Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1911-02-05
PRISONER REACHES
FOR HIS REVOLVER
AND IS SLAIN
TRAGIC KILLING BY
OFFICER NEAR MAGDALE LENA
COroneTS Jury ExonerateS For
est Rangers Jones and Hod-
geS for Death of John Lath-
am Who Resisted Arrest.


iNpeeial Dispatch TO the Morning JOurnali
Magdalena. n. NJ. Feb. i--Iohn
Latham, Of Nogal. Lincoln county,
was shot and instantly killed this aft
einoon near the Medley ranch, west
Of Magdalena The killing was done
by Forest Rangers j. ]. Jones and c.
A. Hodges, who We're acting as deputy
sheriffs. Latham was ordered "a
throw up his hands. which he did.
Later. according 10 the officers. he
made a motion TO draw "A gun and the
killing followed
A ceroner's jury, which held an in
quest over the body at Magdalena, re.
turned n verdict that Latham came to
his death at the hands of Jones and
Hodges. The jury further found that
the killing was done in self-defense
and fully exonerated the officers.
According to Jones and Hodges
they We're returning, Friday night
to their headquarters at the Council
Rock ranger station. When about
three miles from the j. w. Medley
ranch they saw q Are and upon in
vestigation, discovered that head
hide and hoofs OF beef cattle were
being burned. They won't at once to
their headquarters and later notified
Mr.. Medley and Deputy sheriff II. w
Lewis. Deputy Lewis had other busl-
ness on hand and deputzed Jones and
Hodges TO investigate the case. Ac-
companied by Medley, the two forest
rangers started for the scene of the
fire. Reaching the vicinity they hid
behind some trees. After waiting foi
about an hour the trio OF watchers
saw Latham approach and scrape ul
the embers of the fire. The party ad.
vanced on Latham and ordered him
to throw up his hands and the com.
mand wss at once obeyed. Az the re.
quest Of Jones' Medley advanced I,
disarm the prisoner. Latham re,
|sented this lndignity by reaching foi
the revolver, which he carried in hi,
belt, but before he could discharg,
the weapon both Jones and Hodge,
fired. Latham was instantly killed.
Moctezuma by Torres to appeal fol
reinforcements to save him from dis
aster.
Torres has only ESQ regulars I0l
Yaquis and 100 citizen soldiers, /
was with that force that he re-oc.
cupied Sahuari Sahuaripa after tbs
rebels evacuated the town and against
the superior numbers of Talamantes
he is now fighting to get back 20
MocteZuma.
Torres, after re-taking Sahuaripa,
decided that Il was untenable and
started several days ago for Onovas.
Since then there has been constant
fighting, although at one time the
Mexican commander was only opposed
by so rebels. Against this small
force he made his way as far as To-
ledo. where he was ambushed. Heavy
fighting IL said TO have occurred here,
but Torres battled his way as far as
Sangeronimo, where the fighting IL
said TO be raging now. The couriers
sent by Torres into Moctezuma said
that more than 200 men have been
killed on both sides since the Mexican
command left Sahuarapi.
Miners from lll Tigre district, So
nora, reported today that three bands
Of rebels with many horses, have
southwark after having
crossed the Arizona line near this
city. Homes of Mexican residents of
are crowded with fugitives
who fled from Mexico TO avoid inn
or impressment into the
federal service and declare thoy are
only waiting for the appearance of
the rebels to join them. One band
Of these refugees started last night to
ind the nsurrectos and succeeded in
crossing the line.
The federals posted at the customs
house town of Aqua Prleta were busy
al day building breastworks of adobe
bricks In anticipation of an early at
ack by revolutionists.
line rider named Roberts brought
n n wounded Mexican. whom he shot
n the head last night during fight
'or possession Of the officers horse.
rbe Mexican offered to help the Off
,er find his horse Three miles out
IT the camp at a point on the Mexi-
AN side, the horse was found and
he Mexican suddenly turned on Rob-
,rts and ordered him to let the ami
nal go. When Roberts refused, the
VI dexican fred six times at him and
missed He then started running.
roberts overlook him and after
him, brought him to Ha-
hetu.