The Canon City record with which is consolidated the Canon City cannon., 1914-04-16
ia. PETTY,
FLORENCE,
VICTIM OF
A BRUTAL
ASSASSIN

An unusually brutal murder took
place in Florence about $3.50 last Sat-
urday evening. the object OF the crime
apparently having been robbery. The
victim was J. A. Petty. a well known
bushes sman and highly esteemed
citizen OF that community.
Mr.. Petty was proprietor of a grain
and feed store on Main street and was
q man OF excellent habits in all re-
spects. 1t was his custom to return
home at once on closing his place of
business and his failure to do SO last
Saturday evening at the accustomed
time created some anxiety on the part
of his wife and family. Fearing that
come accident had befalien him, Mrs.
Petty sent her IA year-old son to the
store shortly after o'clock to find
what had detained him. The boy
found the place locked up and desert
ed. but on going inside was horrifed
10 discover his father lying lifeless
On a sack OF bran with his skull
cruz led in by some heavy bludgeon.
An alarm was given and Marshal j.
r. Slausen of Florence and others be-
gan an investigation. Sheriff New
comb was notified and left immedi-
stely for Florence to help unravel the
mystery OF the murder.
II was ascertained that a colored
man living in town had purchased
some feed at Mr.. Petty's store short
~ after o'clock and suspicion was
directed to him as the murderer. He
vas hunted up and related the story
Of his visit to the store and what had
taken place there at the time. His
narrative was SO frank and straight
forward as to convince the officers Of
his Innocence OF the crime and he was
released from custody n few hours
later.
Negro Under Arrest.
He stated In the course OF his ac-
count that he saw an unknown col
ored man standing near the entrance
70 Mr.. Petty's store as he passed out
the door and that possibly he might
10 the guilty party. He gave de-
scription OF the stranger and the au-
thorities at once began a search To-
Aim. He was located by Sheriff New
comb and Marshal Clausen at cabin
IN "the jungles" near Portland.
through the assistance OF the colored
man who had purchased the feed
Arum Mr.. Petty early in the evening.
and placed under arrest. He was pos
ifively Identified as having been in
Florence late Saturday night and was
brought to Canon City and lodged in
the county jail on the charge Of mur-
der. He gave his name as Charlie
Ragland and says he is 2s years old.
Ragland wore light rain coat when
seen In Florence, but is supposed TO
have secreted IT at some point along
the railroad track on the way TO Port
land. as a search of the SHACK"
where he lived failed 70 reveal 1t TO
ahe officers. Ragland changed his
clothing on going back to Portland
with a view of Disgusting himself so
as to fool the officers in their efforts
st Identification. There does not ap-
pear TO he much doubt of Ragland's
guilt, although he stoutly denies any
knowledge OF the crime. Ragland
came to this county recently from
Trinidad, but beyond that fact but
nttie OF his history and antecedents
rs known.
Skull Crushed by Blow.
The officers are OF the opinion that
Mr.. Petty's skull was crushed by a
blow from a bar of iron and that he
was struck before he was aware OF
The murderous intention of his as
saIlant.
Mr. Poifu In aunnoaad N hnra ha a