The Phoenix herald. (Phoenix, Maricopa County, A.T. [Ariz.]) 1879-1882, 1880-11-05
The case OF E,:.n;o, Cannon.

A CORES pondent to the Miner from
TiD-iop signed Real Justice under
date of October End, says :-1he
PL@nix Expositor published, On the
18th ult., an article in regard TO the
murder for which Daniel Cannon is
DOW serving a sentence in the Terri
torial Prison, which, from its many
MEASUREMENTS, ia calculated to de
ceive the people ard enlist sympathy
where more is deserved and, IN the
name Of justice, condOne and excuse
one of the blacklist crimes which
have disgraced the history of the
Territory.
In the month of May. 1875, at
Crooks Canyon, in tais county,
Daniel Cannon murdered J & Clancy,
mot one Doughcrty or O'Dougherty)
as stated in the Expositor. There
was 20 lady" in the case whatever.
The row, directly preceding the
killing, was IN a saloon, about the
sum OF one dollar ia a game Of
freeze out" The parties separated,
Cannon going (uot to get his effects
for The purpose of leaving the camp
as stated, but TO Dawes store, where,
going behind the counter, he took
Dawes pistol, and started for the
saloon, clancy remaining at the
saloon. In the meantime some one
OF the miners had given Clancy
pistol, telling him that Cannon had
gone for q slX-shooter and would
shoot him, and to defend himself.
Clancy was, at this time, in an almost
helpless state OF intOXica;ion, stand
ing in front of the saloon. Cannon
came up, and at once opened fire
upon him, the first shot missing him,
but the second doing its fatal work.
" hen Clancy, fell the siX-shoOter on
him dropped to the ground. He never
fired 4 shot, nor even drew the pistol.
Cannon was arrested, and bare
escaped lynching at the hands of the
Infatuated miners, not only Clancy's
friends. bat men who had been his
own friends. Ali that saved him was
the seeming certainty of capital
punishment bX law. Inst cad of being
the fricndlcss, peEniless man as
claimed II the Exposi;or, john A.
Rush was secured for his defense by
a retainer OF $3.50 cash and the
transfer of considerable Mining pro-
peTty. Never did an attorney labor
more jealousy for client than did
Judge Rush Tor Daniel Cannon. The
verdict of the jury, to tie surprise of
everybody who knowing the circum-
stances, was for murderin the second,
instead of the first degree. Judge
Tweed, IN sentencing the prisoner
for 81 years, told him that he had
escaped the galiows through having
Il good attorney and foolish jury.
When Cannon reached the prison he
told Sheriff Bowers that ''hc would
kill some more sons of BIS who
were down on him " The verdict
of the people at the time was that
Cannon's punishment was too light,
and no circumstances have come to
light since to cause them 10 change
that verdict. No one, not let by false
hoods, will sign a petition for Ex-
eculive clcmency in the case Of
Daniel Cannon.
The facts as above are given me by |
two eye-witnesses to the killing, who |
are men well known and of good |
in this community, and |
Touch for the circumstances as re
ated, and l ask you to publish this |
n order THAI man guilty of murder, |
or which serving his full sentence |
viii not be adequate punishment, !
nay not, by deceIving the public
through the press, be turned loose
upon the community to repeat the
rhine, as he has threatened to do.