Tombstone epitaph., 1917-03-11

the brought in late last night by the Sheriff and Chief Deputy Guy Welch and Deputy Harry Raffer- ty.
 How It Happened
 According to the story told as it happened by Sheriff Wheeler himself this morning when seen by q PcspectOr representative. the Sheriff and COnsta- ble Gibson had been out scouting for bOOteggers m the vicinity of the Chracahuas the state ine, and returning early iii the morning, and srriv- ing at the road crossing ketOn decided to re- main there for the balance of the night. Having blankets along they spread these at the side of the and lay down for while to rest They had not been there long, when they aroused by the re- port of a shot from rife, and the sound of crash from bullet breaking the wind shield of the auto. Arising hurriedly they grabbed their guns, Sheriff Wheeler rifle and MT. Gibson his revolver, and made their way mp the railroad grade to the top of the track. where they could objects about 200 yards ahead. Both opened fire in the darkness, which answered by fssilade of rifle shots from four directions. Being between the location of the MeXicans and full moon which hung low in the west the officers readily saw what they were up against being fully silhouted against the horizon, while it impossible for them to discern the location of the aSsallants. only from their fire. Both immediately dropped to prone position, and continued the fire, they being not 50 to 5 yards from either of the four Mexicans. who during the fire yelled challenges to the officers to ''cOne and take them" and i've I'll fix you Gringoes,' followed by storm of vile oaths. Being outnumbered and handicapped by position the officers decided to lie prone until the moon went down, when they would be able to charge the Mexi-
 
 Many Shots Fired
 Fully hundred shots were exchanged by this time and the ammunition of the sheriff and Deputy Gibson getting low there being only about thir- ty rounds of rifle ammunition remaining and only few revolver shells which they decided to save for the charge Several times during the shooting bull lets struck close to the officers, striking their feet throwing mp sand in their faces.
 One Is Wounded
 
 shape of them which particularly close came within an of hitting the Sheriff. who having To- cated him by the fire of his gun put six quick shots in succession in that direction. Following this groans could be heard with the result that further shots came from that quarter, and it is presumed that he must have been badly wounded, for the day light disclosed large pool of blood and knee and el bow prints in the sand.
 Assailants Escape
 When the went down about an hour later the officers gained the camp in the darkness, dscOv- ering that it had been deserted, but found four bur- rOs loaded with ten cases of whiskey, the Mexcans having escaped in the meantime The officers search ed the immediate vicinity but could do nothing the dark, and waited until daylight, finding that headed for the Chiracahuas and found horse track lead ing toward the mountains.
 Deputies Leave for Scene
 Being out of ammunition and with no one to guard the whiskey, they went to COurtland, where Chief Deputy Guy Welch notified to come at once With Deputy Raferty and brlng guns and am- muntion. They left immediately, making hurried trip to the scene, and the whiskey was brought to Tombstone. Taking the trail the officers hunted troughOut the day, going to the mountains, with no results, the Mexcans having had ample time to make good their escape
 During the melee two of the burros had been hit and were later killed
 The officers returned late last night and the Sheriff left this afternoon for Gleeson where he will he joined by Deputy Gibson, being confident that they will be able to arrest the guilty parties having - obtained additional clues today.
 Deserve Credit For Bravery
 That the murder of the officers had been planned is clearly evident, and it only dre to the poor markemanship of the Mexicans that they did not succeed, having every advantage the officers To the officers is due much credit for their bravery in frustrating the attempt to murder we'll as captur- ing the consignment of contraband while It is cer- tainty that one of their members was wounded by the 04icers' fire.
 DOUGLAS haFsa s-Hsss gtss the .INc.d