Arizona republican., 1901-05-07
CRAZY MANS CRIME
Murdered Two Men Without Prov oca.
 tion, at Scottsdale.

A most brutal tragedy occurred yes terday about l2 o'clock at the ranch of Chaplain Scott of Scottsdale, about ten miles northeast of Phoenix, when John Ruhenstein shot and killed. almost in- stantly and without provocation Amos Nigh and an Indian named Peter John son. both of whom were employed by Chaplain Scott.
 Rubenstelu. who is well-known in Phoenix az Popcorn John." is un- doubtedly crazy. though he has hitherto been looked upon as eccentric ana cratic but responsible for his actions. and was at the time in the employ of the government as a mail carrier. He is now in the county jail awaiting the outcome of his horrible and inhuman crime. The story of the episode follows;
 Rubenstein some time ago secured a,he contract for carrying the mail be- tween Phoenix and Scottsdale. He makes his trip out from Phoenix in the morning. returning in the afternoon, and during his stay at Scottsdaie during the noon hour it has been his practice to hitch his horse in Chaplain Scotts yard while he ate his lunrh. Yesterday Mr. Scott had Vernon NanderhoOf Amos Nigh and the Indian, Peter John son. working for him and engaged in hauling hay from the field to the stack in the yard referred to. Relations be- tween Rubenstcin aHl the men working for Mr. Scntt have heretofore been tho most friendly and no altercation of any kind has ever C,curted HD far as can be learned.
 Chaplain Scott who Is suffering with a broken leg. was taken out in the yard on a cot in the morning. and at twenty minutes before 10 he noticed that Ru- henstein had arrived some forty min utes ahead of his usual time. About that time the men came with load of hay. which they unloaded. took Mir. Scott irto the house and again went to the field At the end of the return trip the unloked for and shocking murders took place. Nanderhoof was riding on the load of hay and driving Nigh and the Indian were walking behind. Some minutes before the yard was reached Rubenstein had hitched up his cart and started out of the yard Something went wrong with the neck yoke and Vanderhoof called to Nigh to come and fix it. He did sn. and while thus en- gagged Rubenstein rode by in his cart and. calling to Nigh. said You are my friend. are you?' Nigh called back: "Oh yes" Rubensteln drove through the gate and out into the road, where he met the Indian and killed him. He must have put the gun close up to his breast and fired, for when Johnsons body was found later his clothing was on fire. The shot that killed Johnson attracted no attention. az hunters had been shooting rabbits in the vicinity all day.
 Rubenstein then returned to Nigh. al the haystack. on foot. Nigh be- ing engaged in unhitchng the horses and with his back turned toward the murderer who placed the pistol close to his back and fired. Mrs. Scott saw Rubenstein point his weapon at Nigh the instant he fired Rubenstein then ran to his cart. his horse having started down the road He got into the cart and drove to the post office.
 Mrs. Scott ran to Nigh and said What Is the matter?" He answered I'm shot" To Mir. Vanderhoof, stil on the wagon, in answer to the sam, question. he said He shot me" Nigh