While the men were
still at the supper table Bothe entered the house, rifle in hand, and said to
Tibbets: "You have stolen, my wife." Tibbetts made a denying answer. His wife
came in from another room and spoke to him, hoping to conciliate him, when he. cursing her, said,
"I will kill you both right now." and shot her, the ball entering
near the small of the back, passing through her body, and
she fell where she stood. He then turned the rifle on Tibbetts, who sprang into
the pantry. Bothe broke through the door, and pushing in the rifle shot
him, the ball entering near the middle of the back and passing through the body.
The murderer then coolly demanded of Tibbetts a horse and saddle, and taking
them rode to the ranch of Ben Larky, a.short distance away, and informed Mr.
Lacky that "old man Rose had been kicked by a horse and some help was needed.at
the Tibbetts ranch." Mr. Lacky arriving, another messenger was secured from
another ranch and sent in all haste to Moab for a physician Mrs. Bothe died in
about two hours and Mr. Tibbetts lingered until about 2 o'clock in the
morning.
Charles Bothe. the murderer, is about 28 years of
age and his wife Is about 17 years of age. The couple came some time ago from
Leadville, Colo., where the mother of Mrs. Bothe is said to reside. Mr. Tibbetts
had several times had the couple come to his ranch to look after it while he
would be away and had taken great pity on the woman.
For some time she had been stopping at the ranch.
Bothe being away, and arrangements had been about perfected to send her to her
people at Leadville.
William Tibbetts was regarded by all who knew him as
a whole-souled broad-minded good citizen and neighbor. He had been in this
country for about eight years coming here from Illinois. For a number of years
he was the foreman of the Lasal ranch of J. M. Cunningham & Co., but having
secured a fine ranch and invested his savings in cattle, had been for the past
year looking after his own property.
On word first reaching here word was wired to
western Colorado points to capture the murderer and reply has just reached here
that he has been captured at Placerville. Colo., and will be taken to Montrose
jail to await the arrival of Utah.officers. The murder having taken place in San
Juan bounty the prisoner will be taken to Montlcello for trial.
Date:
1902-03-24; Paper: Salt Lake Telegram - Submitted by Barb
Ziegenmeyer
FINDING OF BODY POINTS TO MURDER
MOAB, Dec. 2.- A
portion of jawbone. believed by officers to be from the head of Lemuel Hecox,
whose decapitated body was found in a cabin at the Cashian mine, fifty miles
east of here Sunday night, was discovered yesterday by Investigating officers,
according to word received here from Bedrock, Colo. The Cashian mine is in
Colorado, near the Utah line and but a short distance from Bedrock. Hecox's body
was found hidden under grain sacks in a back room of his cabin. A crowbar
spattered with blood and brains lay nearby. No arrests have been made in
connection with the murder.
Date: 1921-12-02; Paper: Salt Lake
Telegram- Submitted by Barb Ziegenmeyer
MOAB; The September
term of the District court was opened In Moab Tuesday by Judge Johnson. John
Merrlam, a resident of Rear Creek, Colo., pleaded guilty to the charges of
housebreaking and grand larceny and was sentenced to a term of two and one-half
years in the State prison.
Date:
1902-11-14; Paper: Salt Lake Telegram- Submitted by Barb Ziegenmeyer
