Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1896-05-15
FRANK DAVENPORT MURDERED.

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Frank A. Davenport was found last
week Wednesday, about two miles
from bis ranch, south Of Separ; dead,
having been murdered.
George Sublet, formerly OF Gold
Hill, has been working for Davenport.
He returned to the ranch Monday, af-
ter an absence Of several days. The
place looked as though it had been
deserted for several days, but 1t was
not In the shape in which Davenport
generally left 1t when he intended to
be gone for some days. The wagon
and team we're gone.
Subjects suspicious were aroused
and he decided to investigate. He
followed the wagon trail and about
two miles from the ranch found the
team stalled and half starved, the
wagon was loaded with wood. A few
Vrds behind the wagon, alongside
the track, be found DaVenport's dead
body.
He took the body, aided by II. e.
Jackson, to Deming, where IL was
found that he had been shot, the bull
let going a little to the left Of the cen
ter Of the breast and passing clear
through the body, probably causing
instant death. The doctors thought
the man had been dead six or seven
days, which would make the date Of
the murder about April Both or May
1st. On the body was found his six
shooter, watch and about twenty dol
lars, showing conclusiyely that the
object of the murder was not rob-
berry.
Frank Davenport vas a mar about
1fty years cid, most Of which years
had been spent on the frontier. His
only known relatives are two sisters,
living in Massachusetts,. He had &C.
cumulated a comfortable property,
being the owner Of several hundred
head Of cattle. Living so much by
himself he had, like many other men
similarly situated, become somewhat
eccentric. He was a good citizen and
was universally respected and liked
by all who knew him aud did business
with him. 1t is not known that he
had an enemy in The world, but he
claimed he had. However, the men
he thought we're his enemies were not
the ones who killed him, for they are
not in the country.
Some two years ago young 1odgdon
Of Deming and a Mexican boy, who
were working for Davenport, we're
found murdered on the range. Dav-
export always thoughtthey were mur-
dered by COW thieves whom the boys
had accidentally caught while brand
ing. Three men were accused OF the
murders, but not enough evidence
could be got to hold them. One OF
these men is dead, the other two are
in Texas.
Davenport has often told his friends
that this same gang Of rustlers would
get him. He always was on the watch
for them, and constantly went armed.
He bought a shot gun this spring, to
use il his house was attacked.
Judging FROM what has been since
learned it is very probable that young
Hodgdon and the Mexican 10y were
killed by the Kid. A horse owned by
the Diamond A, which has been stolen
several times, with a horse from Car
retas, was left near the company
ranch on Deer creek, and two horses,
one of which had been staked out and
the other hobbled, were stolen. This
was a few days before the boys were
killed. A few days later these horses
were found at Hudson's ranch, which
is not far from the place where they
were killed. A day OF so later two
horses were stolen from Holmig broth
ers' ranch. About a week later the
Kid killed. man'on;E Eagle creek. One
Of the Holpigs' horses was afterwards
found on Eagle creek. Taking this
combination of circumstances into
consideration 1t is very probable that
the Kid was in the vicinity of the
murder about the time it was commit.
ted. A squaw vas afterward cap.
tured from the Kid, and in relating
her adventures told about the Kid
killing a white boy and a Mexican neal
the Hachltas at about the time these
boys were killed. Undoubtedly this
double murder, which has long been
charged to COW thieves, was really the
work Of the Kid
1t is reported that.a green lieuten-
ant named Averlll, Just out from West
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