Arizona republican., 1903-07-24
The Alvord-StiIes Case.

torney bound by promises made to criminals by other officers of the law? If, in order to effect the arrest or con- viction of a much wanted fugitive criminal, a sheriff CT other peace of Gcer give assurances of immunity from punishment to other criminals, is the prosecuting arm of the law required by any consideration of honor to observe such assurances? Has, indeed, the prosecuting attorney any right, under his oath of office, to pay any attention to promises made by sheriffs to fugi- uves?
 These are some Of the questions na- turally raised by the prosecution of Burt Alvord and William Stiles at Tombstone for train-robbery by the United States government.
 Alvord and Stiles are notorious crim- inals. That they have been guilty of holding up at least one train, and per haps others, we do not suppose any body doubts. We do not understand that Alvord and Stiles themselves deny their guilt. except when arraigned in court. Certainly no good citizen of Arizona can have any friendly feeling for these desperadoes. But their case Is one of peculiar circumstances, as We understand it. It appears that had it not been for their help Augustin Cha con could not have been apprehended.
 Chacon was one of the worst bad men" that Arizona ever produced. The number of cold blooded murders com mitted by him will never be known Some four years ago, he was convicted of murder in Graham county, and sen tcnced to be hanged. While awaiting execution at Solomonville, he escaped. During the three years that he was at large several other murders-usually of stOrekeepers in isolated communities were charged to ChacOn. Finally, after shrewd detective work by Captain Bur ton Mossman Of the Arizona rangers. and Sheriff Del Lewis of Cochise coun- ty, ChacOn was located in Sonora. Stiles and AlvOrd, during the long per iod in which they were fugitives in Mexico, had run with Chacon to some extent. having effected a friendly un- derstanding with him through that af- finity which draws all criminals to- gether. But Stiles and Alvord had come in" At least one of them had been tried in the territorial courts on the charge of train-robbery, and had been acquitted. Suspecting that they knew considerable about Chacon, Cap tain Mossman arranged with them to lure Chacon across the international line. Mossman had set his heart upon the capture of Chacon. from the mo- ment he took office. Chacon was wanted worse than any criminal had been wanted in the history of the ter ritory. Pursuant to the arrangement with AlvOrd and Stiles, Mossman met the three notorious criminals at an ap- pointed spot. The captain, with weeks growth of beard on his face and dressed for the part, was introduc- ed to ChacOn as safe man" by AL word and Stiles, a man who would aid the trio in stealing a bunch of horses. The party met in the evening. and it was not until after daylight next morn ing that the gallant MOssman dared to undertake ChacOn's capture. The Mex ican desperado was suspicious His vigilance was maintained in the face of all of Mossman's superb acting Final ly each of the party rolled up in his blankets to sleep but Mossman did not dare to close his eyes for an instant. and his rife, cooked. lay on his arm all night. Whether Chacon slept any, he did not know. In the morning, Chacon relaxed his watchfulness for an in stant. Stiles asked him for match with which to light a cigarette. and as he held forth the match he was "cov- ered' by MOssman's rife, and told to throw up his hands. At the same time Stiles also drew a bead on the Mexi- can, and the famous Chacon was prisoner. He was speedily conveyed to the Solomonville jail, once more sen teaced by Judge Dean, and shortly thereafter duly hanged.
 Now. we do not suppose anybody doubts that Stiles and Alvord in help ing to bring Chacon within the pres eacc of Arizona's captain of rangers. felt and understood that they were ap- peasing the law as to their own past They knew, of course, that the United States could prosecute them for rob blng the mails, but they understood that all scores were wiped out by their help in capturing Chacon, and thence forth they went to and fro in Cochise county as other citizens. As a matter of course, District Attorney Nave was never party to any promise of inn munity held out to Alvord and Stiles.