The Arizona champion., 1885-05-02
The John F. Scott Case, at Williams.

l EDITOR CHAMPioN:-Dear Sir: In
 compliance with your request, give
 you astatement of the facts connected
 with the case tried before Judge Nel-
 lis, at Wiuiams on the a4th, entitIed,
 Territory of Arizona vS. John F. Scott.
 The direct cause of this unpIeasant
 suit, seems to have grown out of a
 grave misunderstanding on the ques-
 tion of domestic economy, and their
 individual rights in the use of private
 personaI property. The rule of action
 proposed by MT. Scott seems to rest
 on the absoIute mandate of the hus-
 band, and the obedience of the wife,
 even in matters reIating to individual,
 or private property. MT. Scott was
 charged with assault with intent to do
 bodily harm, upon the person of his
 wife, Jauie A. Scott. The jury found
 him guilty, and upon hls most soIemn
 promises not to repeat, the Justice
 fined him S2o. The fouowing are
 some of the facts discIosed in the evi- dence:
 It appears that they have rived up-
 on their ranch in Wiuiams during the
 past three years or more and that the time of both has been industriousIy employed for their mutual benefit and malRlainance of their family. Short ly after they had settIed here, Mrs. s. came into possession of sum of money from her peopIe Tn the east, amounting to about SI,3oo. This was considered as her private property, and was expended in the purchase of dairy COWS, a span of horses, wagon and harness. The bius of saIe taken by MT. Scott, and branding irons used by him were all in his wife's name, thus showing their intentions when their money was expended. It further appeared that these appliances had all been used fof their mutual ben eft, and the support of the'r family. up to the date of this difficulty. No money was furnished by MT. Scott from any outside source to balance the above. Mrs. Scott cIaimed that her G .le had been sadly negIected, and that some of last years caves were not yet branded. This neglect on his part, and his extreme cruelty to her horses, induced her to Iease all her stock to George Cramer, as trust worthy custodian. The horses were turned over to him in presence of witnesses, but Mir. Scott afterward took them and used them few days, md attempted to cease them to anoth- .r party, without the consent of eithei Gamer or Mrs. Scott. It aIso appears hat NIT. Scott IS heavily in debt on III sides, and attempting to cease, he made some mention of seuing the horses, and for fear he might dispose )f them, she drove them with the Wa son over to MT. Cramer's, and again turned them over to him. On her .eturn she sound that NIT. Scott had ,ome home. He asked her about the : cam and she informed him what she lad done. He then assaulted her, ragged her into the ceuar and fas- ened the door with a prop on the outside. He then went to Mir. John See and borrowed a Winchester rifle , o go and take the team. MT. Bass ! md myself discovered this fact, and [ rom his apparent desire to keep from observation, we were convinced that lis intentions were evII, and taking ,ur rifles went over where the men were with the team. On arriving we informed MT. Scott that we did not .ome to fight or threaten him, but i o prevent any breach of the peace. , ie came back with us to Williams, f nd MT. Cramer took charge of the S cam. On the way he stated that 1t 'as the first time in his life that he ad made up his mind to kill anyone. When we arrived at his house the cputy sheriff, MT. Macomber. was f' here to arrest him on a warrant al- ( eady issued on complaint of his wife, $ ne having succeeded in effecting her s 'cape from the cellar prison by push 4 ,g away the prop from the side door \ y means of small stick through an 4 pening at the bottom. regret to f .y that the difficulty does not seem | , be settled. l.
 Respectfully Yours, e
 JAMES M. SANDFoRD. s' Williams, May rst, 1885. .. d
 a HoN. CLARK CHURCHILL, Attorney al