Arizona citizen., 1874-06-13
The Killing of M. B. Duffield--His
 Career.

B. Duffield had been shot and killed on the San Pedro by a man named Holmes, on Friday, June ,.
 The following is the statement made by Oliger: He says that he was employed by Duffield to go with him to the Bronco mine, located about thirty miles above the crossing on the San Pedro, and that they arrived at house near the mine about 10 o'clock D. m., and unsaddled their horses. No one being at the house at the time Duffield told him to go to the mine and inform whoever was there that he was at the house. On arriving at the mine he found a man named Holmes and two Mexicans and informed them of Duff fields presence as requested. Thereupon Holmes and the two MeXicans each took their guns and started with him for the house. Holmes went into the house and set his gun down, but presently Du1feld came towards the house and Holmes im- mediately seized his gun and told Duffield he understood that he had come to drive them off the mine and to stop and leave and held up his hands when Holmes fired the contents of a dOuble-barrelled shot gun at him, being not over thirty steps dis tant at the time. Several of the shots pen etrated Duflield'S head and he settled down on his hands and one knee and asked for water; he made several efforts to rise but could not; he did not speak after asking for water and expired i'll about fifteen min- utes after he was shot. Holmes states that at the time Duffield was shot he was unarmed, having left his arms at a tree near the house where they had camped.
 Tine statement Of Holmes does not vary materially from the above. Holmes says that after arriving at the house with Oli- ger he heard some one hallo on the out side, that he seized his gun and on going to the door saw Duflield standing behind tree not far from the house; he then spoke to DutfieiG- and told him that he under stood nelntenued to kill any one he found on the mine, when Duffield, without say ing word, at once advanced swinging hIs hat ill front of him. Holmes at once drew his gun and told him to keep away, and twice ordered him to stop, but Duflield increased his pace, and when within four or live yards Ot him he shot. Holmes says that he fully believed Duffield was armed. and that he did not shoot until he was compelled to, for in an instant more Duff field could have seized his gunf
 As soon as Justice Osborn was informed of the homicide he immediately issued warrant for the arrest of Holmes, and Dep
 
 last to make the arrest.
 M B. Duffield was born in Wheeling. | Virginia, in 1910, and was therefore 64 years or age. We understand that he was for a time engaged ill mercantile business in | hIS native city, and from there went to Texas where he remained until l849, when ! he came to California. He was appointed 1 U. ;. Marshal for Arizona in 1883, and 1 came here in 1864. He was in constant | turmoil during the time he held the office, il1 EIf mt l ed Postal agent for ArlZOna, COlOl auo and i New Mexico in 1869, and again came to the Territory to take charge of said office; but
 as soon as he entered the Territory he commenced. war upon every one who dld hot think, act and do aS he desired. As a consequence complaints went on to 1 Washington faSt and numerous, and he
 was removed from the position in less than
 d year af,er his appointment.
 l IL is customary and proper so far as pos- sibe to bury with the dead their faults,
 and so far as our duty as journalist will 1 permit, we shall pursue that course in the present instance. Of the previous career of the deceased, before coming to Arizona,
 we know but little. He frequently spoke, Of bloody scenes in which he had been the | chief actor, and we have understood thfIt | he killed one man and wounded two Oth- CTS in a difficulty in TuOlumne county, | California. Since his residence in Arizona l it has been his custom to keep on hand and generally carry with him an armory | of improved weapons. He seemed to de- rive the greatest delight in talking about | taking the life of human beings. He very 1 frequently marched through the streets | like an insane person, threatening viO- | fence to all those who had offended him. | It is claimed by some good men that he had redeeming qualities, and such may have been the case, but we are free to con- feSS that we could never find them. He has a wife and three children in Washing ton, whom he abandoned several years ago, who have mainly been supported by the labor of the wife and the assistance of charitable persons.
 But his stormy life has ended and he has gone to that unknown land whence none return. May his ashes rest in peace and may his Maker deal more kindly and gently with him than he was disposed to deal with his fellow man.
 THE Tucson public schools closed yes terday for the Summer vacation. Gov. Stafford, Judge Osborn, Trustees Davis and and witnessed the examinations. The boys school is in charge of Miss Packer and the girls school has been taught by Miss Bolton. The schools have been open eight months, and the progress the pupils have made is creditable to both teachers and pupils. Very few Of the scholars could read or speak English at the commence ment, now most Of them can read, spell
 and write quite well, and many have
 made good progress in arithmetic and
 geography. The people of Tucson should | feel proud of their public schools, and al-
 ready the good influence is manifest. Boys
 who have learned to read, write and speak
 English, if worthy, can readily get em- DloVment and the girls are raDiuly inn