The Arizona champion., 1884-10-18
COMMENDABLE DEED.
A Mexican Killed by Officer Dykes-His
 Action Sustained by Q Coroner's Jury.

saloon in old town, came to new town after Deputy Sheriff Dykes. ell. ing that officer that Mexican was at his place with a rife, threatening to murder, and that if he was not taken care of would kill some one. MT. Dykes, accompanied by John Weimer and John Drain, went to old town, and into Drains saloon by the rear door, where they found nearly the entire people of the neighborhood huddled up into one corner very much frightened and excited with fear. The Mexican, with Winchester in hand, was walking on the front porch of the s'loon, waiting for some one to come out. Sheriff Dykes, getting the To- cality of the desperado, went out of the back door of the saloon and came alongside of the building to the front, where he was met by the Mexican, with his Winchester in hand. The officer ordered him to "hold up," when the Mexican, instead of "hold ing up," leveled his rife on Dykes, but before he had an opportunity to fire the officer got a shot in which killed the Mexican, almost instantly, the weapon being a shotgun, loaded with buckshot, the charge hitting the assailant over the right eye, we'll to the side of the head. Officer Dykes then picked up the dead mans rife and placed it on table in the saloon and gave instructions that no one dis turb the body until the arrival of the acting coroner, J. w. Spafford. The officer also employed two men to watch the body until morning. MT. Dykes informed J w. Spafford, jus tice of the peace and acting coroner, of what had transpired, and turned over his weapon and other effects to John Weimer, special deputy for the occasion, in whose charge Mir. Dykes remained until discharged by the jury. The acting coroner summoned jury, composed of the following we'll known and substantial business men of our town: R. S. Foster, C. F. Kathrens, Al Gregg, w. NJ. McIntire, H. A, Larsen, M. s. Beale, A. Duly, James A. Vail. w. w. Prentiss and George Hoxworth. After a hearing of all the testimony the jury brought in a verdict of acquittal, agreeing with one accord that the officer did his duty in defense of the law and himself.
 It is with feelings of safety and con idence we note the general opinion of the public in'upholdlng an officer in the performance of the duties de- volving upon him. We are law abiding community, and the peace and prosperity of our town depends upon the prompt punishment of those who prey upon society by placing the lives of honest, quiet citizens in jeop- ardy. There is no town in Arizona more orderly than Flagstaff at the present, where riot and bloodshed reigned at one time to an alarming extent. This change is due to the efficiency of our officers, and the peo- pie will sustain them in their laudable efforts to maintain the law in our midst. Deputy Sheriff Dykes not only has the confidence of a jury, composed of honest, law-abiding men and prominent, substantial citizens, but the entire community. The promptness with which he fired saved his life, for had the rife in the hands of the Mexican, which was pointed at his breast, been in prompt working order, MT. Dykes would have been the dead man.
 The deceased was named Borheno Bortaris, and had been the employ of Daggs Brothers x Clark few days as herder. He was intoxicated at the time, and had some words in the sa- loon, after which he went to the slaughter house, about a mile from town, and got the rife and knife, and returned to the saloon with his weapons when the officer was called uponAto take him in charge. A few evenings before the same Mexican drew pistol on William McIntire, but was prevented from shooting. That he has finally met his just deserts there can be no doubt.
 
 IT. ic in the leuiclature that iohherv