Genealogy Trails

PIMA COUNTY ARIZONA
NEWS


12-29-1894
Shot By Indians
Bold Attempt of Redskins to Murder an Arizona Sheepherder
Tucson. Dec. 28- A Mexican sheepherder was brought into Bisbee today suffering from a gunshot wound through the thigh. He says he was attached by five mounted Indians while alone looking after his sheep, and the redskins opened fire on him. He managed to join several herders half a mile from the scene who took him to Bisbee.
In the opinion of the old timers this bold attempt at murder is but a starter for serious Indian troubles. Part of Geronimo's band of Apaches has been returned to the San Carlos reservation and are beginning to act in a way that is causing settlers great alarm.

1873-08-16
Double Murder in Tucson
Robbery of the House and Store of the Victims
The Thieves and Murderers arrested and hung by Citizens.
    From our correspondent at Tucson, and the Citizen of the 9th Inst. get the particulars of the brutal murder of Vincente Hernandez and wife, August 7th. The entire history of the affair would be interesting to our readers but want of space confines us to a brief statement of the principal points. Vincente Hernandez, better known as Piedras Negras, was a pawnbroker and merchant, who came from New Mexico to Arizona, and had been living on Convent Street, Tucson, where he was doing a prosperous business. Sometime in the night of Wednesday, he 7th inst., the house was entered and Hernandez and wife were murdered in their bed. Investigation showed that they had been killed by the use of clubs and and knives probably first stunned with clubs and then their throats cut. After the murder the house and store were plundered of money, jewelry, firearms and merchandise. The fact that Mrs. H, was some months advanced in pregnancy added to the horror felt by the citizens when the murders were discovered.
    The Thursday rewards were offered amounting to $900, raised by subscription among the citizens, for the  apprehension of the murderers, and at 9 o'clock that night six men had been arrested and lodged in jail on suspicion. Two of the party confessed and made statements of all the particulars of the horrible crimes committed, showing the three Mexicans named Leocado Cordova, Clemente Lopez and Jesus  Saguaripa were the perpetrators. The funeral  of their victims was held Friday morning, all the principal places of business being closed and the citizens attending the ceremonies in a body. After the funeral all proceeded to the court house plaza where a rude gallows had been erected from which four ropes were dangling with nooses at one end. The jail was opened, the three Mexicans and a convicted murderer named John Willis, were brought out and hanged in front of the court house, at 11.30 a.m., after which the crowd quietly dispersed. A coroner's inquest was held, the result of which we give as it appeared in the Citizen: In the matter of the inquisition upon the bodies of John Willis, Leonardo Cordova, Clements Lopez and Jesus Saguaripa deceased:
    We the undersigned, the jurors summoned to appear before Solomom Warner, the coroner of the county of Pima, at Tucson, on the 8th day of August, 1878, to inquire into the cause of the death of John Willis, Leonardo Cardova, Clemente Lopez, and Jesus Saguaripa, having been duly sworn according to law, and having made such inquisition, upon our oaths, each and all do any that we find that the said John Willis, Leonardo Cardova, Clements Lopez and Jesus Saguaripa came to their deaths on the 8th day of August, 1878, at about 11.30 a.m., in the Court House plaza, in the town of Tucson, by hanging; we further find that the said hanging was committed by the people of the own of Tucson, en masse; and we t had been committed  by the three do further say that in view of the terrible and bloody murders that had been committed by the Mexicans above named, and the tardiness with which justice was being meted out to John Willis, a murderer, that the extreme measures taken by our fellow citizens thing morning in vindication of their lives, their property, and the peace and good order of society, while it is to be regretted and deplored that such extreme measures were necessary, seems to the jury to have been the  inevitable results of allowing criminals to escape the penalties of their crimes.
    All of which we duly certify by this Inquisition in writing, by us signed, the 8th day of  August 1878. J.S. Mansfield foreman, wm Obbesorgen, Fred Bland, thos. Driscoll, R.N. Leatherwood, Barney Palm. Willis killed Robt. Swope in Sanford, Nov. 29, 1872, was tried and found guilty of murder in the first degree, May 28, 1873, and sentenced to be hanged some day not named by the Judge. His case was appealed to the Supreme Court which would meet in January 1874. As the March term of court resulted in turning loose upon the public a well known murderer named  Dorman, and John Burt, who killed on Marinda, in Tucson, last Christmas, it appears that the citizens of that place concluded that while they had their hands n they would finish the Willis case in Judge Lynch's court.
    In the accounts of the tragedy we have received, there is a noticeable absence of any information of the manner in which the prisoners were obtained from the jail, and the citizen says that Geo. Cooler's  money drawer was robbed Tuesday night, and the things happened during the balance of the week, a more particular account of which would not advance the public interest in any material manner.
    The Miner does not propose to make any extended comment on the action of the citizens of Tucson, in this administration of popular justice, mob, or lynch law. Our views have been freely expressed in days past, and at this time it is only necessary to remind the public that many murders have been committed in Arizona; that often the murderers have been arrested, brought to trial, and set free through the operation of the law ( not justice); or, when  convicted, have broken jail and escaped; that only one legal execution has taken place in  Arizona for murder; that serious talk of organizing "vigilantes" has been had in Prescott, and that the action of the citizens of Phoenix July 3rd, in the summary hanging of Marinao Tianado, a Mexican cattle thief and supposed murderer, in connection with the recent events in tucson, show that the public sentiment of /Arizonans is based on the desire for peace and quietude, law and order; if my mal-administration of law justice can not be had, security to life and property are not guaranteed and preserved; if criminals are to be confined for months at public expense, and preserved; if criminals are to be confined  for months at public expense, and then, through the quibbles, quirks and technicalities of law lawyers, and courts, are freed again to prey upon the defenseless community, the people are determined to protect themselves, and to permanently remove themselves, and obstructions to their progress, as a whole, in their christian virtues, as may present themselves most prominently. An outraged people is long suffering and slow to wrath, but aroused to action is quick, unforgiving, and often unjust in execution of its degrees against the offenders.
    Everywhere upon the frontier the scenes of executions for crimes that have shocked the sensibilities of the people have been reproduced, and the effect has been salutary.  While we do not counsel taking the administration of punishment late the hands of the masses of the people, we advise the bad men in our midst to take warning from recent events, and go slow for their own good.

MURDER AT TUCSON 5/2/1885
An Arizona Feud Settled with Bull Dog Pistols
Tucson May 1- A Harshaw special says: A serious fracas occurred last night between Joe Claiborne, a miner, and William Covington, known as :Chloride Bill", in which Claiborne was killed. Bad blood has existed between them for some time, which culminated last night as stated. Claiborne received a 45 caliber bullet just under the right eye, coming out at the back of the head. Covington escaped and his whereabouts is unknown. Both parties are well known her and considerable excitement prevails in consequence of the killing. Later advice's are to the effect that more trouble is expected.

TREACHEROUS INDIANA 1/25/1887
An Attempt to Murder Three Ranchers in Arizona
Tucson Jan 25 - A special from Huachua says: Two Indians came to Crow's Ranch Saturday night and asked for shelter, which was given them. James Riley and Edward Lamb were in the cabin. Riley and one of the Indians left the cabin to go to a corral. The Indian who remained in the cabin drew a revolver and fired at Crow and Lamb. A fight ensued in which one Indian was killed,  Crow was badly wounded. Search is being made for the missing Indian who escaped during the fight.

KILLED IN COLD BLOOD BY DASTARDLY SLAYER 7/29/1902
George B. Katzenstein's Son Foully Murdered by Desperado While Fighting Midnight Fire
William Katzenstein, who is well known in this city, was basely murdered Saturday night in Tucson Arizona by Reodoro Dlias, a Mexican.
The murdered man was the eldest son of George B. Katzenstein, of Sacramento, manager of the Earl Fruit Co., on of the best known men of the State, and specially well know in San Jose, where he is a frequent visitor in connection with the business of his firm.
The details of the murder of young Katzenstein, who was a native of Sacramento, aged 32 years, are told as follows in a Tucson Dispatch:
It has developed that the cold blooded murder of Officer William H. Katzenstein on Saturday night was part of a plot among a band of Mexicans to make away with witnesses against Jose Romera, a Mexican Criminal, and against the murderer of Steven Ochoa, the Southern Pacific contractor, who was shot by a Mexican Employee a short time ago. Teodoro Elias, the young assassin of Katzenstein, is a friend of Romero and a member of the gang. He had boasted several times on the evening of the murder, that he would "get" Katzenstein before 12 o'clock that night. The officers here have every reason to believe that there are others in the plot and one member of the force claims to have discovered a plot o assassinate other witnesses. R.D. Lapin, who was a book-keeper for Ochoa and the principal witness of his murder, is said to be marked for death. Fearing trouble, he has given up his position in the Ochoa supply depot  and has taken a position in a public store on the principal street where he feels more safe from attack.
The murder of Katzenstein, who was popular here, and the discovery of the plot of the Mexicans directed against some of the most prominate citizens have caused great excitement and for a time a lynching was feared. The Sheriff has taken every precaution to prevent trouble, and has placed both the murderer of Ochoa and the murderer of Katzenstein in an iron cell, in the basement of the jail, which is not a very strong one, and would hardly withstand a fierce attack.
There are no regular soldiers and no companies of the Arizona National Guard Stationed in Tucson, so that a lynching would be comparatively easy, as there would be only a few civil officers to protect the prisoners;
The excitement has quieted down somewhat, and unless some further outrage, is perpetrated there seems to be now little danger of lynching. A fire alarm had been turned in at 11:30 o'clock Saturday night, and of the fire, preventing the crowd carrying out goods. Leaving Foreman Harry Melluish in charge of the burning
store, he left to see why the fire companies did not arrive. He removed his weapons and delivered them at the hotel near by for safe keeping Katzenstein, who was assistant chief of the fire department, crossed the street, to the adobe corner and started to remove the cap from the fire plug, while bending over the plug Teodore Elias came up, having evidently observed that the officer had removed his arms, and fired the fatal shots with a 38 caliber revolver, shooting five times at the officer. One bullet took effect under the right eye, and circling entered the brain, another grazed the lobe of the left ear. The officer had apparently raised after the first shot
and, facing Elias, received a bullet under the eye. He fell and died in a few minutes in the arms of Dr. Haynes, who happened to be on the spot.
Elias after having fired the shots, succeeded in getting away from the crowd, but was followed by  a deputy sheriff and captured. As he was disarmed Elias remarked: "I have killed him and you can kill me now."
The Mexican evidently was under the influence of liquor. He was taken to the county jail and kept from view.
William H. Katzebstein was aged about 34 years and he had a wife and daughter. He was formerly a night watchman at Sacramento and also a member of the Elks and Knights of Pythias Lodges. He came to Tucson three years ago and for a time was connected with the Southern Pacific shops. He became a city policemen two years ago and was prominently identified with the Tucson Fire Department. At the last election be became assistant engineer of the origination. The body was shipped to Sacramento.

ROB AND KILL VICTIMS 3/13/1903
Harrowing Tale Of Murder Comes From Tucson Arizona
Work of Bandits
Six Passengers and driver are shot down and horses turned loose.
Purpose of Attacking Stage Was No Doubt the Robbery Of Valuables of a wealthy Mexican who was in the Stage, Fight is Put up and all were killed.
March 13- A Dispatch from Tucson Arizona to the Herald says: Mexican bandits held up the stage which runs between Potum and Torin on the Yaqui River in
Sonora last Tuesday night, killing all six passengers and the driver. Among them were Filberto Alvarado, a wealthy Mexican, who owns a number of ranches along the Yaqui River.
The stage carried very little money or valuables and little mail.
The bandits no doubt believed that Alvarado carried a large sum of money.
Just how the stage was attacked will never be known, as all the passengers and the driver were killed. They were picked up the same afternoon of the tragedy, and circumstances give evidence that they put up a fight or else they would not have been killed.
The bodies were rifled of everything of value, and the traces were cut and the horses allowed to run wild.
The cover and body of the stage was full of holes.
Alvarado had been married only two months. With him were Senorita Julia Beredo and Senorita De Gonzales, both of prominent families of the country and both were murdered.

MURDER AT TUCSON OCT., 28, 1890
Tucson, Arizona, Oct. 27- James Farell Killed by Root at Nojales, yesterday, sold his interest in the Imuris Mines last week to his English associates for $250,000.00 Root claimed a part of the proceeds, which was refused by Farrell, and this caused the shooting

Daily Messenger, Canandaigua
Another Truce Declared in Robles Kidnap Case
 Tucson, Ariz. (AP) – Another “truce” in the kidnapping of June Robles, six-year-old heiress, was observed by authorities today while her family sought to contact the abductors.
    A request that officers withdraw from the case for the second time since the girl was kidnapped April25 was granted to give the abductors a chance to send the Robles family a new set of instructions for delivery of the ransom money.
    Fernando Robles, father of the victim, announced he was able to raise only $10,000 of the demanded $16,000 ransom. Those who helped him raise the amount, he said, demanded that the girl be produced alive before the sum was delivered.
    Prior to the conference with officers at which the truce was arranged, Robles indicated it was useless to attempt to contact the kidnapers under conditions outlined in the original ransom note. A second note, which was understood to have contained proof that the child still was alive, did not change the original instructions.
(Contributed by Melissa Rodriguez)

Ajo, Pima County, Arizona
Ajo Copper News - Thursday, 23rd January, 1971
Franciscans Are Shifted On Reservations.
An Item of interest to many of the Indians of the area, and some other people as well is the changing of the Franciscan personnel on the Papago Indian Reservation.
    Father Edward (Gervase) Schulz remains at Topawa. Father Macion Bucher remains at Sells. Father Camillus Cavagnero is transferred to Mescalero, New Mexico, and will be replaced at Pisinemo by Father Lambert Fremdling. Father Lambert spent some twenty years at Cowlic, Covered Wells and Chue-chue.
    Father Lambert will be replaced at Bapchule (Gila River Reservation) by Father Cyril Bauer, who was formerly stationed in Ajo.Father Theodore stays on top of the hill at St. Catherine's in the Indian Village.
    It is an interesting fact that Father Marcion, Father Lambert, and Father Theodore were together on the Papago Reservation in 1945: Father Marcion was a Topawa, Father Lambert and Cowlic and Father Theodore at Pisinemo. Two other priest of the 1945 team are still in the Indian work: Father Justin Moncrief is at St. John's Indian School, at Komatke, Arizona, and Father Bartholemew Welsh is at San Carlos, Arizona. Father Ernest Wilson, who also served at Ajo and built the present church in the Indian Village, is stationed in Seattle, Washington. He was the other member of the 1945 team.
( Contributed by Larry Wells)


Tucson Daily Citizen Dec. 2 1882
The little daughter of Mr. and Mrs. McCann was buried from their residence this morning
A brother of Patrick Gallagher, of this city, was accidently killed in a mine near Globe a few days since.

Letters uncalled for at the Palace Hotel:
Dr. R.F burgess, Rt Rev, Andrew Payaken, P.C. Bosco, Jas. Melezer, M.F. Campbell, (2) Geo. P. Grass

Western Union telegrams uncalled for at the Palace Hotel;
J.R. Robinson, Henry Hanson, Martin Gome, S.B. Conklin, S.V. Thompson and J.S. Welch.

The Weekly Phoenix Herald April 16 1896 Nogales Oasis:
Yesterday evening Mr. J. A. Naugle, Manager of the Sonora railroad, returned from the  City of Mexico. He was accompanied by Senor Don  Fernando Leal, Minister of the Interior, and several other prominent officials of the Republic, en route to Santa Rosalia, to investigate certain charges against the Boleo Company.An order from Washington reducing force in the Arizona customs district has resulted this week in dismissal Line Riders, Eugene Sykes and Sam Finley. Later in the week Mr. Sykes was appointed to a clerkship in the Nogales customhouse, Vice F. J. Duffy.

Date: 1907-08-20; Paper: Tucson Daily Citizen
Miss Emma Corbett died late last night at her home, 140 Church Street, died being the result of illness long standing. Funeral services will be held tomorrow afternoon at the residence and tomorrow evening the remains will be shipped to Miss Corbett's former home in California for burial. she leaves in this city one sister and a brother, Joe Corbett, traveling engineer for the Southern Pacific Company.

Date: November 23, 1898 Paper: Arizona Weekly Journal Miner
It is reported that William Owens a Rough Rider, who enlisted from Arizona, has died recently at Moutauk Point.TUCSON, Ariz.—(UP) — Four Brothers— Roy, Richard, Romero and Dick—
have enlisted in the National Guard to show their appreciation to the United States and Arizona.

The father. Eugene Rios, came to this country from Mexico when he was five and became a naturalized citizen. Arizona and America have given me and my family so many advantages, he said, that I thought my boys ought to join up to show their appreciation.
Source:Lima News Lima, Oh Nov 5, 1940
Contributed by Linda Dietz

Date: 1869-07-17; Paper: Weekly Journal Miner
From Tubac.—The many friends of U. C. Barnett, formerly of Walnut Grove, in this county, but now of Tubac, Pima county, will be pleased to learn that he intends to return here, with his family, at an early day. In a recent letter to us, he speaks of  the recent murder, by Apaches, of his father-in law and brother-in-law, Mr. Pennington and son, accounts of which have been published in the Miner. He also informes us that Major Stickney and Mr. Richardson were living at Tubac and that  much sickness prevailed in this portion of Pima.


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