life and property if the citizens.
The President assured him that he would take immediate steps to remedy
the evil so far as fay in the power of the forces of the government.
The matter was probably laid before the cabinet, which met a in weekly
session at noon, as telegram was soon afterward sent out to the
office for transmission to the War Department
November 16
1900
TWO BROTHERS HANGED FOR MURDER IN ARIZONA
Phoenix, Ariz.,
Nov. 16. William and Thomas Halderman were hanged this
afternoon in Tombstone jail for the murder of Ted Moore. Both died
without the slightest exhibition of fear. Thomas, the younger brother,
was the cooler of the two. He lifted the noose and placed it around his
neck. "What do you shake that paper that way for, you look scared." he
said to the sheriff. Just before the trap was sprung he said: "Boys, I
forgive all my enemies and hope they forgive me. "William, the elder of
the two, did no show so much bravery. As his brother repeated the
farewell words, he muttered as the noose was placed about his neck:
"This rope is choking me. My brother is Innocent." Thomas was
pronounced dead in 13 minutes and William in 15 minutes. On April 15,
1899, the Haldeman brothers shot and killed Constable Frank Ainsworth
and Ted Moore, when the latter came to arrest them for shooting cattle.
Acting Governor Akers refused a respite and the friends of the
Haldemans laid the case before President McKinley. securing a reprieve
until October 5. Governor Murphy then gave an extension until November
16.
September
9, 1900
RECKONING TIME CAME.
Virgil Earp, the Noted Rustler, Dies With Boots On.
Wllcox, A. T., July 9. - Warren Earp, tie youngest
of the four Earp brothers whose names twenty years ago were synonymous
with gun fighting on the Arizona frontier, "died with his boots on"
here.
He was shot through, the heart in a saloon by Cowboy
Johnny Boyett, and died almost Instantly.
The shooting occurred early in the morning and grew
out of a feud that had existed between the two men ever since the
bloody fights between the Earp's and Arizona cattle rustler about
Tombstone In the early eighties.
Earp had habitually bullied Boyett for months past, and the latter
always tried to avoid a quarrel.
A few days ago Earp cornered Boyett in a saloon,
and, pressing a revolver against Boyett's stomach, made him promise
that if they ever quarreled again the one should kill the other.
The two men met in a restaurant and Earp began his
abuse.
Boyett went Into an adjoining saloon, followed by
Earp. The latter said: "Boyett, go get your gun and we'll settle the
matter right here. I've got my gun;go get yours."
Boyett was willing and agreed to return in a few
moments and fight it out. Earp also left the saloon.
Boyett returned very soon and finding Earp gone
warned all loungers in the saloon to clear out, emphasizing his warning
by shooting into the ceiling.
Earp shortly appeared through a back door. He
started toward Boyett, throwing open his coat and saying: "Boyett, I am
unarmed; you have the best of this," advancing as spoke.
Boyett warned him not to come nearer, but Earp did
not heed the words, and when within eight feet Boyett fired, shooting
Earp through the heart and killing him instantly.
Warren Earp was the youngest brother of the Earp
family. He was well known by Uncle-Sheriff Paul of Tucson, who was
Sheriff of Pima county in the
eighties when trouble occurred between the Earps and the Clanton
gang.
Earp came to this country about the time of the
beginning of the feud from Colton, Cal. He was one of the original
brothers and took an active part in their fights after he arrived.
Morgan Earp was killed In 1883 In Bob Hatch's saloon in Tombstone,
being shot from the back as he was playing billiards. Virgil Earp later
was shot in the arm and seriously wounded and the killing of
Frank Stilwell occurred In Tucson not long after, when he attempted to
shoot Virgil through
a car window. Stilwell was shot by Wyatt Earp.
Warren came here when his brothers got into trouble
at Tombstone with the Clanton gang and he has remained here since. He
was driving stage from Willcox to Fort Grant and had done freighting.
Tombstone Epitaph Sept. 09, 1900
Desperate Efforts Made to Save Youthful Sheriff Slayers' Lives
Phoenix, Ariz, July 23, 1900
S. H. Hopkins, a prominent attorney of Texas has made a plea before
Acting Governor Akers here for the life of William and Thomas
Halderman, two boys sentenced to be hanged in Tombstone, Aug. 10th, for
the murder of Deputy Sheriff Charles Ainsworth, brother of Attorney
General of Arizona, and Ted Moore, who started out in the Chirlcaihua
mountains, to arrest the Halderman brothers for cattle stealing.
The case has resolved itself into a plea by the
State of Texas to the Territory of Arizona,praying that executive
clemency might prevent a stain on the name of one of the best
pioneer families of Texas Hopkins and other prominent attorneys
connected with the trial argued that two innocent boys had been hurried
through a trial when the misinformed public was inflamed and that
intense prejudice entered the jury box. Two young girls who were the
most important witnesses against the Haldermanas make affidavit that
they have been intimidated by their father, who said they would be put
in jail if they testified to what they saw as eye witnesses to the
killing.And now, when innocent lives are about to be sacrificed, they
swear that the killing occurred in self protection.
Acting Governor Akers is making a thorough
investigation of the case and will arrive at a decision in two or three
days.
August 09,
1905
Marshal Snodgrass
is preparing for war on those evading the wine room ordinance in this
city. Watchman Wilmoth says he is going to do things about the lodging,
house violations of law in the city. Between the two there may be
considerable doing in the city this week. Both in advance of action,
are strengthening themselves with legal advice.
Bisbee Review Tucson Daily Citizen August 09, 1905
August 09,
1905
Since the first of
the present year in Cochise County 182 marriages licenses have been
granted; the same number of births reported; ninety deaths recorded;
fifty-four divorces granted; sixteen insanity cases, ten of which were
committed to Phoenix
Tucson Daily Citizen August 09, 1905
Tombstone
August 08, 1972
Tombstone Myths Are Separated
(Myth and Reality Odie B. Faulk Oxford University Press) by Wayne Gard
Ninety years ago Arizona's Tombstone was one of the liveliest and most
colorful of Western frontier mining communities. Its silver lodes were
producing wealth at a high rate, and its theaters attracted the most
popular road companies. Yet today Tombstone is little more than a ghost
town. It survives mainly on tourism, recalling and exaggerating the era
of saloons, gambling halls, bawd houses, gun smoke and vigilante
hangings. Tombstone's romantic years have given rise to a whole shell
of books, whose writers Include William M. Breakenridge, Walter
Noble Burns, Stuart N. Lake, Douglas D. Martin, John M. Myers, C. L.
Sonnichsen, Lorenzo Walters and Frank Waters. Dozens of novels and
movies have exploited Its more lurid aspects. But now a more realistic,
although no less interesting, view of the town comes from Odie B.
Faulk, a professor of history at Oklahoma State University.
FAULK TRACES the patient prospecting and perennial hope of Ed
Schieffelin, who discovered the silver deposits that made Tombstone one
of the richest mining camps. He shows the quick growth of the town,
which was a magnet for miners, adventurers, saloon keepers, gamblers
and soiled doves. Yet he keeps the picture In balance, pointing
out that many of the miners formed fire-fighting companies and worked
to build schools, churches and a library.
Tombstone had Its stage-coach holdups and various kinds of vice and
violence, but no more than did other frontier towns; Its only
informal hanging was planned In another community. Much of Its
later fame resulted, of course, from the gun battle at the OK Corral in
1881, in which three cowboys were wounded. Involved on the other side
were the three Earp brothers and their friend. Doc Holliday, a former
Dallas dentist.
FAULK DESCRIBES in detail the clash at the OK Corral
but does not give the Earps the halos they have been awarded in film
and fiction. He designates Wyatt as a "saloonkeeper, cardsharp,
policeman, bigamist, church deacon and confidence man" and notes that
later he "fled Arizona under Indictment for murder." This unflattering
view of Wyatt Earp has been taken by other recent historians, yet
the popular myths seem likely to persist.
The flooding of the mines and the falling price of silver, Faulk shows,
led to the downfall of Tombstone, whose newspaper, the Epitaph, was
fittingly named. The Faulk book is well Illustrated and is equipped
with notes, bibliography and index. Yet its scholarship does not stand
in the way of Its being highly readable. It Is the one book that
gives a rounded picture of Tombstone as it was, and It will be
welcomed by serious historians.
Date: 1891-08-04; Paper: Tombstone Epitaph Prospector
In Benson July 29 to the wife of Frank Lorenger, a daughter was born.
COCHISE COUNTY, ARIZONA NEWS The Weekly Phoenix Hearld April 16
1896
Tombstone Prospector:
Lem Overlock had a
narrow escape from death this morning en route to
Tombstone from the Overlook ranch. He was driving a gentle team
of
horses hitched to a covered wagon. The wind was blowing a gale and
several times an overturn of the big wagon seemed imminent. When
near
Turquois a heavy gust, evidently a whirl wind, struck the wagon
broadsides and completely overturned the vehicle, throwing the driver
directly in front of the wagon where, should the horses have started or
became frightened, would have meant certain death. Luckily the horses
remained still long enough to allow Lem to extract himself, which
he
did with rapidity that would allow no grass to grow under or about him
while so doing. Lem arrived in town all right with his horses but left
the wagon behind.