Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1897-02-19
SHERIFF LESLIE DOW KILLED
The Sheriff of Eddy County Shot to
Death Last Night by Concealed
Murderers Who Make Good
Their Escape.
A VERY COWARDLY ASSASSINATION
The Governor Offers $500 Each for the
Capture and Conviction of the
Murderers.

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Murderers.
Governor Thornton received a telegram
this morning from Deputy Sheriff Arm
strong, of Eddy, announcing the killing
last night of Sheriff Dow.
Sheriff Dow was elected to the position
that he held at the time of his death, last
November, but had previously served
as deputy, in which capacity he had
been active in the prosecution of cattle
thieves, which GLASS of criminals abound
in that section of the territory. By his
brave and manly course, in the discharge
OF his duty, in upholding the cause of law
and order, he incurred the bitter enmity
of the outlaws which he endeavored to
suppress, and upon more than one occa-
sion his life has been threatened.
The telegram to Gov. Thornton reads as
follows:
Gov. W. T. Thornton.
Eddy, N. NJ, Feb. 19.-Sheriff Dow was
killed last night. Shooter escaped.
ARMSTRONG.
Later in the day Mr.. A. G. Campbell re.
ceived message from E. o. Faulkner,
of Eddy, stating that Sheriff Dow died
from his wounds this morning. The
telegram adds that it was cowardly and
unprovoked assassination. by two men
concealed between buildings, shortly
after dark, and offers the suggestion that
the governor should offer a reward for
the arrest and conviction of the mur der
ers. Acting upon this suggestion the
governor has decided to offer such re.
ward in the sum of $500 for each men,
and a proclamation to this effect will be
issued tomorrow. Concerning the kill
ing the governor says:
"Dow was brave and efficient officer,
and very popular man. He always did
his duty, and it was in performance of
his duty that he made enemies among the
criminal classes, two members of which
are responsible for his death. will is.
sne proclamation tomorrow offering a
reward of $500 each for the arrest and
conviction of his cowardly murderers.
A dispatch to the New Mexican from
Eddy this afternoon, gives further par
ticulars of the killing, as follows:
Eddy, N. NJ, Feb. 10, 1S97.-Ye yesterday
evening about 6:45 p. M, Sheriff j. L.
Dow was assassinated on Fox street, in
Eddy. He was coming from the bank
building; when almost in front of the Ar
gus Office he was shot by one of two men,
who were concealed in the doorway of
building, and who evidently had been in
waiting for him. Two shots were fired,
only one taking effect. The ball entered
at the left corner of the mouth, shattered
the jawbope, and passed out at the back
of the neck. The pistol was held quite
close, as his face was powder burned.
Immediately after the shooting the parties
ran past the Office and turned down into
the alley. Mr.. Dow staggered across the
street, finally sinking down in front of
the O K restaurant, from where he was
carried into Blackmore's drug store. His
wound was dressed and later he was re-
moved to his home. It was not thought
at the time that the wound was fatal, but
he only survived until early this morning,
dying about 7 O'Clock. While nothing
positive has been announced, it is
thought the men were recognized by Mr..
Dow, and that they are also known to the
officers, and that arrests will follow soon.
pow's CAREER IN NEW MEXICO.
Sheriff Leslie Dow, who was shot to
death last evening on the principal busi-
ness thoroughfare of Eddy, was typical
Texas cowboy, brave, quick in quarrel, a
hard fighter and exceedingly gun handy.
He was a native of San Saba, Texas,
where for several years he led an irregu-
lar life among the cattlemen of Texas.
He came to New Mexico in 1888, and To-
Gated ID Lincoln county, from the first be-
coming identified with cattle interests of
that section of the territory, and drifting
from one occupation to another in this
line, until elected sheriff of Eddy county
last November. He was involved in sew
eral fatal quarrels, before leaving Texas,
and had earned the reputation of gun
fighter, which he seemed to enjoy. His
first affair in the territory was at Seven
Rivers, now part of Eddy county, where
in the spring Of 1890 he shot and killed
Zack Light, man with whom he became
involved in a dispute and who was "a bad
man."
He was the leader of the posse that
klIou DUO mays, uOtou uecpoTbuUS buu
member of the celebrated Black Jack
gang, in the Animas valley, about two
months since.
Dow had been an inspector for the
Western Texas Cattle association, also
for the New Mexico Southeastern Cat
tie association, and has served term
as deputy U. 8. marshal. He was elect
ed sheriff OF Eddy county last No
vsmber, and since taking Office has
made things lively for the rustlers, who
have frequently threatened to kill him.
They claimed that he exceeded his au-
thority, and went out of his way to perse-
cute them. It is generally supposed that
his assassins belonged to the class known
as rustlers, but there 10 no positive evi-
dencs on this point, which future develop
ments alone must decide.
Later.-David L. Kemp, ex-sheriff of
Eddy county, and William Kennon were
arrested this morning for implication in
the murder.