Bisbee daily review., 1907-05-01
ARIZONA RANGER ExONERATED
 IF CHARGES
Story to the Effect that Holmes Used Unnecessary Cruelty In the Arrest of Negro Bald win Is DiSproyed.

A story was placed in circulation ome time ago and found its way into print in certain quarters, very dis paraging to the reputation of Ranger Holmes, the officer who arrested William Baldwin near Roosevelt, when suspicion lodged against him as being guilty of the murder of Mrs. Harvey Morris and daughter, anu Tor enc of which crimes he has since been convicted and sentenced to be hanged, says the Arizona Republican.
 It was charged that he maltreated his prisoner, dragged him by the neck with rope and otherwise abused him in most inhuman way. The charges soon found their way to the governor who proceeded to investigate them He referred the matter to Captain Wheeler for report and st the same time he requested the reclamation of ficials who are very largely in charge of affairs at Roosevelt to inquire into the charges and report as a matter of mutual interest in good government and good crder. The request was Ior- warded through the office of Supervis- ing Engineer Hill, to Constructing Engineer smith at Roosevelt That of ficial reported to his superior and copy of his findings was transmitted to the governor. It is now maue puo- lie and is as follows:
 Department of the Interior,
 U. s. G. s. Reclamation Service.
 Roosevelt, Ariz., April 16, 1907. Mr. Louis c. Hill, Supervising Engi-
 neer, U. s. Reclamation Service,
 Roosevelt, Arizona:
 Dear Sir: In reply to SuEfs oI April II. enclosing copy of letter from Capt Wheeler, I would say that Ranger Holmes was not guilty of any extreme or any brutality to the negro Baldwin. Any report that he was guilty of such is a gross and a will full exaggeration.
 Immediately after finding the bod ies, Holmes went for Baldwin, who was in the yard adjacent to the house occupied by c, p. Hill Baldwin was rather obstinate and did not seem in- clined to submit to arrest; moTeos CT, he had a shot gun standing close at hand Holmes hit him once o. twice with a light tin dipper, over the head, and 1 think knocked him down with his fist during the process of hand cuffing him. After the arrest was ef- fected Holmes did not hit him. Holmes put rope around Baldwin's neck and started to Roosevelt at pace only equal to what man would ordinarily walk. Baldwin was not dragged at ali.
 On the way to Roosevelt, DT. Pen nell joined them and make an exami- nation of Baldwin. Baldwin, in his struggle with the Morris woInan, nao received 8 cut in the neck, and con sidering that this wound might be- come infected from contact with the rope, pr. Pennell suggested to Holmes that the rope be put about Baldwin's waist. instead, which Holmes did
 saw Baldwin as he was entering Roosevelt, and he showed not the slightest evidence of having been dragged, or even hurried, on the way. Any report to the discredit of Holmes originated with some 1 enemy, such as any efficient man in Holmes place would be sure to have. l
 I will add further. that Holmes Is . ! I most efficient man, and one whom the 1 law abiding part of the community I would like to see held up in every way. It strikes me that the affair is a scurrilous attack upon one of the best men of the fierce.
 Yours very truly.
 CHESTER w. SMITH,
 Constructing Engineer i
 The finding of Captain Wheeler | are of a similar tenor and that Sher 1 if Thompson of GiIa county is also l for the statement that ] Ranger Holmes only performed his | duty in the premises and did that l well