Aug. 23, 1878
Arizona Weekly Star.
(Editor's note: Portions of this story are undecipherable in the microfilmed version of the old paper. Those areas are noted in the text.)
The great alarm of the people over the recent numberous stage robberies has been increasing from day to day since the last robbery, until the subject was discussed in every circle and every person had a theory and a probability to present, and more than one innocent man has been suspicioned.
During all this excitement, Sheriff Shibell, accompanied by his deputies, have kept almost constantly upon the road, riding often all night, following the trail of the robber, and looking after accomplices until it affords us great pleasure to state, success has crowned his efforts, and the robber, William Whitney Brazelton, was brought into Tucson a corpse Monday night last.
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The first clue.
After the robbery of the stage going west, near point of mountain station, the Sheriff with his men visited the spot and took the trail of the robber's horse. It followed back to Tucson, and around the outskirts on the east, beyond the town going south, and was lost, on account of the severe fall of rain. It was ascertained from a Mexican east of town, on a ranch, (words undecipherable) of the robber perfectly, as given by Mr. Miller, who was robbed on the stage, brought his horse, which was also described, to water near the ranch, and on this information the officers again took the road and from another Mexican, living south of town, they learned that the same horse and man had been seen in the vicinity. Following up this trace of evidence as to the whereabouts of the robber, they finally came upon the horse in the possession of David Nemitz, at his ranch, about one and a half miles south of Lee's mill, which is only about three miles from Tucson.
Arrest of Nemitz.
The next proceeding was to arrest Nemitz, which was done, and he was brought to town for examination, being fully convinced that Nemitz, if not a party to, was familiar with the details of the robberies, and knew the party perpetrating them. His story at the examination was that the horse was left at his place, by a stranger, which was not satisfactory to the Court, and he was bound over in the sum of $2,500. He was then placed in jail, where he was visited quietly and finally induced to reveal what proved to be facts. He was let out on bail, a large number of our leading citizens going on his bond, and the plans for the capture of the stage robber were then arranged. Nemitz being promised protection from the citizens.
Visit to the robber.
It was arranged that Nemitz should visit the robber, who was camping near Lee's mill, and accordingly on Sunday night last he went out and remained overnight, reporting here again on Monday.
The robber's plans.
Brazleton was very much enraged over the arrest of Nemitz, for having the horse in his possession, and arranged to meet him again on Monday evening at a point near the Guadalupe Sainz ranch, south of Lee's mill, about one and a half miles, in the road, when a fallen log somewhat obstructs passage, at precisely eight o'clock. The signal of his approach was to be a cough, to be returned by Nemitz, when Brazleton would take off his large slouch hat and lay it down upon the log. Nemitz was then to appear, bringing with him a saddle, bridle, overalls, (text undecipherable) and grub, which the robber was to receive, and proceed to some point west of Tucson, and again take in the western stage leaving here on Tuesday afternoon last.
He was then to return to Tucson, and Wednesday night he would go to the residence of Marshal Buttner, knock and when Buttner put in an appearance at the door, he would shoot him down. Then he would go to the residence of Sheriff Shibell and kill him in the same way. After this bloody work was done, he would leave the country. His object in killing Shibell and Buttner was to wipe out all evidence against Nemitz in reference to the horse being found in his possession.
The sheriff's posse.
These facts being revealed to the Sheriff, he deputized a posse, and with Nemitz, started on Monday evening to meet the robber according to the arrangements. Arriving at the spot, Nemitz left the party, and they were stationed on both sides of the road, at intervals, and by darkness were concealed from view. They had to wait about an hour, when the dark outlines of a man was seen approaching from the south, who came cautiously up, and reached the log.
He gave the cough, which was returned, and immediately placed his hat on the log. He then stooped over, as if looking down on the other side of the log, probably after the packages he expected to find there, when a gun, loaded with buckshot was discharged quickly, one barrel after the other, and two other shots followed from the parties.
The Dying Moment.
The words of Brazelton were, after the first shot was fired, "You s-- of a b--," when he turned and fell upon his face, exclaiming, "I die brave; my god, I'll pray till I die." Then a gasp and all was still. The party remained quiet for a little time to be satisfied he was dead, when matches were lighted and the assurance of death was plainly visible. He had a wound just under the nostrils, and one shot went into his mouth, but probably the fatal shot was a charge of buck shot in his back, there being ten holes in his body, between his shoulders and in the region of his heart and lungs.
Bringing in the Body.
Officer Brokaw came to town and procured a wagon while the balance of the party remained with the body. Brokaw returning, the body was put in the wagon and brought to town and placed in the courthouse. Here it was searched and in the pockets were found a pair of earrings belonging to C.T. Etchell, which had been placed in the mail on the 8th, addressed to parties in the east, also a small gold watch and chain. Upon the watch were the initials G.A.C. or G.M., the marking not being clear. In a brown sack which he carried were found various articles for his own use, such as salt, tea, grease for his gun, matches, etc., and the well known white sack which has been so often described by stage passengers, with holes cut for the eyes, a raise or puff in the cloth for his nose, and a piece of red flannel attached where the mouth would come. This mask extended down over his shoulders, a most frightful thing to look at, when placed over the head of a man. His wearing apparel was sadly dilapidated. A blue shirt, which covered only a portion of the body, being a fragment, and as a sort of drab pants, with great patches on the knees, pants in his boots. In two belts around his body were a hundred round of cartridges, and two of Colt's six shooters and a Remington rifle were a part of his outfit.
Brazleton was a man of herculean frame full six feet high and weighed about 200 pounds; was 26 years of age, and in complexion a blonde; a large, bright, blue eye peering over a clean cut aquiline nose, heavy hair of a light (text undecipherable) sparsely covered with whiskers of a yellow tinge. In fact, in build he was a model of strength and energy, which, directed in a channel for good, he undoutedly would have excelled even more than in this destructive profession in which he fell.
Coroner's Inquest.
On Tuesday morning Justice Neugass summoned a Coroner's Jury and a verdict was rendered in accordance with the facts. Mr. Buehman, the artist, took a photograph of the remains as he appeared in his dress when robbing stages, and one showing his face and another with the mask, for the purpose of having his victims identify him, if possible. Dr. Wheatley, who was in the stage with (editor) Clum of the Citizen, is in town, and identified the remains as the man who robbed him, at first sight. The body was then prepared for burial, and on Tuesday afternoon was deposited in the cemetery.
Thus ended the brief career of one of the most brave desperados that ever lived. He had participated in nine stage robberies in this territory and in New Mexico, three near Silver City, including the one at Cook's Canon, two in northern Arizona, and four near Tucson, the most of which work he did alone.
He resided in Tucson for something over a year, and was employed in Leatherwood's corral, now occupied by James Carrol, generally hauling hay, grain, wood, etc. for which his superior strength qualified him. He worked faithfully, was kind and courteous with all, and no one at that time would have taken him for the man he proved himself to be.
For the past year he told a friend he had been on the road, taking in stages, and committing other depredations and during most of that time had lived in the mountains camping hardly twice in one place. Nothing as yet has been found of a hiding place, which he must have had somewhere for his money and valuables, which are probably buried or hidden away in rocks, as he had little opportunity to dispose of them otherwise, unless perhaps, through accomplices.
We have already overreached the bounds given us by the Sheriff in our statement of this affair; as there are others which they are striving to bring to justice. There are a great many items and incidents connected with the above circumstances going back a year or more, which Brazelton has told, connected with robberies and his career, which we are not permitted now to make public. The further statements will make several columns of matter and we hope to be allowed to prepare it for next week's Star.