The Arizona copper camp. [volume] (Ray, Ariz.) 1910-1920, 1918-05-18
JOE DONALDSON, SONORA DEPUTY,
MEETS pEAIALAT HAND QEIGQMEZ

Joe Donaldson, deputy SherlIf,
who has been in charge of the police
work in Sonoratown, was on Monday
night last, shortly after midnight, shot
and mortally wounded by Jesus
Gomez Shortly after the shooting
Donaldson was rushed to the company
hospital, where death occurred about
$50 Tuesday morning. Every possi-
BILE effort had been made to save the
life of the brave officer, but to no
avail Gomez, Donaldson's assailant,
in the excitement following the shoot
ing, made his escape and was not
captured until two nights later.
The affair occurred in front of the
picture house in Sonoratown, and as
is frequently the case, exact details
will not be established until the trial
of the murderer. Many are, agreed,
however, of those who witnessed the
tragedy, that information had been
given Officer Donaldson that Gomez
was carrying a concealed weapon. He
had on many occasions been given in
formation as to Gomez character, and
his fellow officers had urged him to
use care in dealing with Gomez. Fear
was entirely lacking in the officers
makeup, and, accordingly, he unhesi-
tatingly approached Gomez on the
night of the murder and informed him
that he was under suspicion for carry
ing a gun.
Treachery of Gomez
Gomez, with friendly appearances,
raised his arms in the air and told
Officer Donaldson that if he thought
he Gomez was armed, to search him
and learn the truth. The general de-
meanor of Gomez tended to allay DON
aldson's suspicious, but he took ad-
vantage of the proposal and started
the search, running his hands around
Gomez waist and making an exterior
examination for weapons. While in
this attitude, Gomez suddenly brought
down his arms and pushed Donaldson
from him, at the same time whipping
out revolver and firing shot which
passed through Donaldson's right arm
and into his body.
Naturally, the great excitement
(which enstred leaves much to conjec-
ture, but it is the presumption that
Donaldson, at the time Gomez drew
his gun and fired, was making an ef-
fort to bring his own gun into pay
which act was stopped by the shot
from the gun in the hands of Gomez.
1t is believed that Gomez then took
the officers gun and fired a second
shot into Donaldson's body before he
fled. From what source the second
shot came has not been finally estab-
lished, but when DR.. J. e. Crawford
was working to save Donaldson's life
in the hospital he found bullet en-
bedded in the muscles at a point a
little to the right of the sternum, and
a bullet of different caliber than the
one which pierced Dona1dson's intes-
tines, and which had entered from the
right groin.
A stray bullet, the source of which
no one has attempted to prove as yet,
struck an ice-cream dealer who was
in the crowd, and he is still suffering
the effects of the wound.
Plans for Capture
The whole affair created the great
est of excitement. Sheriff Halls dep
uties laid plans which would cut off
Gomez escape. An officer was placed
at every road and trail leading out Of
the camp and a system of signals was
arranged that the entire posse could
be centralized at an instant's notice.
Constable Lewis was given informa-
tion which led him to believe that
Gomez was hiding in a house in So
noratown, and with the aid Of S. G..
Dolman, the identity of the house was
established.
Gomez sweetheart was the go-be-
tween by means of which the officers
communicated with Gomez. The in
formation was sent to him that if he
would surrender, he would be given
protection, but that if he did not give
himself up, he would be taken, no mat
ter at what peril The woman Gomez
loved pleaded with him to submit to
the demands of the officers, but it was
some time before the murderer was
brought to a realization of the posi-
bilities which might await him by an
infuriated people. From the house
where nc was barricaded his sweet
heart finally was sent forth. She said
she was Gomez cousin. She was told
that Gomez must surrender his fire
arms, and finally she was successful
in bringing from the house and to the
officers Gomez gun. Following her
from the house came Gomez. "Throw
up your hands!" he was commanded,
but he refused to obey the command.
Many who were on the scene COM
I IL A-T-