100 years ago in Tucson series: August 1916
- Updated
What was life like in Tucson 100 years ago?
- Johanna Eubank
- Updated
The father of the young man who committed suicide — or so it was ruled — in a sanitarium arrived in Tucson and expressed his belief that his son's death was an accident instead of intentional.
From the Arizona Daily Star, Aug. 1, 1916:
Coroner’s Verdict Is Disputed By Father
Doubts That Son Committed Suicide; Thinks “Baron” Mistake
That his son, Benjamin W. Eckels, did not commit suicide but was accidentally shot, is the belief of J. F. Eckels, wealthy Iowa farmer, who arrived Sunday to accompany the remains of the young man to Nevada, Iowa, where the funeral will be held.
Mr. Eckels states that the young man was very much interested in writing motion picture scenarios and he believes that while acting some part with a six shooter in the bathroom the gun was accidentally discharged, resulting in the young man’s death.
Mr. Eckels also does not believe that his son contemplated traveling to the South Sea islands as a “baron,” as was stated in the local papers. He believes that the address on the envelope from a traveling company to “Baron Banes Wadsworth Eckels” was a mistake on the part of the person addressing the letter.
Mr. Eckels states that the son was quite eccentric but he does not believe that he ever contemplated suicide and he wishes to state this view of the matter to the public.
Officers appeared to have no doubt but what young Eckels took his own life. The fact that he fired two shots one after another into his heart was taken by them as conclusive proof that he had taken his own life.
One might assume a parent would not want to believe his child would prefer not to live, so the accident theory is quite understandable.
In other news, after one boy who had run away from the orphans' home was found, another went missing. He was likely also a runaway, but this time from parents and not an orphanage.
Missing Youth Found; Another Disappears
After remaining in hiding since July 29, Frank Garcia, a youth 10 years of age, who disappeared from the Arizona Orphans’ home, on St. Mary’s road, was found yesterday sitting astride a big watermelon that capped a load of melons being brought into the city by a huckster. He was returned to the home. Where he had spent the interim officers were unable to ascertain.
Sheriff’s officers spent yesterday in a vain search for Milton Greenblatt, young son of Mrs. E. Greenblatt, of North Seventh avenue, who left home early yesterday morning. It was learned that he boarded an eastbound freight train at 8 o’clock yesterday morning and telegrams were sent to nearby points on the Southern Pacific railroad, but up to late last evening no word had been received as to the lad’s whereabouts.
- Johanna Eubank
- Updated
Editor’s note: The final story today is a bit gruesome and graphic — perhaps more than a bit. We don’t recommend reading it while eating or immediately after.
A string of home burglaries was keeping law enforcement frustrated, mostly because there was no detective on the force to investigate.
From The Arizona Daily Star, Wednesday, August 2, 1916:
More Homes Entered By Unknown Burglar
Lack of Detecting Facilities Makes Crime Perfectly Safe
The home of Harry Cooper, 120 Washington street, was entered by an unknown burglar who effected an entrance by means of the bathroom window. A gold watch, a $5 gold piece, the Espee traffic office keys of Mr. Cooper’s, and a pair of new blue trousers and 400 cigars were the loot taken.
The burglar made his visit about 12:30 o’clock. More plunder might have been taken but Mr. and Mrs. Cooper were roused and the burglar was frightened away.
The home of Sara Hughes directly opposite was also entered and five suits of clothes belonging to Bob Squires were taken. A new suit case and from $4 to $6 in silver was also taken.
It is believed by officers that the robberies have all been committed by one or two men. The fact that there is no detective at present on the force makes it very hard to do anything on the case. Sheriff Forbes’ deputies are watching the city for suspicious characters.
What, exactly, does a "suspicious character" look like?
It was reported the same day that a miner was missing in the desert. It had been long enough that it was doubtful he was alive, but of course, people looked for him nonetheless.
FEAR MINING MAN PERISHED ON THE DESERT
John Schner Disappeared Over Ten Days Ago and Searching Parties Fail to Find Trace of Him; Search Continues
More than ten days ago, a mining man whose name was said to be John Schner, disappeared while on a protecting trip beyond Sasco, near the Pima-Pinal line, and Sheriff Forbes yesterday expressed the belief that, since all efforts to locate the man had failed, Schner wandered into the desert and perished.
The sheriff yesterday tried to verify the correctness of the name, Schner, given by a Mexican who accompanied the mining man on the prospecting trip. He is said to be fairly well known among mining men, particularly in Mexico, where he spent most of his time.
Sheriff Forbes also communicated with Sheriff Hall of Pinal county, asking that a search be made in that county, it being thought possible that the man had wandered into that county. The sheriff admitted that, so much time having elapsed without the man making his whereabouts known, he feared Schner had died on the desert.
Schooner, which was the way his Mexican companion spelled the American’s name, left from the ranch of E. Aguirre, below Sasco, over town days ago for the purpose of inspecting a mining claim near the Pima-Pinal line. According to the story the Mexican told upon returning to Aguirre’s ranch, he left Schner in search of a water hole and when he returned to the spot where they had parted, the American had disappeared, taking with him a hand grip and other personal belongings.
Schner and the Mexican, whose name is Alejandro Palma, when they left Aguirre’s ranch, went toward a place where they thought they would find water but apparently took the wrong direction and missed it, so Schner directed Palma to take the team which they were driving, to another place, where Schner thought water would be found. Palma did as he was directed and located water, but when he returned to the place where he had left Schner the latter had disappeared.
Palma returned to Aguirre’s ranch after failing to find Schner and from that place several searching parties were sent out and the entire vicinity scoured, but without finding trace of the missing man.
When all efforts failed, Aguirre reported the man’s disappearance to Sheriff Forbes, who has now taken up the search.
The name of the missing man was corrected in the follow-up story the next day. Read tomorrow for more.
Now for the more difficult story of the day:
NO OWNER FOUND FOR HUMAN HAND TAKEN FROM CAR
Arrival of Body of Construction Foreman from Lordsburg, Will Clear Up Mystery; Hand Resembles a Woman’s
When Inspector Cull, at Benson, early yesterday morning, flashed his light on the forward trucks of the baggage car of Southern Pacific train No. 101, westbound, a human had was thrust from under the car. Up to midnight last night the combined efforts of Coroner Comstock and Southern Pacific officers have been unable to find the owner of the hand or the identity of the owner.
As the gruesome evidence of a tragedy, Coroner Comstock is holding his his possession, contained in a bucket, the right hand and forward of a human being, and the skin from the right side of a torso, from the thigh to the top of the head. A portion of the scalp, covered by sandy-colored hair, and the right ear, stripped from the skull, may aid in identifying the owner of the remnants of a human being.
That the original owner of tis hand, forearm, and ear was a woman, was the belief of the coroner after he had examined the bits of flesh, and the county physician, Dr. Pratt, agreed that the hand resembled that of a woman. the fact that the skin from the palm of the right had bore no callouses seemed to support this theory.
After the Southern Pacific train crew at Benson had responded to Inspector Cull’s alarm, and removed the human fragments from the truck of the baggage car, and brought them to Tucson in a bucket to turn them over to Coroner Comstock, it was learned that Grading Foreman Johnson, of the Pacheco Construction company, had been killed early yesterday morning at Mongolia, a short distance this side of Lordsburg, and it was thought that the hand and other human debris recovered might be from his body, but last evening Coroner Comstock expressed the belief that there had been two tragedies and the fragments of flesh in his possession were from the body not yet found.
Whether or not this is true, will be learned when the body of Johnson arrived in Tucson. The coroner was informed last evening that the remains of Johnson had been forwarded to Tucson but at midnight he had not been advised as to when they would arrive.
P. J. Smith, who knew Johnson, told the coroner that he was confident the had and other fragments were not from the body of Johnson. On the other hand, J. M. Pacheco, the employer of Johnson, when shown hair scraped from the trucks of the car from which the hand and skin were taken, unhesitatingly declared that they were from the body of his employee.
Southern Pacific Special Officer Kelly left late yesterday morning for Lordsburg to investigate but he had not been heard from last evening.
The theory was expressed by officers yesterday that an eastbound train had run over a man and that the body was picked up from the track by the westbound passenger train and drug along the track, wrenching the right hand and forearm from the body and tearing the skin from the body. Attached to the skin from the right side was a piece of rib.
The fact that the flesh fragments were not discovered when the passenger train was inspected at Bowie yesterday morning, it is pointed out, does not fit in with the theory that the fragments belong to the body of Johnson, who was killed in New Mexico. On the other hand, no trace of the body of a second victim was found on the Southern Pacific right-of-way.
Coroner Comstock said last night that the arrival of Johnson’s body would clear up the mystery. If the right hand and other parts of the body were missing and if they correspond with the ones found, it will have been proven that they are from Johnson’s body, but last night there were a number of indications that there had been two fatal accidents on the right-of-way.
Johnson had been an employe of Pacheco for several years and was regarded as an industrious and capable man. He has a sister at Minneapolis and no arrangements for Johnson’s funeral will be made until she has been heard from.
A follow-up article appeared the next day, and it also appears her tomorrow.
- Johanna Eubank
- Updated
The articles that ran in the paper 100 years ago today were all follow-up articles to the ones presented yesterday.
This includes the story of the body parts, though this is milder. We still recommend discretion.
From the Arizona Daily Star, Thursday, August 3, 1916:
5 MEXICANS HELD AS BURGLARY SUSPECTS
Rincon Apartments and Barber Shop Ransacked; Jewelry Stolen
Five Mexicans suspected of being members of a gang implicated in the recent burglaries were arrested yesterday afternoon by Sheriff Forbes and deputies, on Meyer street. They are being held in the county jail for a complete investigation.
The capture of the five men followed the burglarizing of several apartments at the Rincon yesterday morning.
Threw Clothing Away.
The fact that the burglars who ransacked several apartments at the Rincon, threw away articles of clothing shortly after leaving the place, was considered by officers as indicating that the burglars were not of the ordinary tramp type. Other loot taken comprised two watches, from the apartments of Jack Bowles and Frank Gillingham respectively, and several smaller articles of jewelry, such as stick pins.
The robbery of the Rincon occurred ab out 5:30 o’clock yesterday morning. At that time a man was seen leaving the apartment of F. A. Reynolds, by Jack Bowles, who also has apartments there. Bowles first thought it was Reynolds but when he called the stranger did not answer but hurried away.
The clothing taken from the three Rincon apartments was thrown into the back yard of the home of J. C. McClure, on North Seventh avenue, about a block away and was discovered later in the morning by Mr. McClure, who telephoned the police department. The clothing was taken to the station and later identified by Messrs. Reynolds, Gillingham and Bowles.
Barber Shop Robbed.
Between 7 and 8 o;clock yesterday morning the barber shop of A. Acuna, on South Main street, was robbed of four razors, four pairs of clippers, several pairs of scissors and $8.65 in money, the latter being taken from a trunk. The robbery occurred while Acuna was at breakfast. Two suspects are being sought by officers.
The missing miner's name had been corrected in time for this edition.
Search for Sheerer Still Without Result
Officers Learn Mining Man Was Ill Shortly Before Disappearance
John Sheerer, the mining man who disappeared while on a prospecting trip near the Pima-Pinal county line, over ten days ago, left the Arizona hospital, where he had been ill, on June 17, it was learned by Sheriff Forbes yesterday. It is feared that the weakness of convalescence may have contributed to his collapse on the desert.
Sheriff Hall, of Pinal county, is also conducting a search for Sheerer but up to last night Sheriff Forbes had received no news from the Pinal officer.
Mrs. Joe Andrade, a northside resident, was interested yesterday in The Star’s story of Sheerer’s disappearance, for she had been conducting negotiations with Sheerer prior to his departure on the prospecting trip, for the sale to him of a mining claim which she owns jointly with a Mrs. Barnes. Sheerer had looked at the property and had informed Mrs. Andrade that he would purchase her interest in the claim and the deal was to have been closed upon Sheerer’s return from the prospecting trip south of E. Aguirre’s ranch.
Sheerer, which is the name on the records of the Arizona hospital, is described as of stocky build, having black hair, dark eyes and a black mustache. He was 5 feet, 8 inches in height and weighed 175 pounds.
Lastly, the hand and other body fragments were identified as that of Mr. Johnson, so worries of a second death were unfounded.
Human Hand Found On Train was Johnson’s
Identity Established by Brother; Body sent to Minnesota for Burial
The human hands, forearm, ear and other fragments of flesh which were taken from the forward trucks of the baggage car of Southern Pacific westbound train No. 101 at Benson Tuesday morning and brought to Tucson, were identified yesterday as being a part of the body of A. H. Johnson, foreman of a construction gang of the Pacheco Construction Co., by a brother of the dead man’s.
The body of Johnson was not brought to Tucson, as had been reported it would be, and the hand and other parts of the body which were brought here pending the establishing of their identity, were sent yesterday to Deming, New Mexico, where the inquest was held and from which place the body will be sent to Minnesota for interment. A sister resides in that state.
The establishing of the identity of the hand and other parts as being from the body of Johnson, disproved the theory held by some that they were from a woman’s body and there there had been two fatal accidents instead of one, but it was learned that Johnson was very slight in build, accounting for the latter theory.
- Johanna Eubank
A special court term had been set for trying bootlegging cases, and a special jury was empaneled for those cases as well. One can only imagine the jurors were happy to be on their way when this was over, but the judge involved offered high praise for their service.
From the Arizona Daily Star, Friday, August 4, 1916:
SUPERIOR COURT JURY GIVEN PRAISE
Sets Example for Entire State, Asserts Judge W. F. Cooper
High praise was given members of the jury panel of the superior court yesterday by Judge Cooper when he excused them from further service, after a two weeks’ term of court for the special purpose of trying bootlegging cases.
Judge Cooper stated that in his long service as district attorney and judge he had never known a jury to be more attentive to their duties or to be actuated by higher ideals of citizenship than the present jury.
He stated that from answers given by jurymen, a great many did not believe in the present prohibitory law, but in spite of this fact they had brought in verdicts of guilty in accord with the law and the evidence.
“If I could give the members of the jury any higher praise than I have I certainly would do so,” Judge Cooper said in closing. He declared that the work of the present jury would not only be an example to juries in the future in Tucson, but would be watched all over the state.
How can a ferry work when the river flows one day and is practically empty the next? Read on:
NOVEL DEVICE FOR GIVING AUTOS LIFT
County Maintains Ferry on Wheels at Santa Cruz Crossing
A wagon with a hinged end platform that can be raised and lowered is the novel device of County Engineer Goetz for helping autos across the Santa Cruz river at the St. Mary’s road without having their engines “killed” by the high water.
According to the plan of Engineer Goetz, the rear platform of the wagon is lowered with the end touching the ground. The auto is driven up the platform so that the front wheels are off the ground, and then a lever is pulled, raising the platform and the wheels about a foot from the grounds. The auto is then pulled across, this keeping the engine out of the water. Then the platform is lowered and the car backed off.
Another innovation is the keeping of a buggy at the St. Mary’s crossing to carry foot passengers across the ford so they will not get their feet wet.
The water in both the Santa Cruz and the Rillito has fallen rapidly and there is no need for a team at the St. Mary’s crossing, but a team is still being kept at the Rillito crossing.
It is a given that whenever two things collide, the bigger one almost always wins.
FORD CAR RAMMED BY LARGER MACHINE
Little Craft Trying to Escape, Collides With Light Post
Considerable damage was done to a Ford delivery car of the Brooks Bakery when it was run into by a large Michigan car said to belong to the Cuauhtemoc Film company at the corner of Sixth avenue and Congress street, yesterday afternoon at 3:30 o’clock.
According to J. P. Jackson, driver of the bakery car, he was proceeding east on Congress when the Michigan car came south on Sixth. Jackson states that he thought that the driver of the other car gave him a signal to proceed and as he had the right of way anyhow he went ahead. The driver of the Michigan, who was intending to turn east on Congress, then put on more speed and made the turn Jackson says.
Jackson’s car was struck on the side and in order to keep from being overturned steered sharply to the right, running into the ornamental light post at the corner. A large globe was shattered and the car damaged to the extent of about $50. Nobody was hurt.
- Johanna Eubank
- Updated
The mysterious disappearance of a woman, reported by her husband in July, was finally cleared up. However, a few questions remained, and it is unlikely we will ever get the answers.
From the Arizona Daily Star, Saturday, August 5, 1916:
MC’COY FINDS WIFE BUT BABY IS MYTH
Tucson Woman Who Disappeared Recently Causes Arrest of Los Angeles M. D.
George McCoy, formerly of this city, who came hurriedly to Tucson from Ajo, several weeks ago after receiving a telegram that excited his suspicions as to the safety of his wife, and whose efforts here, seconded by the police, to find Mrs. McCoy were fruitless, has at last found his wife, according to Los Angeles newspapers.
McCoy had gone from Tucson to Ajo to get employment. He succeeded and wire his wife to join him, but the answer that he got was a telegram from another person, a woman whom he did not know and whom the police proved to be a fictitious personage, advising him to cease bothering his wife, saying that she was in a delicate condition and warning him that his insistent letters to her would have a harmful effect.
The telegram aroused McCoy’s suspicions and he took the first train to Tucson, where he showed the wire to the police and asked them to aid him in finding his wife, who was not at the place where they had lived before he went to Ajo. Efforts to find her were futile and after several days McCoy left the city, prosecuting the search for his wife, to whom he appeared greatly attached, alone.
McCoy’s anxiety to find his wife was aggravated by the thought that his wife was to become a mother, which she had, it seems, confided to him. Against the happening of this event, McCoy had sent to his home, in the east, for certain tiny articles of clothing that were heirlooms in his family.
The subsequent development in the disappearance of Mrs. McCoy are related by Los Angeles newspapers, which say, in substance, that a Los Angeles physician, Dr. S. A. Austin, has been arrested charged with filing a false certificate of birth for Mrs. McCoy, the charge being made by the superintendent of a hospital at San Bernardino, who said that Mrs. McCoy had confessed to her that the child named in the certificate had been adopted by her and was not born to her.
According to the superintendent’s story, Mrs. McCoy went to her the later part of July, shortly after her disappearance from Tucson, and asked her to find a baby for her to adopt, but she could find none. The next she heard from Mrs. McCoy, her story says, was a telegram from Los Angeles announcing that a child had been born to her, and a few days later she arrived at the San Bernardino hospital with a new-born baby.
Where McCoy himself had been in the meantime, is not stated in coast newspapers, but it is said that when Mrs. McCoy arrived at the hospital with the babe, the superintendent notified Mr. McCoy, who, it seems, also became suspicious. At that point the woman confessed, it is said, that the child was not hers. Later Dr. Austin was arrested charged with filing a false birth certificate.
It is said by Los Angeles newspapers that McCoy and his wife had left Los Angeles and it was believed that they went to New Mexico.
Officers here express the belief that Mrs. McCoy’s object in attempting to deceive her husband was that she wished to spare him the disappointment of wrecked hopes of fatherhood. Both are well known here, where they formerly resided.
- Johanna Eubank
- Updated
It is sad to say that stories of crime and other conflicts are the main news reported in any newspaper. While that may help people to be safer, some days bad news is the only news.
Burglaries and the arrests of some suspected in a string of burglaries made the news in the Arizona Daily Star, August 6, 1916:
CHINESE GROCERY IS ENTERED; $20 STOLEN
That burglars are still active in Tucson, notwithstanding the efforts of sheriff Forbes and Chief Cullen to rid the city of bad characters, is evident from two robberies yesterday evening.
Thieves entered the grocery store of Lem Goon, on North Sixth avenue near Toole, taking $20 from a trunk. They entered the back door by means of a skeleton key. No trace of the robbers was discovered.
A suitcase was stolen from a passenger at the Espee depot. He went to get a lunch, leaving the grip in the waiting room. While he was gone someone stole the suitcase and made his getaway.
BURGLARY SUSPECTS HELD—The five Mexicans who were arrested several days ago on South Meyer street suspected of committing a number of burglaries in the city, are being held on the charge of vagrancy but it is possible that more serious charges will be made against them in connection with crimes committed in other cities. There past records are being investigated. Officers comment on the fact that since the arrest of the men no burglaries have been reported but no evidence has so far been obtained to connect any of the men with the recent burglaries.
In other news, gunfire in Pinal County wounded a young lady from Tucson and the story is a bit confusing.
MEXICAN WOMAN IS MORTALLY WOUNDED
Two Men Also Shot in Same Fight at Sasco, Pinal County
The victim, it is believed, of a jealous lover, Josefina Finley, a Mexican girl about 20 years of age, of 141 West Alameda street, lies mortally wounded at St. Mary’s hospital and sheriff’s officers of two counties, Pima and Pinal, are looking for her assailant.
The girl was wounded by a bullet in the left temple at Sasco about 6 o’clock yesterday morning, fired by an unknown person, and was brought to Tucson and taken to her home on West Alameda street. Later she was taken to the hospital.
The bullet entered the left temple and lodged above the right eye. Wonder was expressed at the vitality of the girl since the wound is thought to be fatal. Reports from the hospital late last night said that she was still living and conscious at times.
Sheriff Forbes’ first intimation that there had been a tragedy at Sasco, which is in Pinal county, came from Dr. Gotthelf, who reported that he had been called to attend a woman at 141 West Alameda street who was apparently mortally wounded. Deputy Sheriff Ezekials made an investigation and at the girl’s home took into custody a Mexican who gave the name of Juan Mesquite, to be held as a witness.
From Mesquite and from several other witnesses who are being held, the outlines of the tragedy were obtained and confirmatory advices were received by Sheriff Forbes from Sheriff Hall of Pinal county, who was at Sasco investigating the shooting.
According to stories told by witnesses, Josefina Finley went to Sasco several days ago to visit friends. Witnesses referred to the place where she was staying as a “public place.” Friday night Julio Beltran was with her at this place when four men knocked at the door and demanded admission. They were admitted and raised a “rough house,” being drunk, but were subsequently prevailed upon to leave. As they were departing and Josefina Finley was at the door closing it, one of the four men fired three shots into the door, the third inflicting a bullet wound in the left temple of the Finley girl.
None of the witnesses informally examined yesterday by county authorities could give the names of these four men, one of whom, apparently is the assailant of the Tucson girl.
The Finley girl was brought to Tucson in the automobile of Francisco Valenzuela, accompanied by Julio Beltran, Juan Mesquite and another woman. Their statements were taken yesterday. The four men who invaded the house were drunk, these said. Officers are continuing the investigation in Pima county while Pima and Pinal deputies are looking for others who might be involved in the case.
Advices from Sheriff Hall said that two men were also shot at the same time but no evidence of this was obtained by Pima county officers. The four men who are believed to have started the trouble are said to be miners from Silverbell, who went to Sasco Friday night to carouse after having been paid off at Silverbell.
County Attorney Richardson of Pinal county will arrive in the city this morning to investigate the Pima county end of the shooting.
More on this story is coming.
- Johanna Eubank
- Updated
The city council and acting mayor made plans for changes in the police and fire department, placing them under civil service rules. The council discussed a number of topics and referred many to committees.
From the Arizona Daily Star, Tuesday, August 8, 1916:
ACTING MAYOR HAS PLAN TO REDEEM POLICE DEPARTMENT
With Fire Department, It Will Be Put Under Civil Service Rules to Be Drawn Up by City Council Committee
An announcement by Acting Mayor Bernard that steps would be taken immediately to put the police and fire departments under civil service rules, was made at the meeting of the city council yesterday evening. In accordance with the notice, he appointed a committee consisting of Councilmen Hohusen, Litt, Parker and Sullinger to draw up a set of rules and regulations under which examinations for firemen and policemen will be held. It is to be presented to the council before January 1.
Mayor Bernard in making the announcement declared that by taking this step Tucson would put its police department on a high plane of efficiency similar to other cities in the United States that had adopted the civil service plan. The announcement was received with enthusiasm by the councilmen present.
A committee for examining and licensing chauffeurs was appointed as follows: Warren Grosetta, Shad Bowyer, Diego Valencia, H. L. Turner. The usual appointments were made for the coming month.
Three resolutions, No. 459, 460 and 461, for improving part of Second street and Eighth avenue in the old cemetery were passed. The parking will be 20 feet wide and the roadway 33 feet.
Resolution 458 giving a quit claim deed to Louis Aguirre for Lot 1, Block 258 was passed.
The request of Walter Wakefield to erect wagon scales and a tower for crude oil on Seventh street and Sixth avenue was referred to the street committee with power to act.
The report of the special committee in regard to an alley between Feldman’s and Buell’s additions was adopted. It directed that an obstructing fence complained against be torn down.
The annual budget was adopted and the city attorney directed to fix the annual tax levy.
Several protests against Sunday closing of stores were received signed by merchants in the west part of the city. It was referred to the police committee.
A protest against the erection of four tanks by the Standard Oil company at Fourth street and Eleventh avenue was received. It was declared that they were for gasoline and dangerous explosives. It was referred to the building and land committee.
Wants New Milk Law.
Attorney John B. Wright appeared before the council with an amended milk ordinance which he stated was more fair to the dairymen in taking tests than the present ordinance. It was referred to the health committee.
A request for permission to install a telephone in the triangular park at Toole and Fifth by auto drivers was referred to the street committee with power to act.
A request to build a garage at Second and Euclid, by J. A. Rogers, and a request to build a cottage at 830 East Fifth street, by Mrs. Kate B. Reynolds, were referred to the building and land committee.
The Pima county Republican committee asked permission to string a banner across Church street at Pennington. It was referred to the street committee. The request of Otto Haeber to change his auto stand from west to East Pennington was referred to the same committee. A petition for a new water main on Granada street to St. Mary’s road, with a fire plug, was referred to the fire committee.
Anti-Gambling Ordinance.
Although it had been rumored that the council would consider and pass a resolution directed against gambling in the city, no such resolution came up. It is understood, however, that such a resolution has been prepared and has been submitted privately to the councilmen.
The shooting in Sasco that injured a young woman was investigated more thoroughly and it was revealed that the victim had possibly named her assailant.
FINLEY GIRL GIVES NAME OF HER ASSAILANT
Delayed Account of Shooting at Sasco Says Two Bystanders Were Wounded in Duel Between Yaqui and Officer
Yesterday Josefina Finley, shot at Sasco Saturday morning, whispered to Coroner Comstock the name of her assailant. At the time her mind was apparently clear and the name that she gave was the same that she had given to the coroner Saturday.
Notwithstanding the accusation of the Finley woman, officers here are not convinced that the man whose name was given to the coroner by the wounded girl is the assailant. According to advices from Pinal county yesterday, Sheriff Hall has arrested a Yaqui Indian, Pablo Aranda, who will be charged with the shooting. Four other men known to have been at the house where the shooting occurred, are still at large.
The man whom Josefina Finley accuses is still at large but Pima county officers are looking for him. He is well known to them and if he should come out of hiding he will be arrested.
The Finley woman is still holding her own at St. Mary’s hospital, where her wound is being treated.
An account of the shooting at Sasco, giving the details for the first time, was received by The Star yesterday. It is as follows:
“During this night, there had been an exceptionally large amount of liquor drank with many men and women more or less drunk. Also to add to the debauchery of the occasion, several women of the underworld came in from Tucson and assisted in the gaity.
“In the hotel or rooming house, kept by a woman by the name of Lydia O’Brien, there were staying two women by the name of Josefina Finley and Juanna Madero. The Finley woman had a lover by the name of Julio Beltran who was in her room at the time of the shooting. During the evening there had come to this boarding house several Mexicans armed with pistols and some of them had displayed their weapons openly in front of the rooming house.
“After a night of drinking five of these men, all with pistols, came back to the hotel, presumably to get revenge on the man inside the room of the Finley woman. Just as soon as she saw them coming, she shut the door and locked it and told Beltran to keep out of sight, which he proceeded to do, crawling under the bed. While she was at the door, one of the men outside pulled a gun and began shooting at the door of the house. One of the bullets struck the wall of the house and the other two entered the door, one of which struck the Finley woman in the temple above the left eye and entered the skull, lodging just behind the eye. After this third and last shot, the men ran, two going toward Tucson, one toward Red Rock and two toward the smelter.
“Just about this time, another Mexican came on the scene with a gun, one Francisco Valenzuela, and was making it a point to take the part of the Finley woman, though it seems that he kept his gun to himself and would not give same to Beltran. Valenzuela was in the next room to the Finley woman with the Madero woman at the time of the shooting.
Within a few minutes after the first shot, Sheriff Hall arrived on the scene and went to arrest Pablo Aranda one of the five trouble-makers, said to be a Yaqui, but he started to run when the sheriff told him to halt. He failed to obey and the sheriff started in to shoot to frighten him. He then turned on the sheriff and began to shoot. Then ensued a duel between the two without result other than the wounding of a laborer in a nearby house by a bullet from the gun of the Yaqui. By this time the sheriff and the Yaqui were in the road below the Mexican colony and three of the balls from the gun of the Indian struck the house of Ignacio Ybarra, who was eating breakfast at the time. Just as soon as he heard the shots and as he arose from the table and went to look, a bullet from a 41-calibre revolver struck the frame of the door and, glancing off, struck Ybarra in the cheek, going to the bone and lodging against the jaw. Two other shots struck the house, very nearly hitting a little child at the table, and a fourth bullet entered a nearby tent. The bullets from the sheriff’s gun all went in the other direction, away from the colony.
“After both the sheriff and the Indian had emptied their guns, the Indian started to run and the sheriff then went for an automobile and with the chauffeur and another helper gave chase after the Indian, who had by this time gained a considerable start. Up to the present time, the Indian had not been apprehended but should be brought in very soon.
“Ignacio Ybarra was taken to the hospital and had his wound dressed and there the physician in charge, Dr. Jumper, extracted the bullet. Very soon after they brought in the Finley woman and the doctor dressed the wound as best he could.”
Three witnesses, Julio Beltran, Juan Mesquite and Francisco Valenzuela, were taken to Florence yesterday to be held for the trial of those who were arrested for the shooting, including the Yaqui Aranza. County Attorney Richardson, of Pinal county, has returned to Florence.
- Johanna Eubank
- Updated
It should come as no surprise that lightning and high winds caused damage to trees and building 100 years ago as they do today.
If you wish to avoid the sadder news of the past, skip the third article today.
From the Arizona Daily Star, Wednesday, August 9, 1916:
SLIGHT DAMAGE IS DONE BY WINDSTORM
Chinese Store Struck by Lightning; Many Trees Uprooted
Minor damage was done by a severe windstorm, accompanied by rain, which passed through the central part of the city yesterday afternoon about 3:45 o’clock. The wind was accompanied by heavy thunder and lightning and it was followed by a drenching rain.
The store of Lee King and Company, at the corner of Congress and Meyer street, was struck by lightning and the roof badly torn up, the damage being estimated at several hundred dollars. Here the trolley wires were cut down by the bolt of lightning, but were quickly repaired.
A stand of billboards of the Clingan Billposting service on North Sixth Ave., between Pennington and Congress, was blown to the ground during the storm.
Numerous awning were wrecked, among the number being the awning of the Vogue Millinery store on East Congress, and the awning of the Franklin and Heighton Real Estate agency on West Congress.
A window in the Women’s Exchange was broken, but the damage to windows was not as heavy as might have been expected from the violence of the storm.
A large umbrella tree in the yard of Sheriff Forbes on East Pennington street was completely uprooted, falling over the fence so that the upper part projected into the street. A tree at the corner of Church and Pennington was also wrecked. Branches and foliage were torn from numerous trees in other parts of the city.
A bicycle officer attached to the police department appeared to have complaints against him, because his contract was given to another officer when it lapsed.
Bicycle Cop Fails to Get Reappointment
Charges Made Against Sullivan but Accusation Not Made Public
Bicycle Officer T. S. Sullivan was not re-appointed to the police force at the meeting Monday evening by Acting Mayor Bernard, and it was stated yesterday that the failure to name Sullivan is the result of charges against him.
The nature of the charges have not yet been made public, and Sullivan stated yesterday evening that he proposed to fight the matter before the police committee and vindicate himself of whatever the charges were.
The effect of the failure to re-appoint Sullivan with charges against him is equivalent to a suspension. Henry Beltran has been named to fill his place, and yesterday evening was on patrol duty.
A young man missing in the desert was found alive, but died shortly after.
Succor Reaches Youth Too Late to Save Life
Ago Boy, Lost on Desert, Found but Death Claims Handicap
A small excavation made in the ground near a clump of grass which he had made in his last frantic search for water, was the clue that led searchers yesterday afternoon to the finding of Frank Sprague, who was lost on the desert Sunday afternoon four miles from Ajo.
Sprague died yesterday evening several hours after being located, according to news received by Sheriff Forbes.
Sprague and a companion Comstock, started from Copper Hill, eighteen miles from Ajo, to go to the latter place Sunday to play ball. They had a leaky canteen with a half gallon of water. Four miles from Ajo their water gave out and Comstock told Sprague that he would go to the top of a hill and try and locate a ranch. He found the Childs ranch, but when he returned with water Sprague could not be found. Comstock went on to Ajo and a band of searchers was formed who searched that evening and Monday without success.
Yesterday a posse of more than a hundred, chiefly national guardsmen, was formed and continued the search until the clue was found. The discovery of Sprague followed later in the afternoon, but all efforts to save his life were in vain.
He was a young man, strong and healthy, and was a miner. His parents are said to reside in Philadelphia.
- Johanna Eubank
- Updated
Sheriff Forbes, of Pima County, knew an eloping couple when he saw one, especially when the female half was underage.
From the Arizona Daily Star, Thursday, August 10, 1916:
RUNAWAY COUPLE IS DETAINED BY SHERIFF
Sheriff Forbes by clever work “deduced” that Ramon Robles and Edith Dowdy, two young people who arrived last evening, were a runaway couple, and detained them.
Robles, who is a Mexican, stated that he was 21 and that the girl was 16, and that they had run off from Prescott to get married. They were taken to the county jail and questioned. Miss Dowdy, who is an American, has a sister in Tucson.
Sheriff Forbes communicated with Prescott officers and an effort will be made to get the consent of the mother to the marriage. Robles claims that the girl is mistreated at home, and they both are anxious to get married.
The military along the border between the United States and Mexico made plans to conduct a census and make a directory of the legitimate journalists along the border. The was to stop fake stories from being released.
A modern journalist might wonder if there was more to the effort. Journalists from 1916 also may have wondered.
Military Is Making Directory of News Men
Census Being Taken of All Reporters Along International Line
Officers at military headquarters in Arizona at Douglas are compiling a directory of newspaper editors, reporters and correspondents in Arizona towns for the purpose, it is assumed, of ridding the border of the amateur news pest who has been flooding the country with fake stories regarding border occurrences and conditions. Data regarding Tucson news men was obtained last night.
This action follows the recent denunciation by General Funston of the distribution of fake news from border military camps, which has been seconded by every newspaper along the international border. It is intended especially to put a damper on the amateur correspondent representing “back east” newspapers who are members of militia units, but from the fact that a census of all newspaper men along the border is being made it is evident that efficient censorship regulations to meet any contingency are being framed.
- Johanna Eubank
- Updated
A new city charter was proposed by the acting mayor of Tucson. The last charter had been drawn up in 1883, and the acting mayor believed the city had outgrown it.
From the Arizona Daily Star, Friday, August 11, 1916:
NEW CITY CHARTER URGED BY BERNARD
May Call Election to Choose Freeholders to Draw Up Law
A movement for the formulation of a new charter for the city of Tucson is being initiated by Acting Mayor Bernard and other city officials who believe that the city has outgrown the present charter, which was put into effect in 1883.
This far the matter is merely in the preliminary stages and there is nothing definite concerning the changes which would be made in the proposed instrument. There is a general feeling however, that the old charter has become obsolete and is a hindrance to the growth of the city, and that it is high time that a new and up-to-date charter be put into effect.
The general plan by which a city of more than 3500 inhabitants can initiate a new charter is described in the Arizona Civil statutes, Sec. 2033, page 706, 1913. According to the plan, a board of freeholders consisting of fourteen members may be elected at a general or special election to prepare and propose a charter for the city within 90 days after the election.
The proposed charter must be signed by a majority of the members, one copy being filed with the chief executive officer and another with the county recorder. It must be published for 21 consecutive days, and within 30 days and not earlier than 20 days must be submitted to a vote of the qualified electors of the city for their approval or disapproval.
If it is approved by a majority of the voters at the election it is then submitted to the governor, who is to sign it if it does not conflict with the laws of the state. It then becomes the organic law of the city and supersedes any charter before existing and all ordinances inconsistent with it.
An election may be called by the legislative body of the city, or may be initiated by petition with the signatures of 25 per cent of the voters in the last general municipal election. The election for freeholders must be held not later than 30 days after the call.
Tucsonans were looking forward to the Southern Arizona fair in October. The committee teased readers with some event possibilities.
FAIR DISCUSSED AT INFORMAL MEETING
Marathon, Auto Races and Motorcycle Race are Probable Events
At an informal meeting held yesterday evening at the Tucson chamber of commerce, plans for the coming session of the Southern Arizona fair were discussed. The fair will be held October 20, 21 and 22, a week after the Safford fair and a month prior to the state fair. These dates will fall on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Nothing definite was decided upon yesterday, but the discussions centered on the details of the program of sports. A fifty-mile auto race and a novelty race for small cars were talked of. These races will probably be held on separate days of the fair.
The San Xavier marathon is a strong probability as an attraction, but it will probably not be run from the Mission as before, but will run on the half mile track before the spectators in the grandstand. The present indications are that a field of at least 20 entrants will be in the race to take Bill Ahrens’ title of Southwestern champion away from him. The marathon is talked of for the first day.
A motorcycle race to be run on the five mile track at the same time that the marathon is being run on the other track is another probable event. This event is in high favor with the promoters of the fair.
A whole day devoted to a program of “wild west” events is another popular idea. This may be arranged for the closing day of the fair.
In addition to these, there will be the usual horse races and other attractions. The exhibits will be specially attractive the present season, as efforts are being made to co-operate with the other fairs in this matter.
Among those at the meeting were President Sam Barkley, Secretary Myers, Vice President Jack Ryland, Fred Ronstadt, J. W. Estill, Shad Bowyer and many others.
The Arizona State Federation of Labor held its convention in Tucson. Prohibition was a major topic of discussion.
COMPENSATION LAW OPPOSED BY LABORITES
Letter Read from Brewery Workers Attacking Prohibition; Convention Limits Tenure of Office to Two Years
By a unanimous vote the Arizona State Federation of Labor convention disapproved of the proposed initiated workmen’s compensation law already filed with the secretary of state to be voted on at the fall election.
Speakers declared that the present law was bad, but that the proposed law would be worse, and the resolution urging the use of the resources of the federation for its defeat was unanimously passed.
A bitter attack on prohibition was contained in a communication to the federation from the Brewery Workers union of Cincinnati, which was read in the convention yesterday afternoon. The letter was accompanied by a statement of opinion strongly adverse to prohibition made public recently by Samuel Gompers, president of the American Federation of Labor.
Several delegates objected to the reading of the communication on the ground that, according to a recent resolution passed by the federation, all matters concerned with prohibition were barred. President Wilkinson, however, ruled that the matter as a communication had the right to be read.
A motion requesting clemency for Tally, a murderer condemned to death at Miami, was passed but delegates favoring the resolution disclaimed any purpose of bringing up the subject of capital punishment.
Following the afternoon session the delegates were taken on a motorcade to the San Xavier Mission in 25 machines furnished by the Tucson chamber of commerce. Secretary Myers and his assistant, Roy B. Leach, had charge of the arrangements for the motorcade.
At the morning session a warm fight developed over the report of the committee recommending a resolution to limit the term of office of officers of the state federation to two years. After a long debate the proposition was adopted by a vote of 99 to 14.
Delegate H. S. McCluskey, of the Miners Union of Miami, led the fight against the report of the committee. He has just returned from the convention of the Western Federation of Miners at Great Falls, Mont. He opposed the limit of two years on the ground of efficiency, claiming that officers who had become experienced should not be displaced by inexperienced men.
The position of Delegate McCluskey was strongly opposed by numerous delegates, among them President Wilkinson. Delegate Shea of Globe also favored the two year limit.
The convention by a vote of 78 to 23 approved a resolution that not more than one member of each craft shall sit on the executive board.
Thomas H. Adams of Phoenix, delegate from the theatrical employees union of that city, was excused from further attendance on the convention as he left yesterday evening for Baltimore to attend a national convention.
- Johanna Eubank
- Updated
The president of the fair association spoke to the Tucson Luncheon club and garnered more support for the fair. Financially, the fair was solid; now the cub would help raise enthusiasm.
From the Arizona Daily Star, Saturday, August 12, 1916:
LUNCHEON CLUB GETS BEHIND SO. ARIZ. FAIR
No Financial Troubles to Mar Success of 1916 Show, President Sam Barkley Says Speakers Boost Fair
Plans for the coming Southern Arizona fair, October 20, 21 and 22, were discussed at the meeting of the Tucson Luncheon club yesterday at the Santa Rita hotel.
President Sam Barkley, of the fair association, prefaced his talk about the fair by telling the lunchers of the prosperous condition of the state as ascertained by him on his recent trips about the state.
“A fourth of the copper of the world is being produced in Arizona at present,” he said was information he had learned in the mining towns, which were in the most prosperous financial condition now ever known.
He stated that although the first state lands had been sold at their appraisement figures without one bidder, now there were numerous bidders for the various tracts offered.
He outlined briefly the plans for the coming fair, stating that the financial problems had all been settled and that a first-class program of events would be arranged and asked for the support and co-operation of everyone.
No financial aid would be asked of anyone, President Barkley declared, but the hearty support and good will of every member of the Luncheon club was desired.
In reference to Tucson Mr. Barkley stated that City Manager Clark had told him that the public improvements, unless halted by some unforeseen event, would amount to $1,000,000 for the present year.
Charles Solomon, president of the Arizona National bank, made a short talk, boosting the fair, and Prof. Morse told of the farming exhibits.
“We must educated the farmer,” he said, “to put up his products suitable for the demands of the market. It is not the right thing to offer prizes for the biggest watermelon, the biggest pumpkin and the biggest potato, but uniform products.”
Prof. Williams, of the University of Arizona, spoke briefly of the great aid to local stock raisers in the fair.
B. T. Wilkinson, president of the Arizona State Federation of Labor, now in session, was introduced by Justice O. E. Comstock and spoke briefly, thanking the chamber of commerce for the many courtesies offered the visiting delegates.
F. O. Bristol, a prominent insurance agent of the Pacific coast, was introduced by Harry Drachman.
Superintendent Harold Steele, of the Tucson public schools, was introduced by Harry Drachman and praised the Tucson Spirit of good fellowship which he had found on his return from the east. He promised to bring some educational problems before the Luncheon club during the coming year.
That the rising generation is coming to the front in the Luncheon club was evidenced yesterday by the introduction of John Haynes, a Tucson young man who recently graduated form the Southern California Law School. He made a brief talk, which me with much applause, and told a good lawyer yarn.
Mr. Rosemond, of St. Louis, was introduced by Henry Jaasted.
In other news, a man accused of stealing a bicycle frame was cleared by the presence of grains of sand on the frame. He was also helped by his wife's testimony and that of other witnesses.
Few Grains of Sand Decisive Evidence
Save Domingo Castro from Serving Term in Jail for Theft
The presence of a few grains of sand on the frame of a bicycle probably saved Domingo Castro from being sentenced to serve a term in jail for theft. As it was, he was released.
Castro was arrested on the charge of stealing a bicycle frame belonging to Pablo Olivas. Olivas saw it in front of a store in the western part of the city where Castro, who was employed there, had exhibited it as being for sale. Olivas identified it by the number on the frame as being a part of a bicycle which had been stolen from him in front of the Owl drug store three weeks ago. It looked like a clear case against Domingo, but his wife saved the day for him.
Mrs. Castro testified that she had found the bicycle frame in an arroyo on North Fourth avenue shortly after a heavy rain about fifteen days ago and had taken it home with her. Later her shoes needing to be repaired, she told her husband to take the frame down town and sell it for sixty cents. Her husband did, and was arrested.
The justice yesterday, acting on a practical hunch of wisdom, examined the disputed piece of property and found on it grains of sand which corresponded to the sand in the arroyo, just as Mrs. Castro said he would. The woman’s story was supported by several other witnesses and Castro was discharged.
- Johanna Eubank
- Updated
It is important to be precise when sending a message to detain someone arriving on the stage. Otherwise a married man might be mistakenly held for eloping with a young girl.
From the Arizona Daily Star, Sunday, august 13, 1916:
Fates Play Cruel Joke On Silverbell Mexican
Charged With Eloping With Girl When He Was Only Fellow-Passenger
A misunderstood telephone message, the subsequent severance of telephone communication between Tucson and Silverbell Friday afternoon, and the imps of Old Nick himself, combined to play a cruel prank on a respected Mexican citizen of Silverbell. At the sheriff’s office the name of the man was “deleted” from the records, lest the affair become public and cause the man, who is married, embarrassment and possible domestic trouble.
About 5 o’clock a telephone message was received at the sheriff’s office from Deputy Sheriff Bell at Silverbell, asking that an officer intercept the Silverbell stage and remove and hold in custody a young Mexican girl and, as the receiver of the message understood him to say, a man who accompanied her.
An officer was sent to take the couple into custody. They proved to be Eloisa Ayala, a young Mexican girl, perhaps 16 years of age, and a middle-aged Mexican man, who was the butt of the imps’ joke. After they had been taken to the sheriff’s office, an effort was made to get into communication with the deputy at Silverbell and ascertain what charge there was against them, but the telephone line to Silverbell had been put out of commission, and Officer Rube Hopkins was sent in an automobile to learn the circumstances of the case.
When he returned the man was released with profuse apologies, for it was established that he was simply a passenger on the same stage chosen by the girl as a means of making her escape from home. The girl was turned over to Probation Officer Hopley.
In Cochise County, a constable was ambushed as he attempted to apprehend two burglars. Following a gun battle, the officer dragged himself two miles for help.
COCHISE CONSTABLE, WOUNDED, UNHORSED, SLAYS 2 MEXICANS
Plucky Officer Drags Self Mile to Report Ambush By Burglar Suspects—Posse Finds John Bright’s Aim Was Deadly
(SPECIAL TO THE STAR)
COURTLAND, Ariz., Aug. 12.—After his horse had been short from under him by two Mexicans, suspected of having perpetrated a burglary, and he himself had been shot through the hip, Constable John Bright, of Cortland, Cochise county, drawing his gun as he lay prone on the ground beside the body of his horse, killed the two Mexicans this morning at about 10 o’clock two miles from Cortland. Bright will recover. The bodies of the two Mexicans were brought to Cortland.
After emptying his revolver at the Mexicans, who had ambushed him, Bright, not knowing that he had killed his assailants, crawled a distance of two miles on his hands, drawing his wounded leg by sheer force of will, and reported to a ranch house the fact that he had been ambushed by the suspected burglars. A posse of cowboys was quickly formed and went in pursuit of the Mexicans, but they found that John Bright’s aim had been better than he thought, for the bodies of the two men were found near the scene of the ambush.
Bright took up the trail of the suspects early this morning, after the discovery of the burglary, and when about two miles from Cortland they waylaid him, the first volley from their revolvers cutting down the officer’s horse and the second inflicting a painful wound in the right hip of Bright. Lying on the ground, Bright drew his gun and emptied it at the Mexicans, with summary effect, as was later discovered.
Speaking of being precise — as in the first story here — a coroner's jury could have used some lessons on precision in language. The jury's verdict was a bit strange.
Coroner’s Jury Gives Freak Murder Verdict
Find Frederick Morris Died From Wound in His Slayer’s Hand
One of the most strangely worded verdicts ever returned by coroner’s jury in Pima county, was returned yesterday afternoon by a jury of Coroner Comstock’s jurisdiction. The verdict can not be used by the state in the preliminary hearing of a man who is charged with the murder of the subject of the inquisition if the state desired to so do, for it says in effect that the murdered man came to his death from a wound in the hand of the man charged with murdering him.
The inquest was in the matter of the death of Frederick Morris, Santa Rita chef, who was killed by his brother-in-law, William Pearce, several weeks ago, and the jury is believed to have intended to declare that Morris came to his death from a pistol bullet wound, or “gunshot wound” as it is commonly said, inflicted by William Pearce, but what the verdict actually said was that Morris came to his death from “a gunshot (pistol) bullet wound in the hands of one William Pearce.”
The inquest was concluded yesterday after having been taken up and postponed several times. Pearce will be given a preliminary hearing this week, probably Wednesday. The charge of murder has been placed against him. He is defended by Attorney T. K. Richey. It is reported that the alleged finding of an open razor by Morris’ body will be a feature of the defense, though Attorney Richey declined to say what the defense would be.
Does this mean that if the alleged murderer can prove he never had a wound in his hand that he will be acquitted?
- Johanna Eubank
- Updated
It turns out the pocket flashlight can be a formidable weapon when shined in the face of an armed burglar. This is especially true of the burglar thinks you may be armed with more than the flashlight.
From the Arizona Daily Star, August 15, 1916:
EX-CONVICT, ARMED, CONQUERED BY NERVE
Clarence Barnhardt, With Flashlight and Superior Will, Captures Burglar
Armed with nothing but a pocket flashlight, Clarence Barnhardt, of 225 East Fourth street, conquered Jesus Navarro an ex-convict, who was armed with a six-shooter, Sunday evening. It was a battle of wills and the American won the mastery. Sunday evening about 9 o’clock Barnhardt heard a noise in his back yard and, going to the door, observed a Mexican, who proved to be Navarro, trying to unlock the door of an outhouse in which a quantity of clothing was stored.
Earnhardt surprised the Mexican in the act of trying to enter the house. The Mexican, turning suddenly, made a move toward his hip pocket as if to draw a gun. In a flash Barnhardt realized that he, unarmed, was at the mercy of a man who, for all he knew, might be a desperate criminal who would not hesitate to do murder.
Appreciating his peril, Barnhardt flashed a pocket electric flashlight in the Mexican’s face, keeping it within a few inches of his eyes. The intruder was completely blinded by the glare and for all he knew a gun was covering a vital part of his body down under the glare of the flashlight. His right hand, containing the weapon, was halted as it swung into position, and Barnhardt had won.
Earnhardt called to his wife then to request her to telephone the police to come for the burglar and Officer O’Donnell responded. In the meantime Mrs. Barnhardt had gone to her husband’s aid, knowing that he was unarmed, and she gave her husband a pistol, which he substituted for the flashlight.
After the officer had taken the Mexican away, Barnhardt picked up from the ground where Navarro had stood, a six-shooter, which he had evidently dropped to the ground as he was faced by Barnhardt’s pocket flashlight.
Navarro was turned over to the county authorities yesterday and two charges were put against him, attempted burglary and burglary. No charge of carrying a concealed weapon has yet been made against him.
The charge of burglary resulted from a search of Navarro’s home, where clothing that had been stolen from the outhouse in Barnhardt’s yard last Thursday night, was found. It was identified by the owner by marks on the lining of a coat placed there by a cleaner, which corresponded to marks on a vest belonging to the same suit, which had been overlooked by the thief.
A bootlegger went to jail and his wife was released, at least until she continued her criminal ways.
Partners In Life and Crime Are Reunited
Woman Bootlegger Violates Parole and Joins Husband, Also Bootlegger, In Jail
Charles Phillips and his wife, Hannah Phillips, partners in life and in crime were reunited yesterday when Hannah, the execution of whose sentence for bootlegging had been suspended during good behavior, was sent to jail to join her husband Charles Phillips, who was sent to jail during the recent term of the superior court after he had been found guilty with his wife, of violating the prohibition law.
The revocation of Hannah Phillips’ parole followed her arrest Saturday night after a free-for-all fight at a negro club on South Main street operated by Phillips and his wife. It was the sale of liquor at this place that got Phillips and his wife into trouble in the first instance. Hannah was arrested, together with another negress, Bess Doran, on the charge of disturbing the peace. This charge against the woman club proprietor was dropped after Judge Cooper imposed the suspended sentence in the bootlegging case, which was one year in jail and a fine of $150.
In justice court, Bess Doran was fined $45 and given a jail term of sixty days, but the latter part of her sentence was suspended during good behavior.
When Phillips and his wife were called before Judge Baxter, of Yuma county, then presiding in the Pima superior court, Charles Phillips, nearly 70 years of age, made an eloquent plea for mercy for his wife and as a result the court suspended the execution of the sentence against the woman.
- Johanna Eubank
- Updated
Some things never change. The Tucson Police Department was in the hot seat when the police committee met.
It must be noted in the following article that Desk Sergeant Sullivan and former Bicycle Patrolman Sullivan are not the same person.
From the Arizona Daily Star, Wednesday, August 16, 1916:
Police Department Will Be Raked Fore And Aft By Council
Widest Publicity Is Promised Findings of Police Committee
The investigation of a number of matters connected with the administration of the police department will be taken up at a meeting of the police committee to be held Thursday afternoon in room 2 of the Postoffice building.
It was stated yesterday that there will be an investigation of the action of Desk Sergeant James Sullivan in releasing Nick Brown, of Phoenix, a United States revenue official, who was arrested by Officer T. S. Sullivan on a charge of bringing liquor into the restricted district. This occurred a number of months ago.
Sergeant Sullivan has stated that the charge against Brown, that of carrying liquor into the restricted district, was not a violation of any city ordinance or state law and has declared that he is responsible for the release of Brown.
This is only one of a number of matters in connection with the police that will be investigated at the meeting Thursday afternoon, Acting Mayor Bernard stated yesterday. He has declined to state the nature of the investigations but has promised that, whatever they are, they will be given the widest publicity.
There are no charges against former Bicycle Patrolman T. S. Sullivan, Acting Mayor Bernard stated yesterday, and his case will not be taken up at all at the investigation. He was dropped from the force at the beginning of the month, but there are no formal charges against him, it is stated.
The following story is faintly reminiscent of a slightly more recent trial in which the fit of a glove was a much-discussed topic.
Claimants of Goods In Case Used As Models
Court Adopts Novel Method of Proving Ownership of Clothing
Both the complaining witness and the defendant were used as models yesterday in the trial of Jesus Navarro, charged with attempted burglary and burglary, while the court was trying to establish ownership of carious articles.
One of the articles alleged to have been stolen by Navarro, who is an ex-convict, was a blue serge coat. On the stand as a witness for the state, the complaining witness, Clarence Barnhardt, claimed the coat as his own, whereupon the county attorney directed that he stand and try on the coat. Donning the coat, he turned to the right and to the left for the inspection of the county attorney and the justice.
It fit perfectly.
Another article alleged to have been stolen by the Mexican was a hat. The defendant claimed it for his own and the court instructed him to place it on his head. Navarro needed a haircut badly but the hat seemed to be a fair fit. It was identified by Barnhardt, however, as being his property.
Navarro took the stand in his own behalf and he was given a long cross examination by he county attorney. He created merriment in the court room when, answering a question regarding the hat, he said he wore a hat No. 6 7-4.
After hearing the evidence, Justice Comstock held the man to the superior court on the two charges under bonds totaling $850. The county attorney vigorously protested, pointing out that a felony was charged in each case and that it was the custom of the court to fix bonds in liquor selling cases, a misdemeanor, at a higher figure. The bonds remained unchanged, however.
In other news, it appeared a lady may have fled a raid, but she left something behind.
Dainty Handkerchief Of Opium Smoker Left Behind In Sudden Flight
Officers Collect Outfit in Raid on Red House During Investigation
When sheriff’s officers raided the Red House, on Meyer street, following an investigation of a burglary there Sunday evening, they found in one of the rooms evidences of a “twosome” opium smoke, evidently suddenly interrupted. The pipe was a tandem, with a stem at each end.
That one of the smokers was a woman was indicated by the fact that a dainty linen handkerchief, heavily embroidered, was stuffed into the opium container. The pipe itself was of the standard oriental type, bamboo cane with an ivory capped opening at each end and in the middle of the cane a Chinese letter bowl. There was every part of the typical joint outfit except the opium scales.
The outfit was collected together with an assortment of bottles of whiskey and taken to the sheriff’s office. No arrests have been made.
The opium smoking outfit will be returned to the owner of it can be discovered to whom it belongs. According to United States Commissioner Jones, a recent decision of the United States supreme court gave a ruling similar in principle to that of the “personal use” ruling in prohibition cases, that opium is not contraband when it is evident that the drug was in the owner’s possession for his “personal use.” Formerly opium in any quantity was seized wherever found by the United States customs authorities.
While officers believe that they know the owner of the outfit, they assert they do not know the owner of the embroidered handkerchief.
- Johanna Eubank
- Updated
A new fire station would be built, but the question was, where? A park was one of the possibilities.
From the Arizona Daily Star, Thursday, august 17, 1916:
Fire Station Will Be Located in City Park Currently Reported
Would “Beautify” Natural Beauty Spot, Its Advocates Argue
Although the report of the committee to select a site for the new fire station on the north side has not been as yet made public, it is understood that the committee has chosen as a location the city park on the north side between First and Second streets and between Fourth and Fifth avenues.
The new fire station will be located within the park and will face wast, thus fronting on North Fourth avenue. This is thought to be the best street on which to get out of the station on. It is the street the subway is on.
It is the plan to build a Mission style fire station and to surround it with three and shrubbery, thus adding to the beauty of the park instead of allowing the building to detract from the park effects.
With the building of a station on the north side it is believed that the whole department will be motorized and horses done away with entirely. It has been proposed to see the old fire engine and purchase two new triplet motors, carrying hose, engine and chemical apparatus. With the present motor chemical it is believed that this equipment would serve the city for a number of years to come.
The department has $14,000 approximately at its disposal and will get credit for horses and the old fire engine.
This was the day for the police committee meeting, in which a number of items of interest would be discussed including complaints against officers.
Police Department Inquiry Occurs Today
Probe Follows Sergeant’s Letter to Paper Defending Revenue Officer
Police conditions in Tucson will be made the subject of an investigation by the police committee of the city council at a meeting this afternoon at 3 o’clock in room 2 of the postoffice building.
Among other matters to be probed, will be the release of Revenue Officer Nick Brown, of Phoenix, by Sergeant James Sullivan some moths ago after he had been arrested the evening before by Patrolman T. S. Sullivan on a charge of carrying liquor into the restricted district. Sergeant Sullivan has received a summons to appear before the committee and it is probable that other witnesses will be asked to appear.
It is stated that there will be a number of other matters to be brought up at the meeting of the committee and it is promised that publicity will be given to every thing brought out at the meeting.
Sergeant Sullivan’s action in the matter were entirely free and above board. In fact, the manner in which the case became public was from a letter written by the sergeant to a local weekly newspaper protesting against the injustice done to Mr. Brown in an article dealing with the matter.
Wind at a rail yard cased a lantern to blow out at the most inopportune moment.
Like Breath of Cruel Fate, Wind Blew Out Lantern, Yardman Hurt
Impossible to Give Stop Signal, Two Strings of Cars Collide
The sudden snuffing out of his lantern, which made it impossible to give a stop signal to the engineer, is the explanation offered for a collision in the Espee yards yesterday morning at 4 o’clock in which M. P. Stevens, a yardman in the local yards sustained serious injuries to his head and right arm.
According to the investigations of local officials, Stevens was riding on the head car, a boxcar, of a string of eleven cars moving eastward on track No. 9 for coupling with another string of cars.
On approaching the other string, Stevens failed to give the signal to stop and the cars crashed into the waiting string with the result that the head boxcar of the moving string was doubled up by the heavy tank car following it. Stevens in the meantime had walked back to the end of the boxcar and was climbing down the ladder, presumably to give the signal to stop, which he was unable to do when his lantern went out, and was caught between the telescoping cars.
On account of the fact that he was on the ladder, his injuries were not serious and it is probably that this saved him from instant death.
He was rushed to the Arizona hospital and given emergency treatment immediately. It is not believed that his arm will have to be amputated.
Stevens had worked for the company two months. It is said that he has a wife in Texas who expected to join him shortly.
- Johanna Eubank
- Updated
The forest supervisor reported that the wild hay crop would be a good one in 1916.
From the Arizona Daily Star, Friday, August 18, 1916:
“Wild Hay Crop Will Be Fine”—Johnson
Range Conditions in Southern Arizona Are Good, He Finds
That there will be a large quantity of wild hay cut the present year in the bog valleys in eastern Arizona and western New Mexico, was the statement for Forest Supervisor Don P. Johnson, who returned yesterday from an extended trip in the Chiricahua and Las Animas ranges.
Supervisor Johnson states that the stand of drama grass, the staple wild grass of the southwest, is very excellent in the San Pedro, Sulphur Springs, San Simon and Las Animas valleys. The farmers are planning to cut their crops later int he fall just before the grass ripens when it contains the most nourishment.
Mr. Johnson also stated that the crops of the dry farmers in these valleys were most excellent. He stated that he had never eaten finer watermelons or roasting ears that he had on the present trip.
While in the Chiricahua mountains in company with Forest Ranger William A. Accurst, a brother pf Senator Accurst, a fine bay horse belonging to the latter was bitten on one of the forefeet above the ankle by a rattlesnake.
Prompt work on the part of Johnson and Accurst saved the animal’s life. They tied a tourniquet about the leg to stop the circulation of blood, applied soda and ammonia to the wound after they had lanced it to make it bleed more freely, and then greased the leg to counteract the effects of the ammonia. The animal was also placed in a tank of water to cool his blood. Although the bitten place swelled enormously the treatment was effective. Ranger Accurst has just recently been transferred from the Sitgreaves forest.
The big local news of the day was that the editor of a weekly newspaper in Tucson accused the Tucson police chief of threatening to kill him.
WHARTON PREFERS CHARGES AGAINST POLICE CHIEF CULLEN
“Threatened to Kill Me,” Says Editor of Weekly Newspaper, But Chief Says Charge Is False—Desk Sergeant Suspended 30 Days Without Pay
Charges filed against Chief of Police James Cullen to the effect that he had threatened to kill F. J. Wharton, editor of the Tucson Signal, a weekly publication last Sunday at the Orndorff hotel, were made public at a meeting of the police committee held yesterday afternoon at 3 o’clock in room 2 of the Postoffice building.
The committee, after hearing a statement from Desk Sergeant James Sullivan in reference to the release of Nick Brown, a United States revenue officer, charged with taking liquor into the restricted district, recommended that he be laid off the force for 30 days without pay. Acting Mayor Bernard, Councilmen Hohusen and Grosetta and City Attorney Dunseath were present.
The charges against Chief Cullen were not acted upon by will be taken up later by the city council. Copies of the charges were ordered to be made by the city clerk and transmitted to Chief Cullen. This is the procedure specified by the city charter whenever formal charges are made against an elective officer. It takes a vote of three fourths or five councilmen to remove an elective officer after a hearing on charges filed.
When informed of the charges yesterday afternoon, Chief Cullen declared that they were false and denied that he had ever threatened to kill Wharton.
It was brought out at the meeting of the police committee that Wharton had taken the matter up with County Attorney Hilzinger and that the latter had summoned Chief Cullen and informed him of the charges and that he had denied ever making threats to kill Wharton.
Chief Cullen has stated that his purpose in having an interview with Wharton was to correct statements appearing in the Tucson Signal which he considered unjust to himself and misleading. He has declared that he never had the slightest intention of offering any threats of personal violence to Wharton.
WHARTON’S CHARGES.
The charges filed against Chief Cullen which were read at the meeting are as follows:
“Tucson, Ariz., Aug. 16, 1916.
“To the Mayor and Common Council of the City of Tucson.
“Gentlemen: I desire to make the following report and complaint against James Cullen, chief of police of the City of Tucson, Ariz., under the provisions of the charter of the city pertaining to complaints against elected officers, and for the purpose of receiving your attention.
“On Sunday afternoon of this week at the hour of 1:00 o’clock, James Cullen came to my place of business at the Orndorff hotel and called me to the outside of the door, and on the sidewalk in front of the hotel office. He at that time in an angry and threatening manner made a statement to me which I am repeating as nearly as possible as follows:
“ ‘Wharton, I want to tell you that I am going to be a candidate for the office of city marshall at the coming election, and if I am defeated I intend to kill you. I am too old a man to go to work, and I have no money saved to take care of myself and I do not intend to let you take the bread and butter out of my mouth.’
“While making this statement, Mr. Cullen had his left hand in his hip pocket where I suppose he had his gun. I attempted to pacify him and stated generally that I was not taking any bread and butter out of his mouth, but that I believed it was my duty to call the public’s attention to his inefficiency as a public officer, and his failure to perform his duties as he should perform them. He then stated that he was handicapped by being interfered with in his business by City Recorder Cowan and City Attorney Dunseath. I then stated to him that if I were chief of police I would not permit any person to interfere with my duties, and that if any man was interfering with him it was up to him to make charges against them and have the interference stopped. There was considerable conversation between us at that time, and I was in fear that he would make good his threat to cause me to suffer personal injury, and he might be foolish enough to draw his gun and start shooting at me. Mr. Cullen and myself were the only two persons present at the conversation just recited, but a few moments later my wife came out of the hotel office to get into my machine and we got away from Mr. Cullen without any further trouble or discussion.
“I made these charges with the full knowledge of what it will mean of the charges are not correct and properly stated and request that you make such an investigation as you may deem advisable under the circumstances. As I informed Mr. Cullen, I believe that public officers are subject to criticism for their public actions and a man should not threaten the life and injury of a person who might criticize his official actions.
“I await further action in this matter.
“Respectfully yours,
“F. J. WHARTON.”
The matter of the release of Nick Brown, United States revenue officer, who was arrested buy Officer T. S. Sullivan at night and charged on the blotter with carrying liquor into the restricted district, was taken up first at the committee meeting.
Desk Sergeant James Sullivan was called to make a statement of the matter and also of a letter which he had written to the Tucson Signal accepting all responsibility for the release.
SULLIVAN’S STATEMENT
According to the statement of Sergeant Sullivan, he first saw Brown the morning after the latter’s arrest when he pounded on the door of the cage and asked to be let out near the stove to get warm (it was in November). Sullivan stated that he let Brown come to the fire to warm himself and listened to his story.
Brown stated that he was a government officer and wanted to get evidence against a negro prostitute in the restricted district whom he suspected of selling opium to inmates of the district. He stated that in order to do this he had played drunk and gone to her place and sitting on a trunk had suddenly toppled over on the floor to search a dresser for opium.
He declared that the whiskey found on his person was obtained by him in New Mexico for the purpose of making a test to ascertain as to whether a saloon keeper was not mixing water with his whiskey.
Sullivan declared to the committee that there was no city or state law against “carrying” liquor into the restricted district and he stated that he believed that Brown had been unjustly arrested. He declared that he had full authority to make the release.
City and state statutes were quoted by Acting Mayor Bernard to show that Brown had committed an offense and he then quoted a city ordinance to Sullivan in which it was stated that neither the chief of police or any police officer had any right to release a person arrested without orders form the city recorder.
Sergeant Sullivan then stated that he was acting under orders contained in “Police Rules” which gave the desk officer authority to release or hold a prisoner arrested.
Acting Mayor Bernard then read the rule appealed to, which stated that the booking officer must consult with the arresting officer before releasing the person arrested. When asked if he had done this, Sullivan admitted that he had not. Acting Mayor then stated that the police rules could not conflict with the city ordinances anyhow.
Further questioning by those present developed the fact that, notwithstanding his letter to the Signal accepting responsibility for the release, Sullivan had not actually released Brown. He stated that on going to breakfast he had left him sitting by the stove and when he had returned Brown was gone.
Acting Mayor Bernard in dismissing Sullivan stated that he must understand that there was no intention of questioning his honesty but that his position that the desk officer had the right to release or hold persons, was in question.
After discussion it was decided to recommend that Sullivan be laid off thirty days without pay.
Sullivan protested against City Attorney Dunseath asking him questions but was overruled by the mayor.
In the questions at the hearing, other facts relative to the matter were brought out. It was claimed that the whiskey in question had been purchased on Meyer street and not in New Mexico and that it was not in Brown’s pocket when he was arrested but was sitting on the dresser in the room of the negro prostitute opened and that Brown had been drinking in the room. It was also claimed that he was badly intoxicated and that Officer T. S. Sullivan had left a notation on the blotter to the effect that he wished to see the city recorder before Brown’s case was taken up. It was declared that Officer T. S. Sullivan could have made charges of drunkenness or indecent exposure against Brown. Another point brought out was that County Attorney Hilzinger had phoned Night Desk Sergeant Eseau Mills asking that Brown be held so that it could be ascertained where he purchased the liquor.
More like this...
- Johanna Eubank
The father of the young man who committed suicide — or so it was ruled — in a sanitarium arrived in Tucson and expressed his belief that his son's death was an accident instead of intentional.
From the Arizona Daily Star, Aug. 1, 1916:
Coroner’s Verdict Is Disputed By Father
Doubts That Son Committed Suicide; Thinks “Baron” Mistake
That his son, Benjamin W. Eckels, did not commit suicide but was accidentally shot, is the belief of J. F. Eckels, wealthy Iowa farmer, who arrived Sunday to accompany the remains of the young man to Nevada, Iowa, where the funeral will be held.
Mr. Eckels states that the young man was very much interested in writing motion picture scenarios and he believes that while acting some part with a six shooter in the bathroom the gun was accidentally discharged, resulting in the young man’s death.
Mr. Eckels also does not believe that his son contemplated traveling to the South Sea islands as a “baron,” as was stated in the local papers. He believes that the address on the envelope from a traveling company to “Baron Banes Wadsworth Eckels” was a mistake on the part of the person addressing the letter.
Mr. Eckels states that the son was quite eccentric but he does not believe that he ever contemplated suicide and he wishes to state this view of the matter to the public.
Officers appeared to have no doubt but what young Eckels took his own life. The fact that he fired two shots one after another into his heart was taken by them as conclusive proof that he had taken his own life.
One might assume a parent would not want to believe his child would prefer not to live, so the accident theory is quite understandable.
In other news, after one boy who had run away from the orphans' home was found, another went missing. He was likely also a runaway, but this time from parents and not an orphanage.
Missing Youth Found; Another Disappears
After remaining in hiding since July 29, Frank Garcia, a youth 10 years of age, who disappeared from the Arizona Orphans’ home, on St. Mary’s road, was found yesterday sitting astride a big watermelon that capped a load of melons being brought into the city by a huckster. He was returned to the home. Where he had spent the interim officers were unable to ascertain.
Sheriff’s officers spent yesterday in a vain search for Milton Greenblatt, young son of Mrs. E. Greenblatt, of North Seventh avenue, who left home early yesterday morning. It was learned that he boarded an eastbound freight train at 8 o’clock yesterday morning and telegrams were sent to nearby points on the Southern Pacific railroad, but up to late last evening no word had been received as to the lad’s whereabouts.
- Johanna Eubank
Editor’s note: The final story today is a bit gruesome and graphic — perhaps more than a bit. We don’t recommend reading it while eating or immediately after.
A string of home burglaries was keeping law enforcement frustrated, mostly because there was no detective on the force to investigate.
From The Arizona Daily Star, Wednesday, August 2, 1916:
More Homes Entered By Unknown Burglar
Lack of Detecting Facilities Makes Crime Perfectly Safe
The home of Harry Cooper, 120 Washington street, was entered by an unknown burglar who effected an entrance by means of the bathroom window. A gold watch, a $5 gold piece, the Espee traffic office keys of Mr. Cooper’s, and a pair of new blue trousers and 400 cigars were the loot taken.
The burglar made his visit about 12:30 o’clock. More plunder might have been taken but Mr. and Mrs. Cooper were roused and the burglar was frightened away.
The home of Sara Hughes directly opposite was also entered and five suits of clothes belonging to Bob Squires were taken. A new suit case and from $4 to $6 in silver was also taken.
It is believed by officers that the robberies have all been committed by one or two men. The fact that there is no detective at present on the force makes it very hard to do anything on the case. Sheriff Forbes’ deputies are watching the city for suspicious characters.
What, exactly, does a "suspicious character" look like?
It was reported the same day that a miner was missing in the desert. It had been long enough that it was doubtful he was alive, but of course, people looked for him nonetheless.
FEAR MINING MAN PERISHED ON THE DESERT
John Schner Disappeared Over Ten Days Ago and Searching Parties Fail to Find Trace of Him; Search Continues
More than ten days ago, a mining man whose name was said to be John Schner, disappeared while on a protecting trip beyond Sasco, near the Pima-Pinal line, and Sheriff Forbes yesterday expressed the belief that, since all efforts to locate the man had failed, Schner wandered into the desert and perished.
The sheriff yesterday tried to verify the correctness of the name, Schner, given by a Mexican who accompanied the mining man on the prospecting trip. He is said to be fairly well known among mining men, particularly in Mexico, where he spent most of his time.
Sheriff Forbes also communicated with Sheriff Hall of Pinal county, asking that a search be made in that county, it being thought possible that the man had wandered into that county. The sheriff admitted that, so much time having elapsed without the man making his whereabouts known, he feared Schner had died on the desert.
Schooner, which was the way his Mexican companion spelled the American’s name, left from the ranch of E. Aguirre, below Sasco, over town days ago for the purpose of inspecting a mining claim near the Pima-Pinal line. According to the story the Mexican told upon returning to Aguirre’s ranch, he left Schner in search of a water hole and when he returned to the spot where they had parted, the American had disappeared, taking with him a hand grip and other personal belongings.
Schner and the Mexican, whose name is Alejandro Palma, when they left Aguirre’s ranch, went toward a place where they thought they would find water but apparently took the wrong direction and missed it, so Schner directed Palma to take the team which they were driving, to another place, where Schner thought water would be found. Palma did as he was directed and located water, but when he returned to the place where he had left Schner the latter had disappeared.
Palma returned to Aguirre’s ranch after failing to find Schner and from that place several searching parties were sent out and the entire vicinity scoured, but without finding trace of the missing man.
When all efforts failed, Aguirre reported the man’s disappearance to Sheriff Forbes, who has now taken up the search.
The name of the missing man was corrected in the follow-up story the next day. Read tomorrow for more.
Now for the more difficult story of the day:
NO OWNER FOUND FOR HUMAN HAND TAKEN FROM CAR
Arrival of Body of Construction Foreman from Lordsburg, Will Clear Up Mystery; Hand Resembles a Woman’s
When Inspector Cull, at Benson, early yesterday morning, flashed his light on the forward trucks of the baggage car of Southern Pacific train No. 101, westbound, a human had was thrust from under the car. Up to midnight last night the combined efforts of Coroner Comstock and Southern Pacific officers have been unable to find the owner of the hand or the identity of the owner.
As the gruesome evidence of a tragedy, Coroner Comstock is holding his his possession, contained in a bucket, the right hand and forward of a human being, and the skin from the right side of a torso, from the thigh to the top of the head. A portion of the scalp, covered by sandy-colored hair, and the right ear, stripped from the skull, may aid in identifying the owner of the remnants of a human being.
That the original owner of tis hand, forearm, and ear was a woman, was the belief of the coroner after he had examined the bits of flesh, and the county physician, Dr. Pratt, agreed that the hand resembled that of a woman. the fact that the skin from the palm of the right had bore no callouses seemed to support this theory.
After the Southern Pacific train crew at Benson had responded to Inspector Cull’s alarm, and removed the human fragments from the truck of the baggage car, and brought them to Tucson in a bucket to turn them over to Coroner Comstock, it was learned that Grading Foreman Johnson, of the Pacheco Construction company, had been killed early yesterday morning at Mongolia, a short distance this side of Lordsburg, and it was thought that the hand and other human debris recovered might be from his body, but last evening Coroner Comstock expressed the belief that there had been two tragedies and the fragments of flesh in his possession were from the body not yet found.
Whether or not this is true, will be learned when the body of Johnson arrived in Tucson. The coroner was informed last evening that the remains of Johnson had been forwarded to Tucson but at midnight he had not been advised as to when they would arrive.
P. J. Smith, who knew Johnson, told the coroner that he was confident the had and other fragments were not from the body of Johnson. On the other hand, J. M. Pacheco, the employer of Johnson, when shown hair scraped from the trucks of the car from which the hand and skin were taken, unhesitatingly declared that they were from the body of his employee.
Southern Pacific Special Officer Kelly left late yesterday morning for Lordsburg to investigate but he had not been heard from last evening.
The theory was expressed by officers yesterday that an eastbound train had run over a man and that the body was picked up from the track by the westbound passenger train and drug along the track, wrenching the right hand and forearm from the body and tearing the skin from the body. Attached to the skin from the right side was a piece of rib.
The fact that the flesh fragments were not discovered when the passenger train was inspected at Bowie yesterday morning, it is pointed out, does not fit in with the theory that the fragments belong to the body of Johnson, who was killed in New Mexico. On the other hand, no trace of the body of a second victim was found on the Southern Pacific right-of-way.
Coroner Comstock said last night that the arrival of Johnson’s body would clear up the mystery. If the right hand and other parts of the body were missing and if they correspond with the ones found, it will have been proven that they are from Johnson’s body, but last night there were a number of indications that there had been two fatal accidents on the right-of-way.
Johnson had been an employe of Pacheco for several years and was regarded as an industrious and capable man. He has a sister at Minneapolis and no arrangements for Johnson’s funeral will be made until she has been heard from.
A follow-up article appeared the next day, and it also appears her tomorrow.
- Johanna Eubank
The articles that ran in the paper 100 years ago today were all follow-up articles to the ones presented yesterday.
This includes the story of the body parts, though this is milder. We still recommend discretion.
From the Arizona Daily Star, Thursday, August 3, 1916:
5 MEXICANS HELD AS BURGLARY SUSPECTS
Rincon Apartments and Barber Shop Ransacked; Jewelry Stolen
Five Mexicans suspected of being members of a gang implicated in the recent burglaries were arrested yesterday afternoon by Sheriff Forbes and deputies, on Meyer street. They are being held in the county jail for a complete investigation.
The capture of the five men followed the burglarizing of several apartments at the Rincon yesterday morning.
Threw Clothing Away.
The fact that the burglars who ransacked several apartments at the Rincon, threw away articles of clothing shortly after leaving the place, was considered by officers as indicating that the burglars were not of the ordinary tramp type. Other loot taken comprised two watches, from the apartments of Jack Bowles and Frank Gillingham respectively, and several smaller articles of jewelry, such as stick pins.
The robbery of the Rincon occurred ab out 5:30 o’clock yesterday morning. At that time a man was seen leaving the apartment of F. A. Reynolds, by Jack Bowles, who also has apartments there. Bowles first thought it was Reynolds but when he called the stranger did not answer but hurried away.
The clothing taken from the three Rincon apartments was thrown into the back yard of the home of J. C. McClure, on North Seventh avenue, about a block away and was discovered later in the morning by Mr. McClure, who telephoned the police department. The clothing was taken to the station and later identified by Messrs. Reynolds, Gillingham and Bowles.
Barber Shop Robbed.
Between 7 and 8 o;clock yesterday morning the barber shop of A. Acuna, on South Main street, was robbed of four razors, four pairs of clippers, several pairs of scissors and $8.65 in money, the latter being taken from a trunk. The robbery occurred while Acuna was at breakfast. Two suspects are being sought by officers.
The missing miner's name had been corrected in time for this edition.
Search for Sheerer Still Without Result
Officers Learn Mining Man Was Ill Shortly Before Disappearance
John Sheerer, the mining man who disappeared while on a prospecting trip near the Pima-Pinal county line, over ten days ago, left the Arizona hospital, where he had been ill, on June 17, it was learned by Sheriff Forbes yesterday. It is feared that the weakness of convalescence may have contributed to his collapse on the desert.
Sheriff Hall, of Pinal county, is also conducting a search for Sheerer but up to last night Sheriff Forbes had received no news from the Pinal officer.
Mrs. Joe Andrade, a northside resident, was interested yesterday in The Star’s story of Sheerer’s disappearance, for she had been conducting negotiations with Sheerer prior to his departure on the prospecting trip, for the sale to him of a mining claim which she owns jointly with a Mrs. Barnes. Sheerer had looked at the property and had informed Mrs. Andrade that he would purchase her interest in the claim and the deal was to have been closed upon Sheerer’s return from the prospecting trip south of E. Aguirre’s ranch.
Sheerer, which is the name on the records of the Arizona hospital, is described as of stocky build, having black hair, dark eyes and a black mustache. He was 5 feet, 8 inches in height and weighed 175 pounds.
Lastly, the hand and other body fragments were identified as that of Mr. Johnson, so worries of a second death were unfounded.
Human Hand Found On Train was Johnson’s
Identity Established by Brother; Body sent to Minnesota for Burial
The human hands, forearm, ear and other fragments of flesh which were taken from the forward trucks of the baggage car of Southern Pacific westbound train No. 101 at Benson Tuesday morning and brought to Tucson, were identified yesterday as being a part of the body of A. H. Johnson, foreman of a construction gang of the Pacheco Construction Co., by a brother of the dead man’s.
The body of Johnson was not brought to Tucson, as had been reported it would be, and the hand and other parts of the body which were brought here pending the establishing of their identity, were sent yesterday to Deming, New Mexico, where the inquest was held and from which place the body will be sent to Minnesota for interment. A sister resides in that state.
The establishing of the identity of the hand and other parts as being from the body of Johnson, disproved the theory held by some that they were from a woman’s body and there there had been two fatal accidents instead of one, but it was learned that Johnson was very slight in build, accounting for the latter theory.
- Johanna Eubank
A special court term had been set for trying bootlegging cases, and a special jury was empaneled for those cases as well. One can only imagine the jurors were happy to be on their way when this was over, but the judge involved offered high praise for their service.
From the Arizona Daily Star, Friday, August 4, 1916:
SUPERIOR COURT JURY GIVEN PRAISE
Sets Example for Entire State, Asserts Judge W. F. Cooper
High praise was given members of the jury panel of the superior court yesterday by Judge Cooper when he excused them from further service, after a two weeks’ term of court for the special purpose of trying bootlegging cases.
Judge Cooper stated that in his long service as district attorney and judge he had never known a jury to be more attentive to their duties or to be actuated by higher ideals of citizenship than the present jury.
He stated that from answers given by jurymen, a great many did not believe in the present prohibitory law, but in spite of this fact they had brought in verdicts of guilty in accord with the law and the evidence.
“If I could give the members of the jury any higher praise than I have I certainly would do so,” Judge Cooper said in closing. He declared that the work of the present jury would not only be an example to juries in the future in Tucson, but would be watched all over the state.
How can a ferry work when the river flows one day and is practically empty the next? Read on:
NOVEL DEVICE FOR GIVING AUTOS LIFT
County Maintains Ferry on Wheels at Santa Cruz Crossing
A wagon with a hinged end platform that can be raised and lowered is the novel device of County Engineer Goetz for helping autos across the Santa Cruz river at the St. Mary’s road without having their engines “killed” by the high water.
According to the plan of Engineer Goetz, the rear platform of the wagon is lowered with the end touching the ground. The auto is driven up the platform so that the front wheels are off the ground, and then a lever is pulled, raising the platform and the wheels about a foot from the grounds. The auto is then pulled across, this keeping the engine out of the water. Then the platform is lowered and the car backed off.
Another innovation is the keeping of a buggy at the St. Mary’s crossing to carry foot passengers across the ford so they will not get their feet wet.
The water in both the Santa Cruz and the Rillito has fallen rapidly and there is no need for a team at the St. Mary’s crossing, but a team is still being kept at the Rillito crossing.
It is a given that whenever two things collide, the bigger one almost always wins.
FORD CAR RAMMED BY LARGER MACHINE
Little Craft Trying to Escape, Collides With Light Post
Considerable damage was done to a Ford delivery car of the Brooks Bakery when it was run into by a large Michigan car said to belong to the Cuauhtemoc Film company at the corner of Sixth avenue and Congress street, yesterday afternoon at 3:30 o’clock.
According to J. P. Jackson, driver of the bakery car, he was proceeding east on Congress when the Michigan car came south on Sixth. Jackson states that he thought that the driver of the other car gave him a signal to proceed and as he had the right of way anyhow he went ahead. The driver of the Michigan, who was intending to turn east on Congress, then put on more speed and made the turn Jackson says.
Jackson’s car was struck on the side and in order to keep from being overturned steered sharply to the right, running into the ornamental light post at the corner. A large globe was shattered and the car damaged to the extent of about $50. Nobody was hurt.
- Johanna Eubank
The mysterious disappearance of a woman, reported by her husband in July, was finally cleared up. However, a few questions remained, and it is unlikely we will ever get the answers.
From the Arizona Daily Star, Saturday, August 5, 1916:
MC’COY FINDS WIFE BUT BABY IS MYTH
Tucson Woman Who Disappeared Recently Causes Arrest of Los Angeles M. D.
George McCoy, formerly of this city, who came hurriedly to Tucson from Ajo, several weeks ago after receiving a telegram that excited his suspicions as to the safety of his wife, and whose efforts here, seconded by the police, to find Mrs. McCoy were fruitless, has at last found his wife, according to Los Angeles newspapers.
McCoy had gone from Tucson to Ajo to get employment. He succeeded and wire his wife to join him, but the answer that he got was a telegram from another person, a woman whom he did not know and whom the police proved to be a fictitious personage, advising him to cease bothering his wife, saying that she was in a delicate condition and warning him that his insistent letters to her would have a harmful effect.
The telegram aroused McCoy’s suspicions and he took the first train to Tucson, where he showed the wire to the police and asked them to aid him in finding his wife, who was not at the place where they had lived before he went to Ajo. Efforts to find her were futile and after several days McCoy left the city, prosecuting the search for his wife, to whom he appeared greatly attached, alone.
McCoy’s anxiety to find his wife was aggravated by the thought that his wife was to become a mother, which she had, it seems, confided to him. Against the happening of this event, McCoy had sent to his home, in the east, for certain tiny articles of clothing that were heirlooms in his family.
The subsequent development in the disappearance of Mrs. McCoy are related by Los Angeles newspapers, which say, in substance, that a Los Angeles physician, Dr. S. A. Austin, has been arrested charged with filing a false certificate of birth for Mrs. McCoy, the charge being made by the superintendent of a hospital at San Bernardino, who said that Mrs. McCoy had confessed to her that the child named in the certificate had been adopted by her and was not born to her.
According to the superintendent’s story, Mrs. McCoy went to her the later part of July, shortly after her disappearance from Tucson, and asked her to find a baby for her to adopt, but she could find none. The next she heard from Mrs. McCoy, her story says, was a telegram from Los Angeles announcing that a child had been born to her, and a few days later she arrived at the San Bernardino hospital with a new-born baby.
Where McCoy himself had been in the meantime, is not stated in coast newspapers, but it is said that when Mrs. McCoy arrived at the hospital with the babe, the superintendent notified Mr. McCoy, who, it seems, also became suspicious. At that point the woman confessed, it is said, that the child was not hers. Later Dr. Austin was arrested charged with filing a false birth certificate.
It is said by Los Angeles newspapers that McCoy and his wife had left Los Angeles and it was believed that they went to New Mexico.
Officers here express the belief that Mrs. McCoy’s object in attempting to deceive her husband was that she wished to spare him the disappointment of wrecked hopes of fatherhood. Both are well known here, where they formerly resided.
- Johanna Eubank
It is sad to say that stories of crime and other conflicts are the main news reported in any newspaper. While that may help people to be safer, some days bad news is the only news.
Burglaries and the arrests of some suspected in a string of burglaries made the news in the Arizona Daily Star, August 6, 1916:
CHINESE GROCERY IS ENTERED; $20 STOLEN
That burglars are still active in Tucson, notwithstanding the efforts of sheriff Forbes and Chief Cullen to rid the city of bad characters, is evident from two robberies yesterday evening.
Thieves entered the grocery store of Lem Goon, on North Sixth avenue near Toole, taking $20 from a trunk. They entered the back door by means of a skeleton key. No trace of the robbers was discovered.
A suitcase was stolen from a passenger at the Espee depot. He went to get a lunch, leaving the grip in the waiting room. While he was gone someone stole the suitcase and made his getaway.
BURGLARY SUSPECTS HELD—The five Mexicans who were arrested several days ago on South Meyer street suspected of committing a number of burglaries in the city, are being held on the charge of vagrancy but it is possible that more serious charges will be made against them in connection with crimes committed in other cities. There past records are being investigated. Officers comment on the fact that since the arrest of the men no burglaries have been reported but no evidence has so far been obtained to connect any of the men with the recent burglaries.
In other news, gunfire in Pinal County wounded a young lady from Tucson and the story is a bit confusing.
MEXICAN WOMAN IS MORTALLY WOUNDED
Two Men Also Shot in Same Fight at Sasco, Pinal County
The victim, it is believed, of a jealous lover, Josefina Finley, a Mexican girl about 20 years of age, of 141 West Alameda street, lies mortally wounded at St. Mary’s hospital and sheriff’s officers of two counties, Pima and Pinal, are looking for her assailant.
The girl was wounded by a bullet in the left temple at Sasco about 6 o’clock yesterday morning, fired by an unknown person, and was brought to Tucson and taken to her home on West Alameda street. Later she was taken to the hospital.
The bullet entered the left temple and lodged above the right eye. Wonder was expressed at the vitality of the girl since the wound is thought to be fatal. Reports from the hospital late last night said that she was still living and conscious at times.
Sheriff Forbes’ first intimation that there had been a tragedy at Sasco, which is in Pinal county, came from Dr. Gotthelf, who reported that he had been called to attend a woman at 141 West Alameda street who was apparently mortally wounded. Deputy Sheriff Ezekials made an investigation and at the girl’s home took into custody a Mexican who gave the name of Juan Mesquite, to be held as a witness.
From Mesquite and from several other witnesses who are being held, the outlines of the tragedy were obtained and confirmatory advices were received by Sheriff Forbes from Sheriff Hall of Pinal county, who was at Sasco investigating the shooting.
According to stories told by witnesses, Josefina Finley went to Sasco several days ago to visit friends. Witnesses referred to the place where she was staying as a “public place.” Friday night Julio Beltran was with her at this place when four men knocked at the door and demanded admission. They were admitted and raised a “rough house,” being drunk, but were subsequently prevailed upon to leave. As they were departing and Josefina Finley was at the door closing it, one of the four men fired three shots into the door, the third inflicting a bullet wound in the left temple of the Finley girl.
None of the witnesses informally examined yesterday by county authorities could give the names of these four men, one of whom, apparently is the assailant of the Tucson girl.
The Finley girl was brought to Tucson in the automobile of Francisco Valenzuela, accompanied by Julio Beltran, Juan Mesquite and another woman. Their statements were taken yesterday. The four men who invaded the house were drunk, these said. Officers are continuing the investigation in Pima county while Pima and Pinal deputies are looking for others who might be involved in the case.
Advices from Sheriff Hall said that two men were also shot at the same time but no evidence of this was obtained by Pima county officers. The four men who are believed to have started the trouble are said to be miners from Silverbell, who went to Sasco Friday night to carouse after having been paid off at Silverbell.
County Attorney Richardson of Pinal county will arrive in the city this morning to investigate the Pima county end of the shooting.
More on this story is coming.
- Johanna Eubank
The city council and acting mayor made plans for changes in the police and fire department, placing them under civil service rules. The council discussed a number of topics and referred many to committees.
From the Arizona Daily Star, Tuesday, August 8, 1916:
ACTING MAYOR HAS PLAN TO REDEEM POLICE DEPARTMENT
With Fire Department, It Will Be Put Under Civil Service Rules to Be Drawn Up by City Council Committee
An announcement by Acting Mayor Bernard that steps would be taken immediately to put the police and fire departments under civil service rules, was made at the meeting of the city council yesterday evening. In accordance with the notice, he appointed a committee consisting of Councilmen Hohusen, Litt, Parker and Sullinger to draw up a set of rules and regulations under which examinations for firemen and policemen will be held. It is to be presented to the council before January 1.
Mayor Bernard in making the announcement declared that by taking this step Tucson would put its police department on a high plane of efficiency similar to other cities in the United States that had adopted the civil service plan. The announcement was received with enthusiasm by the councilmen present.
A committee for examining and licensing chauffeurs was appointed as follows: Warren Grosetta, Shad Bowyer, Diego Valencia, H. L. Turner. The usual appointments were made for the coming month.
Three resolutions, No. 459, 460 and 461, for improving part of Second street and Eighth avenue in the old cemetery were passed. The parking will be 20 feet wide and the roadway 33 feet.
Resolution 458 giving a quit claim deed to Louis Aguirre for Lot 1, Block 258 was passed.
The request of Walter Wakefield to erect wagon scales and a tower for crude oil on Seventh street and Sixth avenue was referred to the street committee with power to act.
The report of the special committee in regard to an alley between Feldman’s and Buell’s additions was adopted. It directed that an obstructing fence complained against be torn down.
The annual budget was adopted and the city attorney directed to fix the annual tax levy.
Several protests against Sunday closing of stores were received signed by merchants in the west part of the city. It was referred to the police committee.
A protest against the erection of four tanks by the Standard Oil company at Fourth street and Eleventh avenue was received. It was declared that they were for gasoline and dangerous explosives. It was referred to the building and land committee.
Wants New Milk Law.
Attorney John B. Wright appeared before the council with an amended milk ordinance which he stated was more fair to the dairymen in taking tests than the present ordinance. It was referred to the health committee.
A request for permission to install a telephone in the triangular park at Toole and Fifth by auto drivers was referred to the street committee with power to act.
A request to build a garage at Second and Euclid, by J. A. Rogers, and a request to build a cottage at 830 East Fifth street, by Mrs. Kate B. Reynolds, were referred to the building and land committee.
The Pima county Republican committee asked permission to string a banner across Church street at Pennington. It was referred to the street committee. The request of Otto Haeber to change his auto stand from west to East Pennington was referred to the same committee. A petition for a new water main on Granada street to St. Mary’s road, with a fire plug, was referred to the fire committee.
Anti-Gambling Ordinance.
Although it had been rumored that the council would consider and pass a resolution directed against gambling in the city, no such resolution came up. It is understood, however, that such a resolution has been prepared and has been submitted privately to the councilmen.
The shooting in Sasco that injured a young woman was investigated more thoroughly and it was revealed that the victim had possibly named her assailant.
FINLEY GIRL GIVES NAME OF HER ASSAILANT
Delayed Account of Shooting at Sasco Says Two Bystanders Were Wounded in Duel Between Yaqui and Officer
Yesterday Josefina Finley, shot at Sasco Saturday morning, whispered to Coroner Comstock the name of her assailant. At the time her mind was apparently clear and the name that she gave was the same that she had given to the coroner Saturday.
Notwithstanding the accusation of the Finley woman, officers here are not convinced that the man whose name was given to the coroner by the wounded girl is the assailant. According to advices from Pinal county yesterday, Sheriff Hall has arrested a Yaqui Indian, Pablo Aranda, who will be charged with the shooting. Four other men known to have been at the house where the shooting occurred, are still at large.
The man whom Josefina Finley accuses is still at large but Pima county officers are looking for him. He is well known to them and if he should come out of hiding he will be arrested.
The Finley woman is still holding her own at St. Mary’s hospital, where her wound is being treated.
An account of the shooting at Sasco, giving the details for the first time, was received by The Star yesterday. It is as follows:
“During this night, there had been an exceptionally large amount of liquor drank with many men and women more or less drunk. Also to add to the debauchery of the occasion, several women of the underworld came in from Tucson and assisted in the gaity.
“In the hotel or rooming house, kept by a woman by the name of Lydia O’Brien, there were staying two women by the name of Josefina Finley and Juanna Madero. The Finley woman had a lover by the name of Julio Beltran who was in her room at the time of the shooting. During the evening there had come to this boarding house several Mexicans armed with pistols and some of them had displayed their weapons openly in front of the rooming house.
“After a night of drinking five of these men, all with pistols, came back to the hotel, presumably to get revenge on the man inside the room of the Finley woman. Just as soon as she saw them coming, she shut the door and locked it and told Beltran to keep out of sight, which he proceeded to do, crawling under the bed. While she was at the door, one of the men outside pulled a gun and began shooting at the door of the house. One of the bullets struck the wall of the house and the other two entered the door, one of which struck the Finley woman in the temple above the left eye and entered the skull, lodging just behind the eye. After this third and last shot, the men ran, two going toward Tucson, one toward Red Rock and two toward the smelter.
“Just about this time, another Mexican came on the scene with a gun, one Francisco Valenzuela, and was making it a point to take the part of the Finley woman, though it seems that he kept his gun to himself and would not give same to Beltran. Valenzuela was in the next room to the Finley woman with the Madero woman at the time of the shooting.
Within a few minutes after the first shot, Sheriff Hall arrived on the scene and went to arrest Pablo Aranda one of the five trouble-makers, said to be a Yaqui, but he started to run when the sheriff told him to halt. He failed to obey and the sheriff started in to shoot to frighten him. He then turned on the sheriff and began to shoot. Then ensued a duel between the two without result other than the wounding of a laborer in a nearby house by a bullet from the gun of the Yaqui. By this time the sheriff and the Yaqui were in the road below the Mexican colony and three of the balls from the gun of the Indian struck the house of Ignacio Ybarra, who was eating breakfast at the time. Just as soon as he heard the shots and as he arose from the table and went to look, a bullet from a 41-calibre revolver struck the frame of the door and, glancing off, struck Ybarra in the cheek, going to the bone and lodging against the jaw. Two other shots struck the house, very nearly hitting a little child at the table, and a fourth bullet entered a nearby tent. The bullets from the sheriff’s gun all went in the other direction, away from the colony.
“After both the sheriff and the Indian had emptied their guns, the Indian started to run and the sheriff then went for an automobile and with the chauffeur and another helper gave chase after the Indian, who had by this time gained a considerable start. Up to the present time, the Indian had not been apprehended but should be brought in very soon.
“Ignacio Ybarra was taken to the hospital and had his wound dressed and there the physician in charge, Dr. Jumper, extracted the bullet. Very soon after they brought in the Finley woman and the doctor dressed the wound as best he could.”
Three witnesses, Julio Beltran, Juan Mesquite and Francisco Valenzuela, were taken to Florence yesterday to be held for the trial of those who were arrested for the shooting, including the Yaqui Aranza. County Attorney Richardson, of Pinal county, has returned to Florence.
- Johanna Eubank
It should come as no surprise that lightning and high winds caused damage to trees and building 100 years ago as they do today.
If you wish to avoid the sadder news of the past, skip the third article today.
From the Arizona Daily Star, Wednesday, August 9, 1916:
SLIGHT DAMAGE IS DONE BY WINDSTORM
Chinese Store Struck by Lightning; Many Trees Uprooted
Minor damage was done by a severe windstorm, accompanied by rain, which passed through the central part of the city yesterday afternoon about 3:45 o’clock. The wind was accompanied by heavy thunder and lightning and it was followed by a drenching rain.
The store of Lee King and Company, at the corner of Congress and Meyer street, was struck by lightning and the roof badly torn up, the damage being estimated at several hundred dollars. Here the trolley wires were cut down by the bolt of lightning, but were quickly repaired.
A stand of billboards of the Clingan Billposting service on North Sixth Ave., between Pennington and Congress, was blown to the ground during the storm.
Numerous awning were wrecked, among the number being the awning of the Vogue Millinery store on East Congress, and the awning of the Franklin and Heighton Real Estate agency on West Congress.
A window in the Women’s Exchange was broken, but the damage to windows was not as heavy as might have been expected from the violence of the storm.
A large umbrella tree in the yard of Sheriff Forbes on East Pennington street was completely uprooted, falling over the fence so that the upper part projected into the street. A tree at the corner of Church and Pennington was also wrecked. Branches and foliage were torn from numerous trees in other parts of the city.
A bicycle officer attached to the police department appeared to have complaints against him, because his contract was given to another officer when it lapsed.
Bicycle Cop Fails to Get Reappointment
Charges Made Against Sullivan but Accusation Not Made Public
Bicycle Officer T. S. Sullivan was not re-appointed to the police force at the meeting Monday evening by Acting Mayor Bernard, and it was stated yesterday that the failure to name Sullivan is the result of charges against him.
The nature of the charges have not yet been made public, and Sullivan stated yesterday evening that he proposed to fight the matter before the police committee and vindicate himself of whatever the charges were.
The effect of the failure to re-appoint Sullivan with charges against him is equivalent to a suspension. Henry Beltran has been named to fill his place, and yesterday evening was on patrol duty.
A young man missing in the desert was found alive, but died shortly after.
Succor Reaches Youth Too Late to Save Life
Ago Boy, Lost on Desert, Found but Death Claims Handicap
A small excavation made in the ground near a clump of grass which he had made in his last frantic search for water, was the clue that led searchers yesterday afternoon to the finding of Frank Sprague, who was lost on the desert Sunday afternoon four miles from Ajo.
Sprague died yesterday evening several hours after being located, according to news received by Sheriff Forbes.
Sprague and a companion Comstock, started from Copper Hill, eighteen miles from Ajo, to go to the latter place Sunday to play ball. They had a leaky canteen with a half gallon of water. Four miles from Ajo their water gave out and Comstock told Sprague that he would go to the top of a hill and try and locate a ranch. He found the Childs ranch, but when he returned with water Sprague could not be found. Comstock went on to Ajo and a band of searchers was formed who searched that evening and Monday without success.
Yesterday a posse of more than a hundred, chiefly national guardsmen, was formed and continued the search until the clue was found. The discovery of Sprague followed later in the afternoon, but all efforts to save his life were in vain.
He was a young man, strong and healthy, and was a miner. His parents are said to reside in Philadelphia.
- Johanna Eubank
Sheriff Forbes, of Pima County, knew an eloping couple when he saw one, especially when the female half was underage.
From the Arizona Daily Star, Thursday, August 10, 1916:
RUNAWAY COUPLE IS DETAINED BY SHERIFF
Sheriff Forbes by clever work “deduced” that Ramon Robles and Edith Dowdy, two young people who arrived last evening, were a runaway couple, and detained them.
Robles, who is a Mexican, stated that he was 21 and that the girl was 16, and that they had run off from Prescott to get married. They were taken to the county jail and questioned. Miss Dowdy, who is an American, has a sister in Tucson.
Sheriff Forbes communicated with Prescott officers and an effort will be made to get the consent of the mother to the marriage. Robles claims that the girl is mistreated at home, and they both are anxious to get married.
The military along the border between the United States and Mexico made plans to conduct a census and make a directory of the legitimate journalists along the border. The was to stop fake stories from being released.
A modern journalist might wonder if there was more to the effort. Journalists from 1916 also may have wondered.
Military Is Making Directory of News Men
Census Being Taken of All Reporters Along International Line
Officers at military headquarters in Arizona at Douglas are compiling a directory of newspaper editors, reporters and correspondents in Arizona towns for the purpose, it is assumed, of ridding the border of the amateur news pest who has been flooding the country with fake stories regarding border occurrences and conditions. Data regarding Tucson news men was obtained last night.
This action follows the recent denunciation by General Funston of the distribution of fake news from border military camps, which has been seconded by every newspaper along the international border. It is intended especially to put a damper on the amateur correspondent representing “back east” newspapers who are members of militia units, but from the fact that a census of all newspaper men along the border is being made it is evident that efficient censorship regulations to meet any contingency are being framed.
- Johanna Eubank
A new city charter was proposed by the acting mayor of Tucson. The last charter had been drawn up in 1883, and the acting mayor believed the city had outgrown it.
From the Arizona Daily Star, Friday, August 11, 1916:
NEW CITY CHARTER URGED BY BERNARD
May Call Election to Choose Freeholders to Draw Up Law
A movement for the formulation of a new charter for the city of Tucson is being initiated by Acting Mayor Bernard and other city officials who believe that the city has outgrown the present charter, which was put into effect in 1883.
This far the matter is merely in the preliminary stages and there is nothing definite concerning the changes which would be made in the proposed instrument. There is a general feeling however, that the old charter has become obsolete and is a hindrance to the growth of the city, and that it is high time that a new and up-to-date charter be put into effect.
The general plan by which a city of more than 3500 inhabitants can initiate a new charter is described in the Arizona Civil statutes, Sec. 2033, page 706, 1913. According to the plan, a board of freeholders consisting of fourteen members may be elected at a general or special election to prepare and propose a charter for the city within 90 days after the election.
The proposed charter must be signed by a majority of the members, one copy being filed with the chief executive officer and another with the county recorder. It must be published for 21 consecutive days, and within 30 days and not earlier than 20 days must be submitted to a vote of the qualified electors of the city for their approval or disapproval.
If it is approved by a majority of the voters at the election it is then submitted to the governor, who is to sign it if it does not conflict with the laws of the state. It then becomes the organic law of the city and supersedes any charter before existing and all ordinances inconsistent with it.
An election may be called by the legislative body of the city, or may be initiated by petition with the signatures of 25 per cent of the voters in the last general municipal election. The election for freeholders must be held not later than 30 days after the call.
Tucsonans were looking forward to the Southern Arizona fair in October. The committee teased readers with some event possibilities.
FAIR DISCUSSED AT INFORMAL MEETING
Marathon, Auto Races and Motorcycle Race are Probable Events
At an informal meeting held yesterday evening at the Tucson chamber of commerce, plans for the coming session of the Southern Arizona fair were discussed. The fair will be held October 20, 21 and 22, a week after the Safford fair and a month prior to the state fair. These dates will fall on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Nothing definite was decided upon yesterday, but the discussions centered on the details of the program of sports. A fifty-mile auto race and a novelty race for small cars were talked of. These races will probably be held on separate days of the fair.
The San Xavier marathon is a strong probability as an attraction, but it will probably not be run from the Mission as before, but will run on the half mile track before the spectators in the grandstand. The present indications are that a field of at least 20 entrants will be in the race to take Bill Ahrens’ title of Southwestern champion away from him. The marathon is talked of for the first day.
A motorcycle race to be run on the five mile track at the same time that the marathon is being run on the other track is another probable event. This event is in high favor with the promoters of the fair.
A whole day devoted to a program of “wild west” events is another popular idea. This may be arranged for the closing day of the fair.
In addition to these, there will be the usual horse races and other attractions. The exhibits will be specially attractive the present season, as efforts are being made to co-operate with the other fairs in this matter.
Among those at the meeting were President Sam Barkley, Secretary Myers, Vice President Jack Ryland, Fred Ronstadt, J. W. Estill, Shad Bowyer and many others.
The Arizona State Federation of Labor held its convention in Tucson. Prohibition was a major topic of discussion.
COMPENSATION LAW OPPOSED BY LABORITES
Letter Read from Brewery Workers Attacking Prohibition; Convention Limits Tenure of Office to Two Years
By a unanimous vote the Arizona State Federation of Labor convention disapproved of the proposed initiated workmen’s compensation law already filed with the secretary of state to be voted on at the fall election.
Speakers declared that the present law was bad, but that the proposed law would be worse, and the resolution urging the use of the resources of the federation for its defeat was unanimously passed.
A bitter attack on prohibition was contained in a communication to the federation from the Brewery Workers union of Cincinnati, which was read in the convention yesterday afternoon. The letter was accompanied by a statement of opinion strongly adverse to prohibition made public recently by Samuel Gompers, president of the American Federation of Labor.
Several delegates objected to the reading of the communication on the ground that, according to a recent resolution passed by the federation, all matters concerned with prohibition were barred. President Wilkinson, however, ruled that the matter as a communication had the right to be read.
A motion requesting clemency for Tally, a murderer condemned to death at Miami, was passed but delegates favoring the resolution disclaimed any purpose of bringing up the subject of capital punishment.
Following the afternoon session the delegates were taken on a motorcade to the San Xavier Mission in 25 machines furnished by the Tucson chamber of commerce. Secretary Myers and his assistant, Roy B. Leach, had charge of the arrangements for the motorcade.
At the morning session a warm fight developed over the report of the committee recommending a resolution to limit the term of office of officers of the state federation to two years. After a long debate the proposition was adopted by a vote of 99 to 14.
Delegate H. S. McCluskey, of the Miners Union of Miami, led the fight against the report of the committee. He has just returned from the convention of the Western Federation of Miners at Great Falls, Mont. He opposed the limit of two years on the ground of efficiency, claiming that officers who had become experienced should not be displaced by inexperienced men.
The position of Delegate McCluskey was strongly opposed by numerous delegates, among them President Wilkinson. Delegate Shea of Globe also favored the two year limit.
The convention by a vote of 78 to 23 approved a resolution that not more than one member of each craft shall sit on the executive board.
Thomas H. Adams of Phoenix, delegate from the theatrical employees union of that city, was excused from further attendance on the convention as he left yesterday evening for Baltimore to attend a national convention.
- Johanna Eubank
The president of the fair association spoke to the Tucson Luncheon club and garnered more support for the fair. Financially, the fair was solid; now the cub would help raise enthusiasm.
From the Arizona Daily Star, Saturday, August 12, 1916:
LUNCHEON CLUB GETS BEHIND SO. ARIZ. FAIR
No Financial Troubles to Mar Success of 1916 Show, President Sam Barkley Says Speakers Boost Fair
Plans for the coming Southern Arizona fair, October 20, 21 and 22, were discussed at the meeting of the Tucson Luncheon club yesterday at the Santa Rita hotel.
President Sam Barkley, of the fair association, prefaced his talk about the fair by telling the lunchers of the prosperous condition of the state as ascertained by him on his recent trips about the state.
“A fourth of the copper of the world is being produced in Arizona at present,” he said was information he had learned in the mining towns, which were in the most prosperous financial condition now ever known.
He stated that although the first state lands had been sold at their appraisement figures without one bidder, now there were numerous bidders for the various tracts offered.
He outlined briefly the plans for the coming fair, stating that the financial problems had all been settled and that a first-class program of events would be arranged and asked for the support and co-operation of everyone.
No financial aid would be asked of anyone, President Barkley declared, but the hearty support and good will of every member of the Luncheon club was desired.
In reference to Tucson Mr. Barkley stated that City Manager Clark had told him that the public improvements, unless halted by some unforeseen event, would amount to $1,000,000 for the present year.
Charles Solomon, president of the Arizona National bank, made a short talk, boosting the fair, and Prof. Morse told of the farming exhibits.
“We must educated the farmer,” he said, “to put up his products suitable for the demands of the market. It is not the right thing to offer prizes for the biggest watermelon, the biggest pumpkin and the biggest potato, but uniform products.”
Prof. Williams, of the University of Arizona, spoke briefly of the great aid to local stock raisers in the fair.
B. T. Wilkinson, president of the Arizona State Federation of Labor, now in session, was introduced by Justice O. E. Comstock and spoke briefly, thanking the chamber of commerce for the many courtesies offered the visiting delegates.
F. O. Bristol, a prominent insurance agent of the Pacific coast, was introduced by Harry Drachman.
Superintendent Harold Steele, of the Tucson public schools, was introduced by Harry Drachman and praised the Tucson Spirit of good fellowship which he had found on his return from the east. He promised to bring some educational problems before the Luncheon club during the coming year.
That the rising generation is coming to the front in the Luncheon club was evidenced yesterday by the introduction of John Haynes, a Tucson young man who recently graduated form the Southern California Law School. He made a brief talk, which me with much applause, and told a good lawyer yarn.
Mr. Rosemond, of St. Louis, was introduced by Henry Jaasted.
In other news, a man accused of stealing a bicycle frame was cleared by the presence of grains of sand on the frame. He was also helped by his wife's testimony and that of other witnesses.
Few Grains of Sand Decisive Evidence
Save Domingo Castro from Serving Term in Jail for Theft
The presence of a few grains of sand on the frame of a bicycle probably saved Domingo Castro from being sentenced to serve a term in jail for theft. As it was, he was released.
Castro was arrested on the charge of stealing a bicycle frame belonging to Pablo Olivas. Olivas saw it in front of a store in the western part of the city where Castro, who was employed there, had exhibited it as being for sale. Olivas identified it by the number on the frame as being a part of a bicycle which had been stolen from him in front of the Owl drug store three weeks ago. It looked like a clear case against Domingo, but his wife saved the day for him.
Mrs. Castro testified that she had found the bicycle frame in an arroyo on North Fourth avenue shortly after a heavy rain about fifteen days ago and had taken it home with her. Later her shoes needing to be repaired, she told her husband to take the frame down town and sell it for sixty cents. Her husband did, and was arrested.
The justice yesterday, acting on a practical hunch of wisdom, examined the disputed piece of property and found on it grains of sand which corresponded to the sand in the arroyo, just as Mrs. Castro said he would. The woman’s story was supported by several other witnesses and Castro was discharged.
- Johanna Eubank
It is important to be precise when sending a message to detain someone arriving on the stage. Otherwise a married man might be mistakenly held for eloping with a young girl.
From the Arizona Daily Star, Sunday, august 13, 1916:
Fates Play Cruel Joke On Silverbell Mexican
Charged With Eloping With Girl When He Was Only Fellow-Passenger
A misunderstood telephone message, the subsequent severance of telephone communication between Tucson and Silverbell Friday afternoon, and the imps of Old Nick himself, combined to play a cruel prank on a respected Mexican citizen of Silverbell. At the sheriff’s office the name of the man was “deleted” from the records, lest the affair become public and cause the man, who is married, embarrassment and possible domestic trouble.
About 5 o’clock a telephone message was received at the sheriff’s office from Deputy Sheriff Bell at Silverbell, asking that an officer intercept the Silverbell stage and remove and hold in custody a young Mexican girl and, as the receiver of the message understood him to say, a man who accompanied her.
An officer was sent to take the couple into custody. They proved to be Eloisa Ayala, a young Mexican girl, perhaps 16 years of age, and a middle-aged Mexican man, who was the butt of the imps’ joke. After they had been taken to the sheriff’s office, an effort was made to get into communication with the deputy at Silverbell and ascertain what charge there was against them, but the telephone line to Silverbell had been put out of commission, and Officer Rube Hopkins was sent in an automobile to learn the circumstances of the case.
When he returned the man was released with profuse apologies, for it was established that he was simply a passenger on the same stage chosen by the girl as a means of making her escape from home. The girl was turned over to Probation Officer Hopley.
In Cochise County, a constable was ambushed as he attempted to apprehend two burglars. Following a gun battle, the officer dragged himself two miles for help.
COCHISE CONSTABLE, WOUNDED, UNHORSED, SLAYS 2 MEXICANS
Plucky Officer Drags Self Mile to Report Ambush By Burglar Suspects—Posse Finds John Bright’s Aim Was Deadly
(SPECIAL TO THE STAR)
COURTLAND, Ariz., Aug. 12.—After his horse had been short from under him by two Mexicans, suspected of having perpetrated a burglary, and he himself had been shot through the hip, Constable John Bright, of Cortland, Cochise county, drawing his gun as he lay prone on the ground beside the body of his horse, killed the two Mexicans this morning at about 10 o’clock two miles from Cortland. Bright will recover. The bodies of the two Mexicans were brought to Cortland.
After emptying his revolver at the Mexicans, who had ambushed him, Bright, not knowing that he had killed his assailants, crawled a distance of two miles on his hands, drawing his wounded leg by sheer force of will, and reported to a ranch house the fact that he had been ambushed by the suspected burglars. A posse of cowboys was quickly formed and went in pursuit of the Mexicans, but they found that John Bright’s aim had been better than he thought, for the bodies of the two men were found near the scene of the ambush.
Bright took up the trail of the suspects early this morning, after the discovery of the burglary, and when about two miles from Cortland they waylaid him, the first volley from their revolvers cutting down the officer’s horse and the second inflicting a painful wound in the right hip of Bright. Lying on the ground, Bright drew his gun and emptied it at the Mexicans, with summary effect, as was later discovered.
Speaking of being precise — as in the first story here — a coroner's jury could have used some lessons on precision in language. The jury's verdict was a bit strange.
Coroner’s Jury Gives Freak Murder Verdict
Find Frederick Morris Died From Wound in His Slayer’s Hand
One of the most strangely worded verdicts ever returned by coroner’s jury in Pima county, was returned yesterday afternoon by a jury of Coroner Comstock’s jurisdiction. The verdict can not be used by the state in the preliminary hearing of a man who is charged with the murder of the subject of the inquisition if the state desired to so do, for it says in effect that the murdered man came to his death from a wound in the hand of the man charged with murdering him.
The inquest was in the matter of the death of Frederick Morris, Santa Rita chef, who was killed by his brother-in-law, William Pearce, several weeks ago, and the jury is believed to have intended to declare that Morris came to his death from a pistol bullet wound, or “gunshot wound” as it is commonly said, inflicted by William Pearce, but what the verdict actually said was that Morris came to his death from “a gunshot (pistol) bullet wound in the hands of one William Pearce.”
The inquest was concluded yesterday after having been taken up and postponed several times. Pearce will be given a preliminary hearing this week, probably Wednesday. The charge of murder has been placed against him. He is defended by Attorney T. K. Richey. It is reported that the alleged finding of an open razor by Morris’ body will be a feature of the defense, though Attorney Richey declined to say what the defense would be.
Does this mean that if the alleged murderer can prove he never had a wound in his hand that he will be acquitted?
- Johanna Eubank
It turns out the pocket flashlight can be a formidable weapon when shined in the face of an armed burglar. This is especially true of the burglar thinks you may be armed with more than the flashlight.
From the Arizona Daily Star, August 15, 1916:
EX-CONVICT, ARMED, CONQUERED BY NERVE
Clarence Barnhardt, With Flashlight and Superior Will, Captures Burglar
Armed with nothing but a pocket flashlight, Clarence Barnhardt, of 225 East Fourth street, conquered Jesus Navarro an ex-convict, who was armed with a six-shooter, Sunday evening. It was a battle of wills and the American won the mastery. Sunday evening about 9 o’clock Barnhardt heard a noise in his back yard and, going to the door, observed a Mexican, who proved to be Navarro, trying to unlock the door of an outhouse in which a quantity of clothing was stored.
Earnhardt surprised the Mexican in the act of trying to enter the house. The Mexican, turning suddenly, made a move toward his hip pocket as if to draw a gun. In a flash Barnhardt realized that he, unarmed, was at the mercy of a man who, for all he knew, might be a desperate criminal who would not hesitate to do murder.
Appreciating his peril, Barnhardt flashed a pocket electric flashlight in the Mexican’s face, keeping it within a few inches of his eyes. The intruder was completely blinded by the glare and for all he knew a gun was covering a vital part of his body down under the glare of the flashlight. His right hand, containing the weapon, was halted as it swung into position, and Barnhardt had won.
Earnhardt called to his wife then to request her to telephone the police to come for the burglar and Officer O’Donnell responded. In the meantime Mrs. Barnhardt had gone to her husband’s aid, knowing that he was unarmed, and she gave her husband a pistol, which he substituted for the flashlight.
After the officer had taken the Mexican away, Barnhardt picked up from the ground where Navarro had stood, a six-shooter, which he had evidently dropped to the ground as he was faced by Barnhardt’s pocket flashlight.
Navarro was turned over to the county authorities yesterday and two charges were put against him, attempted burglary and burglary. No charge of carrying a concealed weapon has yet been made against him.
The charge of burglary resulted from a search of Navarro’s home, where clothing that had been stolen from the outhouse in Barnhardt’s yard last Thursday night, was found. It was identified by the owner by marks on the lining of a coat placed there by a cleaner, which corresponded to marks on a vest belonging to the same suit, which had been overlooked by the thief.
A bootlegger went to jail and his wife was released, at least until she continued her criminal ways.
Partners In Life and Crime Are Reunited
Woman Bootlegger Violates Parole and Joins Husband, Also Bootlegger, In Jail
Charles Phillips and his wife, Hannah Phillips, partners in life and in crime were reunited yesterday when Hannah, the execution of whose sentence for bootlegging had been suspended during good behavior, was sent to jail to join her husband Charles Phillips, who was sent to jail during the recent term of the superior court after he had been found guilty with his wife, of violating the prohibition law.
The revocation of Hannah Phillips’ parole followed her arrest Saturday night after a free-for-all fight at a negro club on South Main street operated by Phillips and his wife. It was the sale of liquor at this place that got Phillips and his wife into trouble in the first instance. Hannah was arrested, together with another negress, Bess Doran, on the charge of disturbing the peace. This charge against the woman club proprietor was dropped after Judge Cooper imposed the suspended sentence in the bootlegging case, which was one year in jail and a fine of $150.
In justice court, Bess Doran was fined $45 and given a jail term of sixty days, but the latter part of her sentence was suspended during good behavior.
When Phillips and his wife were called before Judge Baxter, of Yuma county, then presiding in the Pima superior court, Charles Phillips, nearly 70 years of age, made an eloquent plea for mercy for his wife and as a result the court suspended the execution of the sentence against the woman.
- Johanna Eubank
Some things never change. The Tucson Police Department was in the hot seat when the police committee met.
It must be noted in the following article that Desk Sergeant Sullivan and former Bicycle Patrolman Sullivan are not the same person.
From the Arizona Daily Star, Wednesday, August 16, 1916:
Police Department Will Be Raked Fore And Aft By Council
Widest Publicity Is Promised Findings of Police Committee
The investigation of a number of matters connected with the administration of the police department will be taken up at a meeting of the police committee to be held Thursday afternoon in room 2 of the Postoffice building.
It was stated yesterday that there will be an investigation of the action of Desk Sergeant James Sullivan in releasing Nick Brown, of Phoenix, a United States revenue official, who was arrested by Officer T. S. Sullivan on a charge of bringing liquor into the restricted district. This occurred a number of months ago.
Sergeant Sullivan has stated that the charge against Brown, that of carrying liquor into the restricted district, was not a violation of any city ordinance or state law and has declared that he is responsible for the release of Brown.
This is only one of a number of matters in connection with the police that will be investigated at the meeting Thursday afternoon, Acting Mayor Bernard stated yesterday. He has declined to state the nature of the investigations but has promised that, whatever they are, they will be given the widest publicity.
There are no charges against former Bicycle Patrolman T. S. Sullivan, Acting Mayor Bernard stated yesterday, and his case will not be taken up at all at the investigation. He was dropped from the force at the beginning of the month, but there are no formal charges against him, it is stated.
The following story is faintly reminiscent of a slightly more recent trial in which the fit of a glove was a much-discussed topic.
Claimants of Goods In Case Used As Models
Court Adopts Novel Method of Proving Ownership of Clothing
Both the complaining witness and the defendant were used as models yesterday in the trial of Jesus Navarro, charged with attempted burglary and burglary, while the court was trying to establish ownership of carious articles.
One of the articles alleged to have been stolen by Navarro, who is an ex-convict, was a blue serge coat. On the stand as a witness for the state, the complaining witness, Clarence Barnhardt, claimed the coat as his own, whereupon the county attorney directed that he stand and try on the coat. Donning the coat, he turned to the right and to the left for the inspection of the county attorney and the justice.
It fit perfectly.
Another article alleged to have been stolen by the Mexican was a hat. The defendant claimed it for his own and the court instructed him to place it on his head. Navarro needed a haircut badly but the hat seemed to be a fair fit. It was identified by Barnhardt, however, as being his property.
Navarro took the stand in his own behalf and he was given a long cross examination by he county attorney. He created merriment in the court room when, answering a question regarding the hat, he said he wore a hat No. 6 7-4.
After hearing the evidence, Justice Comstock held the man to the superior court on the two charges under bonds totaling $850. The county attorney vigorously protested, pointing out that a felony was charged in each case and that it was the custom of the court to fix bonds in liquor selling cases, a misdemeanor, at a higher figure. The bonds remained unchanged, however.
In other news, it appeared a lady may have fled a raid, but she left something behind.
Dainty Handkerchief Of Opium Smoker Left Behind In Sudden Flight
Officers Collect Outfit in Raid on Red House During Investigation
When sheriff’s officers raided the Red House, on Meyer street, following an investigation of a burglary there Sunday evening, they found in one of the rooms evidences of a “twosome” opium smoke, evidently suddenly interrupted. The pipe was a tandem, with a stem at each end.
That one of the smokers was a woman was indicated by the fact that a dainty linen handkerchief, heavily embroidered, was stuffed into the opium container. The pipe itself was of the standard oriental type, bamboo cane with an ivory capped opening at each end and in the middle of the cane a Chinese letter bowl. There was every part of the typical joint outfit except the opium scales.
The outfit was collected together with an assortment of bottles of whiskey and taken to the sheriff’s office. No arrests have been made.
The opium smoking outfit will be returned to the owner of it can be discovered to whom it belongs. According to United States Commissioner Jones, a recent decision of the United States supreme court gave a ruling similar in principle to that of the “personal use” ruling in prohibition cases, that opium is not contraband when it is evident that the drug was in the owner’s possession for his “personal use.” Formerly opium in any quantity was seized wherever found by the United States customs authorities.
While officers believe that they know the owner of the outfit, they assert they do not know the owner of the embroidered handkerchief.
- Johanna Eubank
A new fire station would be built, but the question was, where? A park was one of the possibilities.
From the Arizona Daily Star, Thursday, august 17, 1916:
Fire Station Will Be Located in City Park Currently Reported
Would “Beautify” Natural Beauty Spot, Its Advocates Argue
Although the report of the committee to select a site for the new fire station on the north side has not been as yet made public, it is understood that the committee has chosen as a location the city park on the north side between First and Second streets and between Fourth and Fifth avenues.
The new fire station will be located within the park and will face wast, thus fronting on North Fourth avenue. This is thought to be the best street on which to get out of the station on. It is the street the subway is on.
It is the plan to build a Mission style fire station and to surround it with three and shrubbery, thus adding to the beauty of the park instead of allowing the building to detract from the park effects.
With the building of a station on the north side it is believed that the whole department will be motorized and horses done away with entirely. It has been proposed to see the old fire engine and purchase two new triplet motors, carrying hose, engine and chemical apparatus. With the present motor chemical it is believed that this equipment would serve the city for a number of years to come.
The department has $14,000 approximately at its disposal and will get credit for horses and the old fire engine.
This was the day for the police committee meeting, in which a number of items of interest would be discussed including complaints against officers.
Police Department Inquiry Occurs Today
Probe Follows Sergeant’s Letter to Paper Defending Revenue Officer
Police conditions in Tucson will be made the subject of an investigation by the police committee of the city council at a meeting this afternoon at 3 o’clock in room 2 of the postoffice building.
Among other matters to be probed, will be the release of Revenue Officer Nick Brown, of Phoenix, by Sergeant James Sullivan some moths ago after he had been arrested the evening before by Patrolman T. S. Sullivan on a charge of carrying liquor into the restricted district. Sergeant Sullivan has received a summons to appear before the committee and it is probable that other witnesses will be asked to appear.
It is stated that there will be a number of other matters to be brought up at the meeting of the committee and it is promised that publicity will be given to every thing brought out at the meeting.
Sergeant Sullivan’s action in the matter were entirely free and above board. In fact, the manner in which the case became public was from a letter written by the sergeant to a local weekly newspaper protesting against the injustice done to Mr. Brown in an article dealing with the matter.
Wind at a rail yard cased a lantern to blow out at the most inopportune moment.
Like Breath of Cruel Fate, Wind Blew Out Lantern, Yardman Hurt
Impossible to Give Stop Signal, Two Strings of Cars Collide
The sudden snuffing out of his lantern, which made it impossible to give a stop signal to the engineer, is the explanation offered for a collision in the Espee yards yesterday morning at 4 o’clock in which M. P. Stevens, a yardman in the local yards sustained serious injuries to his head and right arm.
According to the investigations of local officials, Stevens was riding on the head car, a boxcar, of a string of eleven cars moving eastward on track No. 9 for coupling with another string of cars.
On approaching the other string, Stevens failed to give the signal to stop and the cars crashed into the waiting string with the result that the head boxcar of the moving string was doubled up by the heavy tank car following it. Stevens in the meantime had walked back to the end of the boxcar and was climbing down the ladder, presumably to give the signal to stop, which he was unable to do when his lantern went out, and was caught between the telescoping cars.
On account of the fact that he was on the ladder, his injuries were not serious and it is probably that this saved him from instant death.
He was rushed to the Arizona hospital and given emergency treatment immediately. It is not believed that his arm will have to be amputated.
Stevens had worked for the company two months. It is said that he has a wife in Texas who expected to join him shortly.
- Johanna Eubank
The forest supervisor reported that the wild hay crop would be a good one in 1916.
From the Arizona Daily Star, Friday, August 18, 1916:
“Wild Hay Crop Will Be Fine”—Johnson
Range Conditions in Southern Arizona Are Good, He Finds
That there will be a large quantity of wild hay cut the present year in the bog valleys in eastern Arizona and western New Mexico, was the statement for Forest Supervisor Don P. Johnson, who returned yesterday from an extended trip in the Chiricahua and Las Animas ranges.
Supervisor Johnson states that the stand of drama grass, the staple wild grass of the southwest, is very excellent in the San Pedro, Sulphur Springs, San Simon and Las Animas valleys. The farmers are planning to cut their crops later int he fall just before the grass ripens when it contains the most nourishment.
Mr. Johnson also stated that the crops of the dry farmers in these valleys were most excellent. He stated that he had never eaten finer watermelons or roasting ears that he had on the present trip.
While in the Chiricahua mountains in company with Forest Ranger William A. Accurst, a brother pf Senator Accurst, a fine bay horse belonging to the latter was bitten on one of the forefeet above the ankle by a rattlesnake.
Prompt work on the part of Johnson and Accurst saved the animal’s life. They tied a tourniquet about the leg to stop the circulation of blood, applied soda and ammonia to the wound after they had lanced it to make it bleed more freely, and then greased the leg to counteract the effects of the ammonia. The animal was also placed in a tank of water to cool his blood. Although the bitten place swelled enormously the treatment was effective. Ranger Accurst has just recently been transferred from the Sitgreaves forest.
The big local news of the day was that the editor of a weekly newspaper in Tucson accused the Tucson police chief of threatening to kill him.
WHARTON PREFERS CHARGES AGAINST POLICE CHIEF CULLEN
“Threatened to Kill Me,” Says Editor of Weekly Newspaper, But Chief Says Charge Is False—Desk Sergeant Suspended 30 Days Without Pay
Charges filed against Chief of Police James Cullen to the effect that he had threatened to kill F. J. Wharton, editor of the Tucson Signal, a weekly publication last Sunday at the Orndorff hotel, were made public at a meeting of the police committee held yesterday afternoon at 3 o’clock in room 2 of the Postoffice building.
The committee, after hearing a statement from Desk Sergeant James Sullivan in reference to the release of Nick Brown, a United States revenue officer, charged with taking liquor into the restricted district, recommended that he be laid off the force for 30 days without pay. Acting Mayor Bernard, Councilmen Hohusen and Grosetta and City Attorney Dunseath were present.
The charges against Chief Cullen were not acted upon by will be taken up later by the city council. Copies of the charges were ordered to be made by the city clerk and transmitted to Chief Cullen. This is the procedure specified by the city charter whenever formal charges are made against an elective officer. It takes a vote of three fourths or five councilmen to remove an elective officer after a hearing on charges filed.
When informed of the charges yesterday afternoon, Chief Cullen declared that they were false and denied that he had ever threatened to kill Wharton.
It was brought out at the meeting of the police committee that Wharton had taken the matter up with County Attorney Hilzinger and that the latter had summoned Chief Cullen and informed him of the charges and that he had denied ever making threats to kill Wharton.
Chief Cullen has stated that his purpose in having an interview with Wharton was to correct statements appearing in the Tucson Signal which he considered unjust to himself and misleading. He has declared that he never had the slightest intention of offering any threats of personal violence to Wharton.
WHARTON’S CHARGES.
The charges filed against Chief Cullen which were read at the meeting are as follows:
“Tucson, Ariz., Aug. 16, 1916.
“To the Mayor and Common Council of the City of Tucson.
“Gentlemen: I desire to make the following report and complaint against James Cullen, chief of police of the City of Tucson, Ariz., under the provisions of the charter of the city pertaining to complaints against elected officers, and for the purpose of receiving your attention.
“On Sunday afternoon of this week at the hour of 1:00 o’clock, James Cullen came to my place of business at the Orndorff hotel and called me to the outside of the door, and on the sidewalk in front of the hotel office. He at that time in an angry and threatening manner made a statement to me which I am repeating as nearly as possible as follows:
“ ‘Wharton, I want to tell you that I am going to be a candidate for the office of city marshall at the coming election, and if I am defeated I intend to kill you. I am too old a man to go to work, and I have no money saved to take care of myself and I do not intend to let you take the bread and butter out of my mouth.’
“While making this statement, Mr. Cullen had his left hand in his hip pocket where I suppose he had his gun. I attempted to pacify him and stated generally that I was not taking any bread and butter out of his mouth, but that I believed it was my duty to call the public’s attention to his inefficiency as a public officer, and his failure to perform his duties as he should perform them. He then stated that he was handicapped by being interfered with in his business by City Recorder Cowan and City Attorney Dunseath. I then stated to him that if I were chief of police I would not permit any person to interfere with my duties, and that if any man was interfering with him it was up to him to make charges against them and have the interference stopped. There was considerable conversation between us at that time, and I was in fear that he would make good his threat to cause me to suffer personal injury, and he might be foolish enough to draw his gun and start shooting at me. Mr. Cullen and myself were the only two persons present at the conversation just recited, but a few moments later my wife came out of the hotel office to get into my machine and we got away from Mr. Cullen without any further trouble or discussion.
“I made these charges with the full knowledge of what it will mean of the charges are not correct and properly stated and request that you make such an investigation as you may deem advisable under the circumstances. As I informed Mr. Cullen, I believe that public officers are subject to criticism for their public actions and a man should not threaten the life and injury of a person who might criticize his official actions.
“I await further action in this matter.
“Respectfully yours,
“F. J. WHARTON.”
The matter of the release of Nick Brown, United States revenue officer, who was arrested buy Officer T. S. Sullivan at night and charged on the blotter with carrying liquor into the restricted district, was taken up first at the committee meeting.
Desk Sergeant James Sullivan was called to make a statement of the matter and also of a letter which he had written to the Tucson Signal accepting all responsibility for the release.
SULLIVAN’S STATEMENT
According to the statement of Sergeant Sullivan, he first saw Brown the morning after the latter’s arrest when he pounded on the door of the cage and asked to be let out near the stove to get warm (it was in November). Sullivan stated that he let Brown come to the fire to warm himself and listened to his story.
Brown stated that he was a government officer and wanted to get evidence against a negro prostitute in the restricted district whom he suspected of selling opium to inmates of the district. He stated that in order to do this he had played drunk and gone to her place and sitting on a trunk had suddenly toppled over on the floor to search a dresser for opium.
He declared that the whiskey found on his person was obtained by him in New Mexico for the purpose of making a test to ascertain as to whether a saloon keeper was not mixing water with his whiskey.
Sullivan declared to the committee that there was no city or state law against “carrying” liquor into the restricted district and he stated that he believed that Brown had been unjustly arrested. He declared that he had full authority to make the release.
City and state statutes were quoted by Acting Mayor Bernard to show that Brown had committed an offense and he then quoted a city ordinance to Sullivan in which it was stated that neither the chief of police or any police officer had any right to release a person arrested without orders form the city recorder.
Sergeant Sullivan then stated that he was acting under orders contained in “Police Rules” which gave the desk officer authority to release or hold a prisoner arrested.
Acting Mayor Bernard then read the rule appealed to, which stated that the booking officer must consult with the arresting officer before releasing the person arrested. When asked if he had done this, Sullivan admitted that he had not. Acting Mayor then stated that the police rules could not conflict with the city ordinances anyhow.
Further questioning by those present developed the fact that, notwithstanding his letter to the Signal accepting responsibility for the release, Sullivan had not actually released Brown. He stated that on going to breakfast he had left him sitting by the stove and when he had returned Brown was gone.
Acting Mayor Bernard in dismissing Sullivan stated that he must understand that there was no intention of questioning his honesty but that his position that the desk officer had the right to release or hold persons, was in question.
After discussion it was decided to recommend that Sullivan be laid off thirty days without pay.
Sullivan protested against City Attorney Dunseath asking him questions but was overruled by the mayor.
In the questions at the hearing, other facts relative to the matter were brought out. It was claimed that the whiskey in question had been purchased on Meyer street and not in New Mexico and that it was not in Brown’s pocket when he was arrested but was sitting on the dresser in the room of the negro prostitute opened and that Brown had been drinking in the room. It was also claimed that he was badly intoxicated and that Officer T. S. Sullivan had left a notation on the blotter to the effect that he wished to see the city recorder before Brown’s case was taken up. It was declared that Officer T. S. Sullivan could have made charges of drunkenness or indecent exposure against Brown. Another point brought out was that County Attorney Hilzinger had phoned Night Desk Sergeant Eseau Mills asking that Brown be held so that it could be ascertained where he purchased the liquor.
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