Arizona weekly citizen., 1895-04-06
COL. MORTON'S DEATH
Killed by a Chiuaman Over a
 $500 Debt.
a Q1eer Murder. Speedy Punishment of the Perpetrator of the
 Crime.

f The Can8nea region, where Col. R. F , Morton was killed by Chinaman few
 days ago, has the highest mountains the best mines aId the most dangerouI
 reputation of ali Sonora. From almos , every foot of its trails a knife or pisto
 could be presented against a mans
 body before danger was suspected. Co
 Morton was the third man killed over
 finances of the CGnanea property, two
 mining men having come to untimely
 ends growing out of that same property
 The telegraphic report was to the
 effect that Col. Morton was killed un-
 intentionally, the Chlnaman having fired at the uperintendent. Then an-
 other report was published that tie Chinaman had owned the mines and shot
 Morton because he did not get his
 money.
 The facts in the case are as fol'ows: Col. Morton effected the sale of the old Cananea smelter and group of six
 mines the price being S20, ,000 in gold,
 which was paid, "Jim" the Chinese was made watchman at the property by the former management. When Col Morton arrived few days ago to take charge Jim told him that be had been watching there, and that s300 was due to him. For fact his watching had been very lax indeed. Everything portable was gone, even to the doors and windows. But Jim claimed the $500; and not to be bothered with him nor liking his | looks, nor wanting him around, Col. Morton agreed to pay him.
 Il have not the money with me now Jim," he said, "next time l come l pay you. Sabe?"
 J m assanted.
 Two or three weeks later, or few days ago, Morton had returned. He had with hIm a little over S5O0 in Mexican silver.
 To one mau, named Moreno, be owed $500 beside S25 to q party named .SalsZar. To Moreno be paid the S0OO. besides the other bIis, when he recalled Jim's claim. He asked Moreno to take S200 ln silver and check for the balance, as he wanted to pay the Chinaman. When Jim presented himself he was busy with supplies and told the men Co come arOund in the morning. He'll pay you in the morning Jim," explained Harley and the CbinBman went away.
 HOW THE MURDER WAS DONE.
 Col. Morton was sitting at the table at the boarding house the next morning. He was making eutries in hs memOr andum book of expen es. He had written
 Salazar. p Harley. y........ ....... 20 Jim 800
 And Jim was there, but not for his money. Standing in the kitchen door, with Morton unconscious of his presence he was holding 45 Colt gun in hands; and trem bling like a leaf. He pulled the trigger and all was over with Mort | on. The bullet entered behind the right ear. Death was almost instantan eous.
 h Mexico they are peculiar in their laws according tn our American nations, but to their credit be it said they are prompt Morton's life was worth a thousand of the Chinaman's but the Chinaman had only one life to pay. That he paid promptly. Jim has been dead nearly as iong as Morton. He was seized and placed in a tunnel awaiting the arrival of the judge of the district. The judge arrived and examin ed the matter. Tie Chinaman was ordered to Ari-pe, the county seat, in American parlance. He was ordered off under guards, the guards We'll armed. The guards went away with very good opinion of the son of the murdered man. That was the last sesn of Jim. Dead men tell no tales. It is said he attempted to escape and the guards shot him. He never got to Arisps. His end was that of his vi0tim's So much for Mexican justice. Besides about this time the governor of Sonora had sent word to act promptly in the matter.
 Meanwh the body of Morton had been lying in the house just as it fell for 34 hours. Another feature of Mexican law is that body in such circumstances must first be viewed by the judge or coroner. Word h been seat to San Pedro, 24 miles away, to the judge there, and he sent word to have anoth- 1T judge brought. So on the arrival of the messenger there was another trip in another direction for the judge in ques- tion, 36 miles away. Here was another terrible delay. At last the judge arrived and viewed the body. It was placed in red wood box, prepared during the day. So precipitOus are the mountains of Canauea, that to bury him in a level place they had to carry the coffin two miles and half. There it was tender ly inferred, without services, of course. Still another foreign feature in this sad affair will com. up that is peculiar. The bringing of dead body from Mex Ico into the United States is next to i'm possible. It IS probably an exaggera- ton Of requirements against the spread of infection. < metallic casket is at No gales, Arizone, for the body, In case of its eXDortarion IS permitted or attained The governor of Sonora has been peti- tiOned to permit the return of the body, but Is held by iron clad laws on the question.
 Young Morton wanted to interview | the murderer of his father. Before this was permitted his pistol, shot gun on his saddle, and even his pocket knife
 were taken from him. he then walked up to the tunnel and cursed bim. The Chinaman grinned, as young Morton described it, more like an ape than | human being. When asked why he kill | Morton, he sad hs "didn't know." The mining enterprise will be pushed through, notwithstanding Col. Mortons lamentable death. P. H. A RACE FOR WEALTH.