WEEKLY ARIZONA MINER                        PRESCOTT, ARIZONA 
Page 2,           January 4, 1878

FROM THE EASTERN PART OF THE COUNTY

Deputy Sheriff, J.M. Dodson returned on Monday evening, from an unsuccessful search for the missing Tax Collector, N.B. George, who allowed the boys at St. Johns to beat him shooting, playing poker, etc.   It is proper here to say that Mr. Dodson ascertained, while at St. Johns, that George was not inveigled into any game, but went into it of his own accord.

He followed the trail of the fugitive nearly to Horse Springs, New Mexico, and finding that he had still seventeen days the start, concluded it was useless to go further, and returned.

Hayward and Baker, proprietors of the mail line, kindly furnished horses along the road, for which Mr. Dodson desires us to return thanks, in his name, as well as to Capt. Lott Smith, President Ballenger, and Messrs. Allen and Tenny, of the Mormon Colony, for furnishing him every facility in their power to aid in his endeavor to catch the defaulter.

The Mormons are doing an immense labor, and have already begun

to make the Little Colorado bloom as a rose.  They say that they intend to obey all the laws, pay their taxes, and if they don't live in peace with the gentiles it shall not be their fault.

St. Johns is not a farming country, but is head center for sheep and wool growing, and the principal trading point on the river, which makes it a place of considerable importance.  A majority of the population hereabouts, is of the better class of Mexicans, who are fair in their dealings, hospitable to strangers, and punctual to their obligations.

Round Valley is settled principally by Americans, who have plenty to eat and to wear, with grain hoarded up in their bins ready for Milligan's mill, which when it starts will render them independant of the outside world in the way of bread.

WEEKLY ARIZONA MINER       PRESCOTT, ARIZONA,

Page 3, March 1, 1878

Local Intelligence

Mr. Rouiller, of the firm of Gonzales & Co. Little Colorado, has fixed up matters of business satisfactorily with the Quartermaster, which business brought him here, and is ready to return to his home again, at St. Johns, on the Little Colorado.

WEEKLY ARIZONA MINER      PRESCOTT, ARIZONA,

Page 4, April 9, 1880

Local Intelligence

James Houck, who keeps the station fifty miles east of Prescott, has been arrested by the authorities at St. Johns on a charge of complicity, with a tramp, in the murder of a doctor from Cincinatti, Ohio, a few days since at the station of said Houck.  It is known that the doctor had, at the time he was killed, on his person, some $3.000.   A Mr. Crane, of Bacon Springs, New Mexico, has been subpoenned as a witness.

Jas. H. Colter, who resides twelve miles beyond Springerville, on the Little Colorado, and C.E. Cooley from near Camp Apache, arrived in town this morning.  They report a more bountiful supply of rain in that country than has been vouchsafed to western Vavapai, and consequently a better prospect for good crops.

EDITOR ARIZONA MINER

Seeing the comments recently published in the Prescott papers, and hearing a great deal more in reference to the actions of Gov. Hoyt in the case of J.A. Lewis, the wife slayer, I take the privilege of expressing the sentiments of a goodly number of Yavapai's citizens, as well as my own We think Gov. Hoyt's actions were dictated by his conscience and public opinion, and his were actions of a noble, solid and unprejudiced mind; we fully endorce his policy to that point.   But now the question is this: Why do the authorities keep so quiet and take such little interest in affairs in other portions of the county?   I refer to the St. Johns and Springerville troubles of last fall.   During a very short time several men were killed, and not one has has ever been brought to justice for it.   That Pete Blanton was a bad man, I admit, but must a man of bad reputation be brutally murdered by a low, cowardly class of people worse than himself, simply on hearsay evidence?   As for George Spencer, no one can say naught against him more than what can be said of any man in Springerville.   I admit he gave board and shelter to men of bad reputation; so did the best men in the Valley, and why?  To refuse would probably mean death; so, to give was the only safe resort. 

Mr. Spencer was at St. Johns for some grain sacks, for which he had an order from St. James and Co., to Morris Barth.   He was present when Blanton was murdered, and was not allowed to leave town that day.  The following day, however, (after being compelled to swear that he did not know who killed Blanton) he was permitted to go home to Springerville. Just before starting he was hugged and embraced by a Mexican, (whose name at present I withold) calling him (Spencer) his brother, friend, etc., and in less than one hour, this same Mexican and one of his Friends were in pursuit of Mr. Spencer.  They got ahead of him, hid in some scrubby cedars by the roadside, and killed him while riding by.

Then, the cowardly killing of Wm. Snyder and Ed. Overstreet, while in the charge of Deputy Sheriff Milligan, who would undoubtedly have brought them to justice, had not an unprincipled mob overpowered him and lynched the prisoners.  If the citizens of Little Colorado were a law-abiding people, why did they not keep quiet when the authorities had these men in hand?   All these atrocities have passed by unnoticed by the authorities of Prescott. While they are so strict and punctial in their duties at home, we ask why they are so negligent in matters abroad, which, standing as they are at present, are detrimental to the honor of the County and the name she so rightly deserves.                            

Twig,
Prescott,  A.T.    April 17, 1878

WEEKLY ARIZONA MINER      PRESCOTT, ARIZONA

Page 3, April 19, 1878

Local Intelligence

C.E. Cooley, the pioneer white settler in Eastern Yavapai and a man who has had great experience on the frontier, having filled many important positions both in civil and military affairs, came in from his ranch, Shonlon*, 40 miles West of Camp Apache, a few days since and succeeded in procuring a living contract for furnishing Camp Apache with grain the ensuing year.  Yavapai County has few better men than Mr. Cooley and we are pleased to learn his mission to this place was crowned with success.
*This reporter was unfamiliar with the relatively new town of Show Low--he obviously means Show Low.

Madaleno Calderon, a freighter, is en route from the Little Colorado with several loads of salt, which his agent has contracted for with Col. Head.

WEEKLY ARIZONA MINER PRESCOTT, ARIZONA

Page 4, May 17, 1878

Local Intelligence

The Deputy Assessor on the little Colorado informs us that when he was relieved from that duty, that the amount had reached $72.000, and thinks he was only about one-forth through with his duty of assessing.

Deputy Assessor Lucero informs us that he assessed eight herds of sheep on the headwaters of the Colorado, 27,000 in number which have heretofore escaped, being place on the assessment rolls.  He thinks that ther are still 100,000 to be assessed.

The copartnership heretofore existing between the undersigned merchants, freighters, etc., at Springerville, Yavapai County, and known as that of Gonzales and Rouiller, has been dissolved by mutual consent.  The business will be carried on by Victor Rouiller who will pay the debts and collect all accounts due the firm.

                                                   Antonio Gonzales

                                                  Victor Rouiller
Springerville, A.T., May 20, 1878.

The train of Victor Rouiller, loaded with thirteen thousand pounds of salt is due in Prescott on Monday or Tuesday next.

Several persons have been arrested on a complaint made that they were instrumental in causing Overstreet, Spencer and others to be killed near Springerville last fall.   The prisoners are to be brought to Prescott for trial. The military at Apache assisted in making the arrest.

ARRESTED--Madaleno Calderon and Manuel Lucero were arrested last evening by Deputy Sheriff Pierce on a warrant implicating them in the Springerville affair.   They are confined in the County Jail awaiting an examination.

The following is a list of Special Grand Jurors, empanneled this morning to investigate Little Colorado and Verde criminals:  W.J. O'Neil, F.H. Lucas, J.W. Clay, Washington Coffee, W.A. Deering, H. Asher, Robt. Connell, John G. Campbell, B.H. Weaver, W.J. Tompkins, H.W. Henry, Dan Halz, A.L. Moeler, D. Levy, J.N. Rosenburg, Geo. L. Yackle, Washington French.

Dr. Rudd, a prominent citizen of Eastern Yavapai, is visiting Prescott for the first time, and expresses himself highly pleased with the Capitol of the Territory.

Deputy Sheriff Behan returned from the Little Colorado last evening bringing the following prisoners, Juan Sedillo and W.R. Milligan, charged with being accomplices in the killing of George Spencer.

The Special Grand Jury, empanelled for the purpose of investigating the Little Colorado difficulties, etc., have found bills against Juan Sedillo, Manuel Lucero, and Madaleno Calderon.   In addition to these, we understand other indictments have been found against parties not under arrest, whose names we suppress.   The whole of this Little Colorado trouble will be the means of throwing the County several thousand dollars deeper into debt, with the chance of no person being convicted of the crimes as charged in the indictment.   Another great drawback and injury in renewing these old matters, at this time, is the calling away from home of several farmers and others, living at Springerville, Round Valley and other places, a distance of from 150 to 200 miles, without compense.

The case of RUDD & JONES vs the Senator Mining Co. was tried before his Honor, Judge Silent, to-day, --Taken under advisement.

Captain Adam Kramer, of Camp Apache, called upon us to-day, in company with Price Behan.  The Captain bears a good reputation, both as an officer and gentleman, among soldiers and citizens.  He is here by order of the Court to testify in the Little Colorado lynching affair, he having been called upon, in his capacity as an Army officer, to make arrests, etc.

Manuel Lucero, Madaleno Calderon and Juan Sedillo, indicted for complicity in the Little Colorado troubles were brought into court this morning to answer to the indictment, and plead not guilty.  Their cases were set for the 2d day of July.   In the meantime, witnesses will be subponead for the defense.

Rosalio Coloma, one of the best citizens of Eastern Yavapai, has written us that he will be in Prescott soon to answer certain charges preferred against him by persons who seem to be working for the promise of glittering gold, a commission in the Army or a Post-tradership.

WEEKLY ARIZONA MINER      PRESCOTT, ARIZONA

Page 3, June 21, 1878

Local Intelligence

Deputy Sheriff Cooley, who has been employed to assess Eastern Yavapai, reports $200,000 of taxable property as having been assessed by him and Deputy Lucero.

C.E. Cooley left last evening for the Little Colorado, entrusted with the mission of subponeaing witnesses in the Lucero--Calderon cases.  Thus far the accusations, etc., have been of a one-sided element against the "black-hearted villainous compadres."  Time is the regulator of all things, and we will see who is right and who is wrong.

That "Hombre" Twig, who is to have a portion of the $10,000 to be expended in convicting someone, no difference who, for the killing of "Pete" and others, has another very witty communication.

Jerry Hayward, contractor on the Santa Fe and Prescott mail route, and Mr. Henry reed, post suttler at Fort Wingate, N.M., arrived in town at forenoon. Mr. Hayward comes here to inquire into certain charges bought against Madeleno Calderon, and Mr. Reed to see the Cavalry.

O. Allen, of the Prescott Meat Market, has purchased his partner, Mr. Milligans' interest in the business, and is now sole owner.

The Board of Supervisors appointed C. Bunch, Justice of the Peace for Round Valley.   Mr. Rudd of Allen was notified that he would he required to give new bonds.

The wife of Madaleno Calderon, arrived in town this forenoon, from the Little Colorado.   She brought with her 6 witnesses, meeting Mr. Barth at Aqua Fria.   Mr. Barth had left last evening for the Little Colorado, and being informed by him that the case had been continued until November, they took the road back to their homes.

WEEKLY ARIZONA MINER           PRESCOTT, ARIZONA

Page 3,      July 19, 1878

Local Intelligence

Antonio Gonzales, who was indicted by the last Grand Jury for participating in the murder of E.M. Overstreet, at St. Johns, on the Little Colorado, last October, was captured at Las Lunas, New Mexico, last week, by Morris Barth.  He will be brought to Prescott.

Morris Barth, the prosecuting witness against some half-dozen or more men of St. Johns, has been commissioned to arrest Gonzales and Coloma, and we believe has made the arrests.

Gov. Hoyt has issued a requisition upon Gov. Axtell for the arrest of Thomas House who is accused of having recently committed a cold-blooded murder in the Eastern part of Yavapai County, near the New Mexico line.

Horse-thieves are reported in the Mogollon mountains.  Now is a good time for Sheriffs, Marshals, and other officials to make for themselves illustrious names and perhaps prevent a reoccurence of Little Colorado barbarities.  It may be claimed hereafter that these horse-thieves were high-minded gentlemen etc.

WEEKLY ARIZONA MINER            PRESCOTT, ARIZONA

Page 3,      August. 2, 1878

Local Intelligence

Rosalio Coloma arrived from his home at Springerville last evening, and this morning, in accompany with his Counsel, Messrs. Fitch & Churchill, presented himself at the Sheriff's office, for confinement on an indictment found against him by the last Grand Jury.  At the time the Grand Jury found the indictment against Mr. Coloma, he was absent on the Rio Grande, making purchases for his store.  

Upon his arrival at home he was somewhat surprised to learn that he had been indicted upon a charge of murder.  He fixed up his business and came to Prescott for the purpose of delivering himself up to the authorities.  In regard to the dispatch sent here by one Estell, a butcher at Camp Apache, to L.B. St. James, stating that Coloma was at St. Johns, armed with pistols, Bowie knives, etc., and defying the officers of the law, he says he knows nothing, not even having seen or met Estell.   Mr. Coloma has always born a good reputation since we have known him, which covers a period of 20 years, and his voluntary surrender to the authorities is certainly a praiseworthy act, and in accordance with all former knowledge we have ever heard of him.

WEEKLY ARIZONA MINER            PRESCOTT, ARIZONA

Page 2,      August 9, 1878

"SELF SACRIFICE"

The fact that Rosalio Coloma surrendered himself to the authorities yesterday, is another embellishment to the character of this self-sacrificing gentleman.   Mr. Coloma is the author of many praiseworthy acts, many which his aged and decripit mother will narrate in confidence, while tears of shame stream down her cheeks.   Many reliable gentlemen of the New Mexico and of the Little Colorado can testify to his many noble deeds; some of those gentlemen can tell of the heroic act of whipping a poor, innocent woman almost to death, through jealously; others can tell of the fame his den had in New Mexico.   However 'tis useless to eulogize his character at present, as some of the most reliable citizens of St. Johns will testify on oath as to the "good reputation he has borne for 20 years," at the November session of the District Court.   As for Mr. Thos. Estell of Camp Apache, he is a perfectably reliable gentleman, his reputation as such is extensively known throughout the Territory and is quite incapable of making any false statements in the matter.                       TWIG.

Prescott, August 2nd, 1878.

"Twig," who knows more about "dog-robbing" around some officer's kitchen, intimates that Mr. Coloma has done acts which has caused his mother to shed a river of tears, that he whipped a poor, innocent woman nearly to death, kept a 'den' in New Mexico, etc., and expects to prove all these sad things at the next term of the District Court which meets in November, by some of the most reliable (?) citizens of St. Johns.  Who are these men?  Oh!  Yes, we have hit on them--Sol and Morris Barth & Co.   Now, "Twig," you knowing and self-sacrificing look-out for the welfare of society, would it not be well to prove your accusations by such men as Hon. Ambrosio Armijo, Juan Christobal Armijo, Salvador Armijo, Manuel Antonio Otero, Francisco Chavez, Henry Connelley, Melchoir Werner, John A. Hill, Henry Huning, Jack Connolley, Col. Hunt, Santiago Baca, and hundreds of prominent men of New Mexico?  Or, would it be well to prove by such men as those who robbed Frank & Wilburn of 200 head of cattle, stabbed their servant, shot Mr. Connolly, robbed the mails and were fined $300 for so doing, sold ammunition to the Apaches in the early days, with which they killed many of our pioneers; shot their own horse near Wickenburg, and robbed themselves to keep from paying a lawful debt; or, lastly, by men who perjured themselves before the last Grand Jury of this County, and who will never show their despicable forms in this town again until brought here in irons for their hundreds of deeds of infamy?

Mr. Coloma has come to Prescott for the purpose of defending that which is most sacred, his good name, and in it he will be backed by the very best citizens of New Mexico.  Captain Cramer will be in Prescott to-day or to-morrow, and will probably tell us about Mr. Estell who telegraphed such a reliable telegram to a man who is neither Judge or Sheriff, asking if he wanted Rosalio Coloma, when at the very time the telegraph was sent Mr. Coloma was en route to Prescott, and Mr. Estell was at Camp Apache, 75 miles distant, and had not been at St. Johns.   How then did he get his information?   Twig, Barth & Co. who do and know things by magic are the only parties who can solve the problem.

WEEKLY ARIZONA MINER           PRESCOTT, ARIZONA

Page 4,       August 16, 1878

Local Intelligence

W.R. Milligan commenced suit in the District Court this morning against B.F. Rudd and Thomas A. Irvine, to recover damages in the sum of $6,025.

WEEKLY ARIZONA MINER           PRESCOTT, ARIZONA

Page 4,       August 16, 1878

Local Intelligence

Victor Rouiller's team loaded five thousand pounds of merchandise for Wm. M. Buffum, this morning, which is to replenish his store at Alexandra.

Andres Moreno and Jose Chavez are in from the Little Colorado.  Mr. Moreno was the Constable at San Juan at the time the desperado Pete was killed, and comes here to tell what he knows about the killing.

WEEKLY ARIZONA MINER                PRESCOTT, ARIZONA,
Page 3,      August 23, 1878

Local Intelligence

A young man by the name of Snyder, is said to be about St. Johns, on the little Colorado, with a party of men who are intent on mischief.  Would it not be well to have the matter investigated?
The examination of witnesses in the case of Sedillo and others who have been asked to be admitted to bail on a writ of habeas corpus, has been set for the 29th inst.

WEEKLY ARIZONA MINER                 PRESCOTT, ARIZONA

Page 3,      September 6, 1878

OPINION OF GOOD MEN

One Francisco Baca, who has served as J.P. at St. Johns, although we understand he is a refugee from justice, having an indictment standing against him in New Mexico, it is said, collected a considerable amount from fines, etc., while attempting to act as a Justice of the Peace at that place, all of which should have been accounted for in rendering his accounts to the proper fountain head, still there never seems to have been any monies turned over by this old J.P.   We have had several Grand Juries since the aforesaid hombre went out of office, and yet we find that no examination has been made in the premises.   It is time this thing was investigated, and thoroughly at that.

NEW COURT HOUSE--His Honor, Judge Silent, opened Court for the first time, this morning in the new Court house.  The case of the Territory vs. Juan Sedillo, was brought up and the halls of Justice dedicated to tales of treachery and blood.   Judge Francisco Baca, who knows God, loves God, swears by God, is paid by God and expects (?) to inherit eternal rest in God's realm above, gave in his God-like evidence in the above case.

If we were God and this fellow claimed any relation with us, we would surrender our interest to the Devil and throw in one or two more we know of to get rid of him.

Rosalio Coloma, indicted here at the June term of the District Court, when he was absent in New Mexico, purchasing goods for his store at St. Johns, in this county, and, who, after his return home from that Territory, surrendered himself to the authorities, has been discharged. This news will be received with pleasure by his host of friends on the Rio Grande, including the Armijos, Pereas, Lunas, Oteros, and others who represent several millions of dollars and have written us in regard to Mr. Coloma. It may not be out of place here to state that the best men in two counties of New Mexico, met in September last at Albuquerque, and passed resolutions, etc., denouncing those persons who have been trying to convict Mr. Coloma of a crime which they are satisfied he never committed, the real perpetrators, being at large and living on the Rio Grande. The grounds for discharging Mr. Coloma by the Court, were, that there was a variance between the evidence and the indictment, in this: The indictment charged the defendant with shooting and killing one Peter Clanton. The prosecution introduced all their evidence and rested, whereupon Fitch & Churchill, attorneys for Mr. Coloma, moved the Court to strike out all the evidence, on the ground that there was not sufficient proof to be submitted to a jury, and the Court granted the motion, and then on motion the defendant was discharged from custody and the Jury discharged for the term. The Territory was represented by the District Attorney, assisted by Messrs. Hargrave & Morgan, all able counsel.

In the case of the Territory vs. Sedillo, the jury returned into Court at 4:30 to-day and reported their inability to agree.   We understand they stood 9 for conviction to 3 for acquittal.

WEEKLY ARIZONA MINER                 PRESCOTT, ARIZONA
Page 4,      November 29, 1878
Local Intelligence

The Little Colorado criminal cases drag slowly in the District Court, owing to the fact that a large proportion of the witnesses are Mexicans and their testimony has to be taken through the medium of an interpreter.

ANOTHER FALSEHOOD.--THE ENTERPRISE SAYS THAT we want a Grand Jury empanelled to look into certain irregularities of which Sol Barth, is accused of being Captain Rio Grande.   We have not mentioned Sol Barth's name, although we might, should we feel so disposed; and by referring to our old files, say something mean and low about him in the language of J.H. Marion.

WEEKLY ARIZONA MINER                 PRESCOTT, ARIZONA

Page 4,              May 14, 1880

VICTOR ROUILLER

From parties who arrived yesterday direct from New Mexico we learn that Victor Rouiller, who officiated as advisor, etc., in the suits against Juan Sedillo, Magdelo Caldron, Manuel Garcia, et al, in connection with the St. Johns troubles, was killed a few miles below Fort Craig, on the Rio Grande, last month by a party of horse thieves, whom he was in pursuit of.