Arizona republican., 1917-02-25
CONF FESS|ON BY
 CR0FF SECURED
 BY MISS HUGHES

Margaret Hughes, sister of the
 late Steve Hughes, who was
 murdered on his ranch near
 Tempe several weeks ago, has
 requested The Arizona Republican
 to ask that residents of Arizona
 restrain from committing any act
 of violence against Anderson and
 Croft, confessed murderers of her
 brothers, when they are brought
 back to this state to face charqes.
 Miss Hughes makes the request
 on a confession which she is al
 legged to have extracted from
 Croft duplicating other than him
 self and Anderson in the murder.
 IL is stated that rumor is now afloat that several prominent Tempe residents, friends of the murdered man, had organized and were plan ming mob violence against the two men when they pass through Tempe ea route to Phoenix.
 When word to this effect was re- ceived by Governor Thomas l.. Camp bell yesterday he immediately started m investigation which resulted in quieting the rumor that any violence would he attempted. In fact. so positive is the governor that the mob talk Is nothing but cumor. that he even went SO far as to ridicule the impression
 Miss Hughes is said to have sc- cured q complete and detailed con fession of the crime from John Croft who Is believed to have planned and directed the murder. Tn the con fession, Croft is sad 10 .haVc named others than himself and Anderson as parties to the murder inasmuch as the other men are still at large, how ever their names are being withheld Other details of the confession. which is held by Miss Hughes. were not made known.
 From information received by Gov error Campbell yesterday afternoon it is believed that extradition papers have already been issued by Governor Ferguson of Texas, and that no fur ther delava will be experienced in returning the prisoners to Maricopa county.
 Judge ". D. Howe of the thirty fourth judicial court of Texas. located at Fl Paso, has announced his will irgness to release the prisoners tC officers of Maricopa county. He
  would deliver the men to the proper authorities as soon as he heard from the Arizona chief executive. despite the fact that the men are under in- dictment in his court on burglary charges. His communication in this regard is as follows.
 '.I nave no objections whatever to dismissing the cases against Croft and Anderson now pending here and returning the men to Arizona on the graver charge I shall hold the cases on docket and hold the fugitives here until such time as I know you have received this letter.
 Governor Campbell immediately wired Judge Howe that he was as surd that residents of Tempe would attempt no violence on the two men as they passed through that city.
 Proper protection will be afforded the prisoners while they are heinz brought back to this city" said the message in part
 It is evident that word has beer received in Fl Paso that an attempt would be made tc lynch the two mer at Tempe as they were being brough back to tbis city. How such infor nation could have reached the Pasi City. local officers are at q loss tt know.
 It ia believed that the party, con sisting of the officers and two pris oners, left Fl P5so last evening fol this city and will arrive here some time today.