The copper era and Morenci leader., 1918-05-24
EX.BOOTLEGGERS
 FIRE ON OFFICERS
SLAUGHTER AND NIcKs IN FIGHT MULE AND BURROS KILLED RoOTLEGGER WOUNDED MEN ESCAPE.

! Tuesday night Sheriff Slaughter and Deputy Nicks went out after bunch of boot leggers, whose movements had become known to the sheriff's force. Information having been gain- ed that this party which is alleged to make it a business to traffic in illicit wet goods, purchasing the liquor in Lordsburg and smuggling it through via Ash Peak to Morenci and New Town would be on the move Tuesday night, so the sheriff concluded the time was ripe to break up this illicit practice, as well as round up those engaged in the risky but profitable business of bringing in the goods that inebriates.
 Arriving at point where they deemed it necessary for the perveyors of the forbidden juice to pass, they stationed themselves and awaited the arrival of their party. Their vigi- lance was soon rewarded, as cara van soon hoved on the moonlit horizon composed of two or more men, nd several pack mules and burros. Every animal was loaded with the contra band, as was afterwards ascertained. When the party came in speaking distance the officers gave the com mand: Hands up." This was re- piled to by volley of shots from the advancing outlaws, and was im- mediately returned by the officers. ed away there were two burros and one mule dead on the scene, but the outlaws had eluded the officers, escaping down the hillside into the darkness.
 MT. Slaughter stated that one pack mule survived the battle, and from blood signs traced some distance is confident one of the party was wound ed, and probably was taken off the survived the battle.
 Much booty was taKen in the raid, but the men have not yet been appre- hended. The contraband consisted of fifteen cases of Sunny Brook and Old Taylor whiskey, in pints and half pints, saddles, ropes and other para phernalia usually carried in pack train. Two sacks containing wet goods was so badly damaged that no sacks were filled with the same brands of whiskey. One of the sacks was riddled by the officers bullets, the other was broken by one of the ,burros falling on it when it was shot
 The battle lasted several seconds, and the firing was pretty hot for a while. MT. Slaughter thinks one of the party was pretty badly wounded, as he was traced by blood for some dis tance.
 The officers did not recognize the outlaws positively, but have clew to their identity, and believe they will yet round them up.
 Two Truck Loads of Booze.
 For some time party hsa been sus picioned of disposing of spirituous and vinous liquors at Metcalf. Under Sheriff Sturgess has been on this trail for some time, and believing the time was ripe proceeded on raid Thurs day afternoon. Reports having reach ed the sheriff's office of the sale oi wet goods in that vicinity, but evi dence of the actual sales have not been procured. However, the raid resulted in unearthing a considerable quantity of whiskey, wine and gin all of an ancient vintage. The contra band was found secreted in a tunnel and some under the house, while oth CT wet goods was found in the house of the man arrested. He was brought to Clifton, but was later released It seems that this man was formerly in the saloon business at Metcalf be fore the thirst parlors were put out oi