Arizona republican., 1905-10-25

assert that the Daggs brothers elected them from their office on the second floor of the MOnihon block about 3 o'clock last evening, throwing them roughly down the stairway, bruising them and tearing their clothing in the scuffle; also threatening them with a revolver.
 Deputy Sheriffs Cunningham and King went to the Daggs' family home on North Seventh street about 10 o'clock last night and took A. J. Daggs into custody His brother was down town and was arrested at home later in the night by Deputy Sheriff Gun ningham. It is understood that bail bonds had been fixed at $1,500 each, but owing to the lateness of the hour it is doubtful if the bond was secured last night. though they claim to have ample security to offer.
 The elder girl, Marie, is woman of mature age, being in the twenties, and the younger girl, Esther, claims to be sixteen years old, though one of the men arrested said she celebrated her seventeenth birthday some months ago. The girls reside with their par ents on Van Buren street, just east of College place. The younger girl was employed in the office of Daggs Brothers for several days last week. or. according to Esther's story to Jus tice Johnstone, until Saturday night, when they allege an affront was offered to Esther and she left the office, g being due her for her services in folding papers. She also says there were preceding incidents in which she was offered and rejected money on condi- ton that she would not speak of cer- tain occurrences to others. She says she was afraid to speak of the matter to anyone but her relatives, and that yesterday she decided to go and collect the $2 due her, but being afraid of the Daggses took along her elder sister for protection.
 When they reached the room she says A. J. Daggs tried to lock the door at which Marie protested, when Daggs grabbed hold of her throat to throw her into the hall. Esther then flew to the relief of her sister, when R. E, Daggs took hold of her, A. J. Daggs by that time having been enabled to get a revolver from his desk. In the scuffle that ensued both girls were thrown or at least precipiJately showed down the stairway. The older girl has a. severe confusion on her head as evidence the clothing of the younger girl was badly torn.
 While this was going on the girls very naturally screamed and their cries were overheard by at least two men. one being Earl Porter, of the Porter Saddlery Co.,, and the other be- ing an employe Of the harness shop. Mir Porter at once ran to the foot of the stairway and started to go up stairs, when A. J. Daggs, who was at the head of the stairs, called to him and warned him not to advance. Nat urally MT. Porter halted, and particu- larly as the girls had then been releas- ed.
 The girls went home as soon as they could and soon after the younger one went to the office of Dr. Foss, who happens to be the presiding officer of a lodge to which she belongs. Dr. Foss listened to her story, then sent for Assistant District Attorney Bullard and he in turn sent for Justice John stone. The story was repeatedly told to each of these men, and, as one or them remarked last night, 1t did not vary materially in any relation oI IL.
 when seen at the court house last night. previous to his brothers appre- bension A. J. Daggs said that while the girls were not thrown down stairs they were elected from his office and as he believed, with good reason. He said he admitted that he was not gen. tie in his manner for he was very an very angry. He said the girls came to the office on a blackmailing enterprise; that there was no money due Esther as all the employees of the office were paid regularly every Saturday night. He said he had been in California for four months and had just returned nome last Sunday having never seen the girls before that he could recall or at least the older one. He said 1t was not usually a good plan for a man ar rested on such a charge to talk but the incident was so cold blOoded that he believed it would be better to talk free lv. He said the facts were that his brother had been blackmailed for sometime by the smaller girl, and that while ne was not here he had knOwl- edge Of the fact. He said that some time ago she had demanded a sum of money. She was settled with cOndt- tionally; that she was to sign a certain document. which he says he will pro- duce when the time comes, and that at a later date she was to receive more money; that she came to the office yes terday to collect the balance of the blackman money from his brother and that he was so incensed that he resist ed and threw them out of the office.
 He says the owner of the building was nearby and must nave heard the conversation, and another young wom- an who is employed in the office was near the foot of the stairs when the scuffle took place. Concerning the re- volver episode he said he had no gun and had not owned one for eight years.