Arizona weekly enterprise., 1888-10-27
SOLEMN FACTS.
A CHAPTER OF INTERESTING LOCAL
 HISTORY.
Outrages Perpetrated Under the Cloak of Official Authority---High Handed
 Abuse of Power.


 Abuse of Power.
 A very interesting chapter of local history transpired last fall that has never been duly recorded in the an nals of current events, which present circumstances demand that the pub lie should become conversant with. The plain and solemn facts are recited with strict regard for the truth, and the records will verify them excepting those of an unwritten character, of which abundant proof can be adduced to substantiate.
 At about noon, on the 4th day of last November, it became apparent that the life of the late J. D. Kitten house was rapidly nearing it's close and in a few hours its sands would run out. But few persons were aware of this sad reality and the people were startled when the announcement was made early the same evening that the will of God was accomplished and the spirit of the good man and kind neigh bor had taken its flight.
 His death was so sudden and un- expected that no preparation was made in his business affairs to meet such an emergency, and his safe con tained large sums of money, aggregat- ing about nine thousands dollars, de posted by various individuals without taking receipts therefor, besides the money pertaining to the merchandis- ing establishment.
 Early upon the morning of the fol- lowing day, while the tears of grief were still fresh upon the cheeks of the bereaved wife, she was visited by par ties who sought by every power of per suasion and even threats, in the very presence of the dead, to induce her to transfer possession of the estate to a person they claimed had already been appointed administrator. It was known to these and undoubtedly to the Probate Judge, Levi Ruggles, that deceased had left will by which the 1 disposal of his estate was abundantly provided for, but this fact was appar- ently ignored. The keys of the store and warehouses were demanded oI NIT. F. c. Calderon, the trusted and confideneial clerk of NIT. Rittenhouse and when he refused to deliver them excepting upon the command of the widow, the demand for them was made of her. The order for their delivery was issued by Probate Judge Lev. Ruggles and the unseemly haste in SC doing-almost before deaths rigidity had asserted itself-excited the indig nation of every one who heard of the outrageous proceeding. But the in dignities perpetrated by this public official did not end here.
 The funeral took place during Sat urday afternoon, November 9th, anc scarcely had the mourning family re turned to their now desolate home be fore warrant of arrest was served or NIT. Calderon, issued out of the Pro bate court. This gentleman protested that he did not hold the keys de manded; had nothing to do with then and that Mrs. Rittenhouse was thei custodian. In less than an hour late Probate Judge Levi Ruggles issued warrant of arrest for Mrs. Rittenhous and placed both warrants in tn hands of the sheriff for execution These warrants were received by tn Sheriff on Saturday afternoon, les than twenty-four hours after BIr. Rit tenhouse died and immediately afte the burial of his remains. The sher;i was very busy with other matters a the time and did not serve the warrants which he considered outrageous, unti the following Monday, when both Mrs RittenhOuse and Mr. Calderon wer conducted