The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-04-03
THORNTON'S FATE.
Victim of an Assassin's
Bullet.
DISCOVERY OF THE BODY.
Found on the Lonely Trail to Hook
ers Springs by His Brother,
Crittenden Thornton.
Special to THE MORNING CALL


FORT GRANT, AriZ., April 2.-The re-
mains Of Harry l. Thornton Jr. were found
Friday six miles from the San Pedro River
on the trail leading TO the Hooker Hot
Springs. He had been murdered by rifle
shot through the skull, fired from the left
side and slightly behind. Death must have
been instantaneous. The body was robbed.
The police have excellent clews, which they
desire 10 keep private until the arrest of
the murderer.
All doubt has now been dispelcd about
the fate OF Harry |. Thorton, son Of ex-
Justice of the Supreme Court Thornton.
For some years young Harry Thornton
has been in the stock business in Arizona
and 1t was his desire TO become a rich cattle
man, as he believed that a fortune was to
be quickly acquired in that way in Arizona.
About ten months ago he was In this city
for short time, but soon after left to look
after his cattle interests. He went to as
sumo charge of band of cattle in which
he was interested and drove them down the
San Pedro River. The work was not new
to him, but lie had never before attempted
such a large drive.
During his absence he always managed
TO communicate weekly with his father and
mother, and all of his letters showed that he
was in excellent health and meeting with
great success.
Suddenly, in November last, his letters
ceased, and as months went by and no word
was heard CT the young man, who was only
Y years old, the greatest fears began to be
entertained of his safety. Still it was
hoped that nothing serious had happened to
aim. D. l.,.I l. - : 1 6
the country. and was far from both the mail
and the telegraph. But as month after
month rolled by. and no tidings were heard
of the missing man. the father and mother
OF young Thornton became convinced that
something was wrong, and that their son
must be hunted up.
Communications were sent to certain mer-
chants in Wilcox. instructing them to send
out traiers to hunt up the young cattle
man, but after many weeks it was found
that the searches made proved fruitless.
The only response was, I'VE have found no
trace of your son."
This last place to which young Thornton
had been traced was Meyers ranch, which
place he left in November last, about the
time his parents received the last letter.
He stated that he was bound for the
Hooker Hot Springs. The country he pro-
posed to traverse is very rough part Of
Arizona, and in the mountains in the
vicinity resides the famous Indian bandit
known as the Kid.
The springs which Thornton proposed TO
visit are but twenty miles from Meyers
ranch yet after he left nothing was heard
or seen of him.
Later came information that County
Assessor Patton, after returning from an
assessing tour down the SAP Pedro River,
had reported that they had encountered a
band of cattle that proved to be part of the
st1ek yoppg 1horston had taken out with
him. The cattle were strayirg at will over
the hills.
The family of the missing man finally
concluded that more energetic measures
should be taken to ascertain the truth, as
the strain on the father and mother was
something terrible.
So several weeks ago Critenden Thorn
ton, brother Of Harry /. Thornton Jr., de-
termined to undertake the search for his
brother in person. Accordingly he made
arrangements for a most thorough search
and started for Arizona. Outside Of several
letters reporting progress nothing was heard
from him until the dispatch of yesterday
setting all doubts at rest.
L
pletely Frustrated at the reception of the
news, aud were so overcome with grief as
to be unable to be interviewed.
City and County Attorney Cresswell,
cousin of the murdered man. and who in
conjunction with Crittenden Thornton has
taken part in the endeavor to ferret out the
fate of Harry l. Thornton. was seen last
night and questioned as to what further
news had been received,
YES" he said, "the poor young man has
been fOully dealt with. although l thought
otherwise all along for l have known men
to be missing in Arizona for very long
periods and always hope against hope.
ut Is only a few hours since / received a
dispatch which was sent from Justice
Thornton to me. He had received it from
Crittenden Thornton, and it is similar to
the one you show me.
Several days ago a letter was received
from Crittenden Thornton stating that he
had obtained a number Of scouts frem the
Government at Fort Grant and intended to
make search that would result in the dis
coveIy Of the truth one way or another.
He also had the assistance Of the soldiers.
That he discovered the truth Is seen
from the dispatch which the father of the
murdered man received today. The reason
that the dispatch was not received until to-
day, Sunday, while the discovery was made
on Friday last, is because the party were
away from telegraphic communication and
had to travel far to reach the wires.
THE dispatch 10 Justice Thornton stated
that the identification had been complete.
What condition the body was in can only be
conjectured. But the proof that the re-
mains were those of young Thornton was
made certain by the discovery of a number
of letters, and among them were some
which he had received from his parents in
this city,"
Harry l. Thornton .Jr. was born and
raised in California. He was a graduate of
the Hastings College of the Law, but did
not take to active practice. In Cleveland's
first administration he was deputy under
Sub-Treasurer Brooks and afterward held
similar position in the Internal Revenue
office. When Cleveland was defeated young
Thornton went to Arizona, where he had
been interested in cattle up TO the time OF
his death.
There is no doubt that the family of tie
murdered man will take the most vigorous
steps to bring the slayers of Harry /. Thorn
ton TO justice. The family is powerful and
influential one, and money will not be
spared to find and punish the assassin who
sent the bullet which laid young Thornton
to his last sleep on the burning sands of
Arizona.
ROCKS AHEAD OF RIVERSIDE.
The Path of the New County Filled
With 1 eoaI 0hctorIac