Weekly journal-miner. [volume] (Prescott, Ariz.) 1908-1929, 1914-02-18
ANOTHER VERSION OF
THE VULTURE HOLD-UP

THE VULTURE HOLD-UP
With the death OF the supposed
perpetrator OF monstrous crime
near the Vulture mine many years
ago came to the forefront. one
version OF the tragedy which was
aiven space in the Journal-Miner
A Wickcnburg reader, who to all
accounts knows the height and
width OF every hill in Arizona
however. comes forth with another
version which is hereby produced
through the good offices OF a Phoe
nix exchange. as follows:
~ communication to The Repub-
lean from WickenbGrg relative to
the death near Altar. Mexico, Of
one Of the Gribble murderers, is
in error as to the details OF the
tragedy which Mortified this com
munity in 1897. Some OF the facts
related have been confounded with
those OF an earlier hold-up OF the
Wickenburg stage and the capture
of a bar of bullion.
"Joshia Gribbel, the superintend-
ent of the Vulture mine, and two
men acting rs a guard, were shot
down some distance this side of
Wickenburg by three Mexicans-
Innocente Valenzuela and Francisco
(whose last name is forgotten,
and younger Mexican. The muir
der occurred at the same point
along the road where the family CT
Barney Martin had been murdered
two years before. presumably by
the same men.
"Gribbeu had been warned By
Hon. Thomas Z. Parish OF the risl,
he was running in bringing bullion
to Phoenix in that manner. Crib
bell replied that he had fought rob
bers in Australia and South Africa
and was willing to meet those u
Arizona. Mr.. Parish reminded him
that ne was not so much in danger
of a hold-up as an ambush and
that he would not be given a chance
to fight.
Mr. Parish advised Gribbell TO
keep secret his intention to make
trips to Phoenix; to vary the time
of his starting after the ciean-ups;
TO start at different times OF the
day; to have outriders, one at 4
safe distance in front and the other
in the rear. On this fatal journey
Gribbell was preceded by horse
man, Johnson, who was not far
enough in advance. Another guard,
Littleiield, rode in the rear. The
hOrseman was not more than fifty
yards in front OF the blackboard
in which Gribbell was riding when
he was shot at, as was shown by
the marks of his horses feet when
he sprang at the SOUND OF the shot
Though he was killed instantly. his
horse carried him a hundred yards
before he fell. Gribbell raised his
shotgun at the sound of the shot
but he evidently received a fatal
wound at almost the same instant
His shotgun was discharged, killing
one OF his horses. Littlefeld fell
killed instantly.
The murdercrs fled south. in.
tending to reach the Mexican line
As soon as news OF the murder
reached Phoenix a sherif1's posse
which included Captain Hy Nc
Donald and Frank Cox. went Il
the scene OF the killing and tn,
pursuit OF the murdercrs was begun
"Nalenzuela and his companion!
left the scene Of the murder anc
when near the ella river the,
cached the bullion after trying +,
cut it in two with an AK. TIL,
parties separated there and Valen
zuela and his companion separated
Nalenzuela coming TO Phoenix. II,
went back to steal the cache, which
was near Powers camp on the ella
After he had secured the bar ant
wrapped it ii his blankets, tn
posses came up with him Impede
by his burden be was killed an
his body was taken baoI, TO Wick
cnburg. The bar. worth about s.
coo, was recovered. The youn
Mexican who was with the mur
derers said that he had been force