Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1907-09-20
CAUGHT IN THE ACI
WIRE GLAD TO SETTLE
An Example Made of Persons Caught
Trespassins on the Capitol Grounds.


Martin Connors and his step-son,
Billy Brown, were caught at it last
night, and paid the panelty which was
stiff enough, though il would have
been worse if the persons the trap was
laid for had been unprecedented
The subject of discourse is the Cap
itol grounds. with particular reference
to the 1907 crop Of dates that has been
cared for 50 tenderly TO this time. and
which the territorial officials propose
shall have chance 10 mature. regard
less of the expense. Much has been
written about the warnings against
trespass on the Capitol ground. in the
stealing of fruits and flowers, but sign
buarCs and even newspaper warnings
fail 10 restrain some people. Only the
iron hand of the law makes them
finch.
This year the date trees are bearing
splendidly and there are many fine
looking punches of dates now ap
preaching maturity. But as usual, the
grounds have been invaded at night by
trespassers and some of the fruit TAX
en-. Not long ago somebody drove out
in a carriage one night and cut off two
big punches. Then the board of con-
troll took hand. Superintendent Smith
encased the punches of fruit in muslin
bags both as an aid To ripening, and as
protection against birds and the
passers-by, who were prone to pick
the fruit little handful at time and
the board employed Florencio Perez as
q special deputy TO stand guard and
arrest anybody caught picking the
fruit While the small boys have al
ways been something of a nuisance it
was apparent also that the culprits in
cluded some people who did not have
1" steal. who knew better. and who had
something more than appetite or Curl
osity TO satisfy. Small boys and vag-
abOnds seldom drive round in carria
ges and it is the purpose of the board
To give publicity to any person appre-
hended whether he be a common seal
awag, or d high toned sinner. In the
raising of these dates there are other
purposes in view than the mere get
ting of a little fruit once a year and
the trees are to be given all the pro-
lection that money and territorial in
fluence can bring TO bear.
For several nights Deputy Perez has
watched in vain. but last night he
to jail and they were Immediately ar
raigned before Justice tombstone. They
pleaded guilty Immediately and said
they were willing to square the thing
any way they could. 1t was not mat
ter Of money with them. but mere Gu
riosity gratffied without approaching
the enormity of the offense: viewing
the act merely as anyone would who
stole an apple or watermelon grow
ing on an open lot. temptingly near at
a time when he had a good appetite
COnnOrs said he never knew until last
night that there were any dates there,
and only knew it then when the boy
told him about il and asked him to 60
by the Capitol on the way home and
get a few for the novelty of the thing.
He did so and reaching UP, he picked a
handful and was about to step back
when the officer touched him on the
arm and told him he was under arrest.
He was very much surprised but came
TO town without resistance. pleaded
guilty and took his medicine. UnQues-
tiOnably, he is not one of the persons
who have been making the trouble
heretofore and one OF whom it was
much desired might be caught. Still.
Connors will know better next time.
and the incident may be a general
warning to the public that will wipe
out this evil. The Capitol grounds, and
particularly the date trees on them.
are about as near sacred as anything
can be in Arizona. and will be pre-
tected to the last drop of blood in the
territorial treasury.