Arizona republican., 1911-06-24
STEWARTs CONFESSION
 Exc|TES TERRITORY
iMFlICATING HERlFF THOMP-
 SON AND JACK NEWMAN.
In the Murder of A. J. Dases and Geo.
 Hunter Three Years Ago.

The story of the confession or Rob- ert Stewart, under d twenty-f five year sentence at Florence for participation in the murder of A J. Daggs and George Hunter or George Dittmore near Superior. Pinal county, on Janu- ary l. 1908, that the murder was melted by Sheriff Thompson of Gila county and J. B. Newman, of Globe and that Bob M'Murray, brother-in Jaw of the sheriff. and himself a deputy at the time. took an active part in the murder. has become widespread througnout the territory and has caused intense excite ment on account of the prominence of Thompson and the wealth of Newman
 It was more than rumor as long as five months ago, that such q confession would be made. IL was first heard of in Phoenix one night last winter when a man whose name is unknown. came out of the Hoffman saloon drunk and talkative and disclosed that Stewart was about to make such a confession. The confession has been in the posses sion of the board of control for the last six weeks, and since then affidavits tending to support it have been re ceived from other parties.
 In substance, the confession of Stew art is that he. Ed FOndren, who was convicted with him of the murder and Thompson and Newman were the own CTS or claimants of valuable properties near Superior and had been engaged for some time in litigation with Daggs con cerning them Stewart says that Fondren backed out and MMuTray was sent to take his place.
 According to the confession. Stewart and M Murray concealed themselves along the trail which Daggs and Ditt- more would have to take on their way out of the country and as they approch- ed. stewart rose from behind q pile of rocks and shot Daggs in the head with a shotgun. Daggs. who was on horse back, jumped to the ground and ap- preached Stewart with revolver and was then shot by M'Murray.
 Meanwhile according to the confes- sion. Dittmore approached with a re- volver and shot twice at Stewart. miss ing him. Stewart fired again with the shotgun hitting DittmOre. inflicting a mortal wound
 Stewart says that all throughout the killing, MMurray remained under cov- CT and was evidently never seen by either of the victims and was certainly not seen by Daggs who had time be- fore he was finally disposed of to write that damning. blood stained note found near the scene of the tragedy: Bob Stewart shot me"
 .l,y art said. NJ Murray asked what had be- come of the man who had been working for Daggs and when Stewart replied that he had run away, they went back to the cabin of Stewart and dr5lnk what was left of the whisky which had nerV- ed them to the deed. Stewart says that Fondren was not present at the killing and had nothing to do with it
 He said, furthermore, that it was at the instance of Newman and ThOmp- son that Fondren was finally convicted and that they have since endeavored to secure patent to valuable mining prop erty owned by Fondren. It is said to be a matter of record that Newman. Thompson and Hugh Daggs. a son of the murdered man. are now engaged in IT NIHS NO get d patent lp all lne prop erty in this blood- dispute and that there is a contest over the property claimed by Fondren. his niece prosecut- ing his adverse claim.
 Besides this confession and the affi- davits mentioned there are several statements and letters bearing on the ease, most of which have been secured since the making of the confession.
 Sheriff Thompson has been in the city since last Monday night. He says that the charge of Stewart is ground less. and is only a part of a scheme of blackmail planned against himself and Newman. who were selected only be- cause their interests had been antagO- nistic to that of the chief victim of the tragedy. He has been sheriff of Gila county for many years.
 Newman has long been a resident of the territory and is said to be worth a million dollars. accumulated in min ing ventures. His name. by the way, was not originally Newman He is 8 Pole with an unprounceable name. which he exchanged for a short and more convenient one.