Arizona weekly citizen., 1886-10-30
4 WANT0N LIBEL
The Loosely Unsupported Statements of the Star Answered by Sworn
 Testimony.
The Lowest Depth of Journalistic DeGra- dalton Reached by the star in it's Vile Attempt To Islander a Good Citizen
 Tor Political Purposes

For 6 few days past the editor of the Star has amused himself by asking vague questions, and among others it wanted to know who killed Bill Csva- ness, at the same time intimsting that 1t possessed a great deal of informs- tion about 1t. This morning 1t prints under flaming head lines The History of Great Crime. Facts relating to the killing of William Csvsness, alIss Coy ote Bill" 1t then goes on to state that it has gone to considerable trouble and no little expense, to procure the facts re- lating to the killing of William Csva- ness "and presents a so called narrative ss entirely trustworthy" without giving the name of. single responsible citizen as authority to substantiste the flimsy and loosely told story.
 Yet strange to say. by its own admis- sion Bill Csvsness Is pictured as worthless thief, and outlaw by profes- sion whom it says "stole cattle from his employer and nelghboring ranchmen, and committed. other acts of lawless- ness" IL admits the bad conduct of CsvRness and does not condemn his ''murderers' except by inuendo. It says that Tt has gone to considerable trouble and no little expense to procure the facts" but does not show that they are facts, showing ss usual, that 1t is guilty of wholesale lying,
 The Stars article is no more definite or explicit in its authority and responsI- billty than 1t was ID the interrogations winch have been administered to the pubic ln daily doses. Nobody makes any charges but the Star; nobody is mentioned as authority for these state ments, and the whole publication stands upon the same footing with the usual hbels of that journal, and IS simply s mass of scsndalous and villeinous scur- rility.
 The Star has pursued 8 sneaking, con- temptible course in this matter, so as to get some advantage. by delaying the publication 10 such a late date that there would not be time to answer 1t be- fore the election, but in this 1t counted without its reckoning, as the treBchery and trickery of the Star and its followers are too transparent to nlislead any one.
 The Star originally indorsed the kill ing of Cavanes as B blessing to the country. Why has the editor of the Star, knowing these alleged facts for so long renal ned passive instead of prosecut- ing these alleged murderers? If they are facts the editor of the Star is as guilty as the SO called "murderers.' IT the editor of the Star did not believe 1t, then he is au infamous slRnderfr and ought 10 have hIs ears cut of and placed in pillory as of-old.
 Knowing the trickery of the gang that runs the Democratic party m Pima county, where for some time they have in quiet way circulated R story similar 10 that dished up by the Star, MT. Gormley took the precsution to se- cure the affidavits of some of the men who know the facts of the case. Below will be found the affidsvits of Mir. Gorm- ly and Alexander Harvison and Peter Bsugh. They set forth all the facts Tn Ine case. are ese1f-explsnstory, and aeed DO comment from us, and are complete refutgtion to the sl8nderous statements of tbe Star.
 TERRITORY OF ARIZONA,
 COUNTY OF PIMA
 l.. II. Gormley being first duly sworn says on oath. resided in Pima county m November 1883. and was a member of the firm of Richardson. Gormley < Go. engaged in raising live stock ID said county.
 In the fall of 1883, am not certain as to the particular day, one of the vsque- ros of Richardson, Gormley & Go. notI- fled myself and Alex Hsrvison (also member of our firm that band of our cattle had been driven from the range by three men.
 Alex Harvison and Harlan Hopkins started that afternoon on the trail of and in pursuit of the stolen cattle snd the thieves, latter in the evening of the same day Peter Bsugh ana myself went direct to Rice's ranch where We remain ed all night. Early the next morning we were joIned by Hsrvison and Hop kins, also by Tony O'DonnelI, and Pa trick O'Donnell, We all sgaIn took up the trail at the place where Harvison | and Hopkins had camped on it the night before. after following the trail | about one mile further We came upon the thieves with the cattle in their pos The band of thieves consisted of Wm. Cavaness, alias Coyote Bill, and two Mexicans. The theIves had in their some 2i or 9 head of stolen cattle, seven or eight head of the cattle belonged to my firm. Several head be loDged to the Santa Rita Land and Cat tie Co. Some belonged to Mr. Watts, they also had in their possession horse belonging 10 D. A. Sanford, and stolen rifle.
 Cavaness and the Mexicans with him were all armed. After a short barley they went with our party to house on 5mythe's ranch. When We reached the house on Smythe's ranch, Tony ODon- nell and myself took CHvaress m to the loom Rt the south end of the house, and liter talking to Cavaness quite while Ee finally induced hIm 10 give up bis gun.
 l then stepped into another room and a rifle. I went outside then, brought my rifle to bear upon the Mexi- ,ans and told them to throw up their hands and surrender. This they refus- sd to do, and they at once commenced irlng at myself aud tho others who were with me. The MexIcans got behind a .ree Tn front of which was piled several 'olls or fensce wire which made quite 8 1resstwork. A desperate fight ensued. )ne Of the theives was killed on the ground and the other fled on horseback, put died at La Noris the next day, from ! wound probably received in the fight.
 After the light was over. our party all tarted with Cavaness back 10 the place where We first found the theives, and where the cattle still were. From thst 'oint we started Tn a body for Rice's anch. driving the stolen cattle. Some member of our party Il do not i ecollect now who 1t wss) raised the uestion as to whether or not We were ound 10 take Cavsness before the nesI- { st justice of the peace for preliminary before taking him to Tue on. said thought not, but ssit WAS ' question and as he could be taken to ( iarshaw, and have his examination | nd then be taken to Tucson without ( 'ss ot time, l consented tbst be should { 3 taken to Harshaw for his prelimi-