Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-05-17
THE FATE OF JOHN RIsQUE.
Graphic Account Of Flis Slaughter by
Sayages.

THE AMBrSHED ATrACK-THE FALL OF RIsQUE-
THE ESCAPE OF MAGRUDgR-REcovERY OF
RIsqUEs REnAIEs-THE OBsEQUIEs ETC.
A letter has been received BY gentle
man of this city, from Mr.. Ferdinand w.
Risque, of st. Louis, in which the particulars of
the sad death of his brother, the late John
Risaue. formerly Of this District in Arizona, are
given. The writer states that the story is
briefly told The deceased owned half-interest
IN some valuable copper mines near Clifton
Arizona. He went out with Magruder and two
others to inspect the land and open negotiations
Tor It's sale The party had reached the mine
about dinner time ami determined to go to a
cabin, where they would dine.
THE MURpEROUs ATTACK.
They accordingly started. and on the way
heard the report of gun. which they supposed
was fired by some hunter. That shot, as it was
afterwards discovered. Killed the owner and oc-
cupant of the cabin. The pathway was noun
tain trail John Risque had been suffering with
sprained knee, so he hired mule and led the
way. Capt. Slawson was next behind him; Tres
colt next, and John Magruder last. Suddenly
one Of the party called out Here are the In-
dianS! and at once voiey was poured i'm upon
them from the brush. John Ris1ue fell mortally
wounded. shot through the body under the arm,
and through the jaw. SiawsOn fell dead at the
hrst ire. and Prescott fell with his leg broken,
anu while PROSTATE was shot second time.
Hagruder. from the rear. took in the whole
scene at once. He ieyeed his rifle at an In
dian who was preparing to shoot him. and
the Indian dropped for safety into guch.
Masruder turned and ran back on the
trail. with bullets whZZing past. He
lodged behind trees, rocks and mounds,
turned and fired and then ran as only man so
placed can. till finally he had reached point of
safety. Some say that he ran fully six miles
before he was beyond danger. The alarm was
spread among the citizens. arid they turned out
found the bodies and buried them where they
fell
THE REMAINS REc0yERED-THE OBsEQUIEs
Magruder went to Clifton and then to Silver
City. where he and Beverly Risque organized a
party of forty young men. who determined to
bring in the bodies of the slain men at all
hazards None knew whether they would ever
return. They travelled day and night, recov-
cred the remains and returned to Silver CITY.
Friday. April 2Sth. Just one week after the
massacre. The body of John Risque was laid in
state at the Masonic hall. with guard of honor
from the Knights Templar and reliefs of Royal
Arch and Blue Lodge Masons. Masonic cere-
monies were held in the hall, and the master
was compelled to stop frequently in the service
on account of his emotion. Business for sew
eTai days was nearly suspended. and a gloom
seemed to settle on tine little CITY, The re-
mains, accompanied b. the family. were taken
BRIEF But BRILLIANT CAREER OF JOHN RIsQUE
The writer concludes as follows -" John was
50 years Ii DAYS of age at the time of his death
He left Georgetown college before graduating,
but was almost without exception head Of his
classes sll through. He went to New Mexico in
April, 1867. as bookkeeper for the New Mex
leo mining company. afterward entered the pay
department. of the army. and was Col. A. B.
Cary's clerk. He studied law was admitted to
the bar. and at once went into partnership with
L. f. Conway. OF Santa Fe. When Silver City
was but mining camp he aud Magruder went
there-Jehn TO practice law. John was very
successful, gave close attention to business and
numbered among his clients the AtchisOn To-
peka and 5. f. X. r. CO.. the stage and mail line
the banks of the place, and number of mining
companies. Many thanks for your kind and at
fectI0nate letter. for it is but another of the
many expressions YOU have given of your friend
ship aud esteem
1.-THE MERCII.ESS SAvAGES"
Mr.. Conway, the partner of John Risaue
wrote to his brother in st. Louis an account of
the affair, which was inclOSed with the above
letter to this city. He says Il came here at
once and have in all these days of our deep
fact, the condition we have all been in. the srs-
pense aud excitement has untitled us TO write.
The mercileSs savageS abandoned their reserya-
ton and when least expected raided the country
and caught many of our best citizens unprepared
To defend themselves against their muftlerous
attacks He then goes on to give an account
or the attack. which Is substantially the same
as in Mr. Risque's letter.