Arizona weekly journal-miner., 1889-09-04
FLAGSTAFF HOMICIDE.
J. M Griffith, a Rancher, Killed by
 Mat Black.

On yesterday, as we were going to. press. one Preserved Wheeler brought
 to town the startling intelligence that
 James M. Grifi th had been killed by
 some unknown party. We at once got
 in shape, and repaired to the scene of
 action, some four and one-half miles
 southeast of town, where we found
 twenty-five persona gathered. Justice
 Wcatherford summoned jury of six
 men to hold an inquest over tho dead
 body. Dr. Brannen made an exami-
 nation of the wound that brought tho
 deceased to an sntimely grave. Tho
 bullet that caused the death of tho
 dead man had entered tho left eye and
 passed through the head, coming out
 at the foot of the brain behind. We
 give the evidence that was taken before
 the coronsr's jury in as near the sub
 stance ss we can. Edward Kirby was
 the only eye witness to the shooting,
 and he testified that he camped there
 last night and was at breakfast this
 morning at about g o'clock. MT. Grif-
 filth came up from the west side of my
 camp. l saw him first about 40 yards
 from my camp. He rode to where
 was sitting and asked if l had seen any horses around here. I answered no. l asked him to take breakfast with me, and he said no he had breAkfast, but would get down, as he thought he heard horse neigh to the west of him. He had alightsd about five minutes when Mat Black came riding from the west. Black said good morning. and addressing Griffith, asked him if he, Black, was the long nosed - he was looking fori You say we stole your bells, and what you have said about me l want you to take back in the presence of this man (Kirby). Griffith said, Mat Black, I did not say you stols my bells; and Griffith got up and started toward his horse, as though he aimed to get his gun, and when abreast of his horse he (Grifith) said "with your gun shoot away" Black said, if you pull that gun will shoot the living - out of you. Grif- filth made move like he aim d to get his gun, and few seconds intervened and Griffith moved as if ts get his 6 nn and Black shot, killing Griffith in- Griffithis horse ran of, and l caught him and brought him back. l think Griffith tired to draw his gun. did not see him put his hand on the gun, but saw him reach toward the gun. Black was of his horse when he shot, and rode of after the shooting. They were about p feet apart. Grif- fith did not speak after he was shot. Griffiths gun was in . scabbard.
 There were other witnesses examined, put their testimony was as to state ments made by the deceased and the to the witnesses prior to the killing. The coroner's jury rendered inc following verdict, to-wit:
 eve, the jury empsnneled and ct- ng in the inqest on the body of J. N. Griffith, who now lies here dead. find rom the evidence adduced that the aid M. Griffith came to his death by gun shot wound. Further we find that the said shot was fired by one NJ at Black"
 The deceased was about 45 years of 'ge, and leaves x wife, a daughter 15 'ears of age, and a son of IT years. Nr. Black is an unmarried man about F years o! age. We know nothing against the character of either of the parties, but it is lsmentA blsaffair. and me deplored by the friends of both parties. The deceased was Mason in ,ood standing in that order. The 'urisl will take place this afternoon at he old cemetery.-Flsgstsff Democrat, uy 20fh