The copper era., 1903-07-23
,n,n,nnr,r,rn,,.,r,,,,,,...,....,.n,.n.....rr,
]. OLD-TIME SKETCHES }
tIttIigIiIIr
IIIIIIIItgIE

7itiiiiiiiii
 I, was about the middle Of the sos when Myer C. Zllic was governor of Arizona that a fearful murder was committed in Yavapai county. TFe circumstances and the case were so horrible and peculiar that l thought it would be of interest to few of the old timers that are still residing in the territory.
 old man Cleavinger and wife had fine cattle ranch somewhere in Gra- ham county. They had a daughter, or rather -tep-daughter. After selling theIr ranch and cattle for seven thous- and dollars, they retained their herd Of horses. two wagons and harness and started for the northern part Of the territory. They had two men to help them-onc q negro by the name of Johnson and white man by the name of Wilson The negro drove the herd Of horses and Wilson drove the six horse team. with a trail wagon. The young woman came into Prescott and fold the authorities that d murder had been committed. She said that the negro had struck old man Cleavin- ger with an ax, and had also killed Mrs. CicavinGer; that they, Johnson and Wilson had dug grave near where the crime occurred, and buried them, and then built q fire over the grave to obliterate the marks; that Johnson had taken all the loose horses and one-half the money and gone away: that Wilson had made her live with him, and they were then travel ing she knew not where.
 The officers caught Wilson and he said that Johnson forced him to do the work with him. After securing Ari- zoua Johnson was captured, and the case finally came on for trial in Pres colt. The woman swOre that Johnson followed the old man into the brush and struck him with an aX, and Wilson killed the poor old woman in the tent, but on cross examination she told a different story, and her evidence was so mixed that it was hard matter to get the straight of her story. But the men were convicted on her evi- dcnce, and were sentenced to be hung. Tt was an interesting trial, for there was no evidence except that of the woman, but as she had given them away she had the sympathy of the court and the people.
 Finally the time came for the exc cutIon. The night before the eXecu- tion the prisoners called for deck of cards. and it was agreed to play q game of seven up, the man who lost was to confess that he alone did the killing and forced the other into it.. In that way it was thought that one to be no draw out, as it meant life or death for one. Each took a solemn oath to do justice to the other if he lost. ! They commenced the game and al and it was chilly the perspratiOn ! fairly rolled from the two murdere rs. ! The negro won, and on the scatfOld the l next day Wilson came to the front and made a confession. He told that he ] had forced Johnson to assist him, but l that he alone did the killing. that the girl was innocent. and that he was ready to take his punishment. That ! made another sensation. After mature dolibcration Governor Zulic saved the ncgro's neck by committing his sen tcnce to life imprisonment. Wilson took the drop and paid his dues in this world, but | think he will be called up some time in the next. Johnson, whose luck was Tn the cards, was in the pcnjtcntiary a few years and was pardoncd out by Governor Erwin.
 C RS