Arizona republican., 1893-06-29
A MURDER. Judge Richards Shot in Defense of a Woman By Her Furious Husband
 Fred Schaeffer. The Entire Left Side of the vic- tim's Head Blown Away. Details of the Bloody Incident and t Some of the Causes Which
 Led Up to 1t.

A bloody tragedy was enacted yester- day morning about o'clock at the res- idence of Fred Schaeffer on the Black canyon road, three miles north of the city, and Judge Richards, an old man of nearly seventy lies at Sohaeffer's house with nearIy the entire left side of his lace shot away, momentarily await Ing death which Is sure to come. Schaetfer is in jail. The tragedy only prevented the more terrible one of uxor- icide, for Richards surrendered his life to save that of Sehaeffer's wife from the fury oi her husband. The deed was the culmination of trouble in the Schaeffer family extending back over 8 period of several months.
 Yesterday morning Schaeffer hitched up his team to come to town and put. ting his shotgun in his wagon, drove to Bob Archer's road house half mile north. In few minutes he returned and told his wife he would bring hls little boy along with him to town. She objected, saying he was not dressed to go, and the quarrel began which de. veloped into a struggle in which Rich ards mildly interfered. Schaeffer ran to his wagon and got his shotgun and his wife ran towards the hoase. As her husband approached with the leveled gun she eprang into the house and begged Richards to not let him shoot her. The old man tried to pre- vent his entrance, but the murderous husband with an oath ordered him to stand aside. It is also said that Rich ards seized the muzzle, but al any rate the weapon was discharged and Rich ards fell. The frightened woman ran through the house into the yard and her husband seeing her again leveled the gun at her but it missed fire. Schaei- fer got into his wagon, drove back to Archer's and said, "I wish you would come down; Jim's dead" ''How did he dIes" inquired Archer" 1T shot him." said Schaeffer. "but didn't mean to and I'm awful sorry"
 AS they approached Schaeffer's house Archer noticed slight movement by the old man as he lay in the yard and got out of the wagon. Schaeffer be- lisying the murder had been fully con summated, came on to the city to give himself up.
 Sheriff Murphy in the meantime had heard uf the tragedy and was on his way out. He proceeded to the house and was told by Mrs. Schaeffer how the shooting had occurred. She also said that her husband had frequently threat ened to kill her and four times had at- tempted to do SO or at least to in- flict serious injury, but at each time Richards had interiered. A few days before he swore he wonld brain her and strnck at her with single-tree, which Richards warded off. At that time Schaeffer told the old man that if he ever interiered again, he would kill him.
 Schaeffer was not communicative im- medistely after being placed in jail and refused 10 speak of the bloody incident. In the couse of the afternoon, however, he evolved two foundations for plea in extenuation.
 He hinted that an intimacy had ex- isted between his wife and Richards, g hint which lost him whatever sympathy might have been felt for him by the jail officials. Later story of self de- fense was produced; he had he said been worsted in a struggle with his wife and Richards who were beating him severely.
 He asked that he might have his lit- tie boy with him in jail.
 SchaeffeP is native of Ohio but has been on the coast for many years. Be- tore coming to Arizona he lived in Cali fornia where he acquired great deal Of property. Since living here he has met with many Teverses and has grown morose and ill-tempered and is con siderd a disagreeable neighbcr. His wife is much younger. The trouble be- tween them is said to have grown out of her refusal to sign q deed to the ranch on which they live.
 Richards, the victim, is also a native oi Ohio, and was iorty-niner. For many years he was a justice ot the peace in this precinct and held the office until old age and intirmitles com pelled him to give it up. He was re- moved to the hospital and Ho thoroughly disappeared from notice that many supposed he was dead until they heard of the tragedy yesterday morning and | learned that he had been living with the SchaefFers for the past two years; ., Sheriff Murphy returned frsm visit ] to him about nine o'clock last night and said he was lying in stupor past ati hope of recovery. Dr. Walker, who at- tended him, regards his death as abso' l,1saly cprtaiu