Mohave County miner., 1909-04-24
Robert Caldwell Shot.

! self with rifle and sailed forth IRON
his cabin at Chloride with the avowec
intention of numbering John Ware
and w. H. Hall. Robert Caldwell
who knew of the mans threats, made
an effort to take the gun away from
Beckley, but was shot down before he
could reach him. The bullet struck
Caldwell at the apex of the ilium and
passed downward crushing the bones
of the hip and causing a terrible
ground, and the would-be murderer
fled. AS soon as possible the wounded
man was cared for and Drs. Whiteside
and Cowie were hurriedly called from
Kingman.
. Trailers were at once put on the
track of the shooter, but night coming
on he was lost in the darkness. The
next morning a posse was formed and
the trail taken up where it was lost
the night before and the man followed
as far as Mud Springs, where the trail
was again lost in the rocks of that
wild region. Thursday morning dep
uties J. p. Gideon, a. F. Harris and
Policeman Jack went out from King
man and took up the trail at Mud
Springs and are now following it.
These men are among the best trail
ers in the territory and are practically
sure of getting their men. The fellow
is said to be in such condition that his
capture may be attended by great dan
ger, but the men from the sheriff IS
Office know what they are up against
and will bring their man in dead or
alive.
The cause leading up the shooting of
Caldwell is said to have originated in
the refusal of John Ware to cash a
note of w. II. Hall. While Ware vas
willing to cash tie note he mad not the
amount of currency OF hand to take it
up, but he could not convince Beckley
swearing vengeance. Going to Jack
| Wilson's place he borrowed rifle on
pretense of going back to camp and
wanted to shoot coyotes On the wa,
Wilson let him have the gun and he
went at once TO his cabin and loaded it
up. While doing so he told Caldwell,
kill both Ware and Hall. He had with
MIN a mixture of coal oil al d alcohol,
which he stated he would use to set
lire to the store after shooting Ware.
Caldwell tried to dissuade the man
from his purpose and followed him out
of doors, where he approached Beckley
and asked him to give up the gun.
Beckley warned Caldwell that he
would shoot if he came closer, but the
brave old fellow went on and finally
made grab for the weapon and was
shot down before he could reach it.
There is no doubt but that by risking
his life Bob Caldwell saved the lives of
both John Ware and w. Fl. Hall.
Those who knew Beckley for several
years considered him a quiet and
harmless fellow and express the view
that he must have bee ono suddenly
insane, although he showed great cum
ming after committing the crime by
going to the railroad and travelling On
the ties for long distance ana then
removing his shoes and travelling Two
miles in his stockings. The trail nee
essary was hard to take up and the
Indians had to cut a wide circle of
country before they found it.
Caldwell is a man about IS years of
aye and the nature of his wound is
such that should he recover he will
probably be cripple the balance of
his life. DR.. Cowie, who visited the
man last night, reports his condition
favorable.
Last night the trailers were on a
hot trail within a few miles of Union
Pass and expected to pick up the fug-
alive today. The man was following
the high ridges, paying no attention
to the trails or roads. He had eaten
nothing since leaving Chloride Tues
day night. Yesterday morning the
posse came upon fire that was still
smouldering, showing that they were
close up. They again took up the
trail at daylight this morning.
The contractors on the Laguna dam
will move their outfit to Parker,