The Arizona champion., 1885-12-26
DEPUTY suERrrr MURPHY.
An officer of tho Law FUuIiy Murdor
 while in Execution ot hts Duty.

arrest man named Dilda. charged with retit larceny. On the road ht was cautioned that Dilda was mar who would not not submit quietly tc arrest and that he carried a Rem mington rife which he would use against any one who attempted to ar, rest hin. It seems that on Saturday night Mir. Murphy slept at the ranch of C. Behan, which was not far from the house occupied by the man Dilda. In deference to the opinions of the residents of the ranch, Murphy kept quiet all day Sunday, but determined to arrest his man by night.fall. Leav- ing MT. Behan's house shortly afrer eight o'clock in the evening, he took circuitous trail towardlrs Dilda' s residence. It was bright moonlight night and th, dlstan.e to traverse was about one mile. About half an hour after Murphy had Jeff Behan's house, two shots were heard. Then a man named Williscraft, who had come out with Murphy, but had remained at Behan's house, says he went towards the place from whence the sounds of the firing had come, in the direction of Dalda's honse. On approaching the house he gave loud whistle, which was answered, and Dilda was seen by him to come cut of a clump of trees and go towards his house The man Williscraft seems to have been badly scared and made tracks for his house, which was near by, and went to bed.
 Word was sent to Sheriff Mulven. on at Prescott, and he immediately started far the scene of the supposed tragedy, which is about 4s miles west of Prescott. On arriving at the place. Dilda's house was fouEd deserted, aud Murphy's dead body was found in the cellar packed in sack.
 The theory of the murder is that Dilda expected Murphy to come around at night and that he lay in wait for him, as he came up to the picket fence in the garden, and shot him as he passed, the ball entering at the back with an upward tendency, and coming out through the breast. showing that the assassin must have been crouching low On the ground.
 MT. Murphy was a native of Bos- ton, Mass, where hls flther and step mother are now living. He was brought up to the ship carpentering business, which his father followed, and became proficient in all branch es of the trade. Twelve years ago he left hls home and went South, where he spent several years, travelling from one state to another. but not making q permanent resistance in any. Eventually he reached Prescott eight years ago, and made it his home up to the time of his death. He has been connected with the sheriff of- flee for the past six years, serving as deputy, with occasional intervals, under Sheriffs Walker, Henkle, and the present incumbent. His thorough trustworthiness, fearlessress and tenn pera;e habits, rendered him a most valuable deputy and one whom it will difficult to replace. Murphy was man Of good education and assisted in drawing up and amending several bills brought before the las, legislature, Though firm, his demeanour was very quiet and his disposition as gentle as woman's. He wal generous, with out being ostentatious, and his many acts of kindness were known to his friends alone. |
 THE ARREST.
 The murderer was arrested on Wed nesday near Ash Fork and taken back to Prescott by Sheriff Mulvenon, ar irving there on Thursday m ,rning.