Deming graphic., 1921-04-26
Age-oId Feud Between Rival Rsnebers
In Contest for Range Caused the
Tragedy Near Lake Valley.
LUTHER WRIGHT FIRES SHOT
At Hearing Following Day at Hills
! boro Mr.. Wright Was Freed for
Lack Of Evidence OF Guilt.

The age-old feud between rival stock
eliminated this time In the killing OF
John Skies Tuesday afternoon by
Luther Wright an employe Of the firm
II Num- and Latham, owners Of the
SIC ranches six miles east Of Lake
Valley where the tragic drama was en-
acted. There has been bad blood"
between the nelghboring ranchmen
over the possessl5n OF q tract OF land
homesteaded by Mr.. Skies and ON or
near which n watering place for cattle
was located. The destruction Of the
pumping plant and the burning OF
house adjacent, together with irrita-
ting litigation have also en-
tered into the case. Those familiaS
with the situation have long predicted
bloodshed these same are now con-
tending that the killing Tuesday is
only curtain-raiser 70 further hon.
lclde.
The principals in the shooting and
Ily with the case are well known here,
where the affair Is much deplored.
While great interest has been aroused.
still the community hopes 10 be spared
I the horror OF blood feud barking
back to the old days when human life
was held cheap. While those con-
cerned are credited with fc2rlessness,
yet II is possible that they may yield
10 the dictates Of humanity and reason
land settle existing differences In the
IcOurts.
Following the shooting, Mr.. Wright
rode into Hillsiboro, county seat OF the
lcounty IN which the killing occurred
land placed himself at the disposal OF
Isheriff The following day at a pre-
llimInary hearing before a justice OF
the peace, Mr.. Wright was released
sfrom arrest, the examining magistrate
/. dicating that there was Insufficient
~, ~une 20 warrent his holding the
sViu, mt 20 await action by the grand
nelei'u' 'ttb Mr.. Wright. when the
lury. v" >trred, was Jay Barnett
oIse Ise'aS og e~nlo orI - 81 the firm o. NUM-
llso an slnpio' y was the principal
witness at the hear -,
All the evidence in |. Eoiiewed an
70 show that the killins Sikss ta
ittempt on the part OF NJ. f'"7 =
draw n gun from his hip.
When seen Friday by n reprt >ehta-
tive OF the Graphic, Mr.. Wright ex-
pressed great regret over the un-cor-
tunate affair but urged I'm justifica,
tion OF his act that, "It was my life
iOr his"
"Mr. Barnett and i had gone 10 the
well that had been badly damaged"
said Mr.. Wright with suppressed emo.
tion, ito ascertain the extent OF the
damage done and 10 decide on the
best method OF repairing t. We had.
practically completed the examination
when Mr. Skies rode up on a horse and
ordered us away in a most abusive
manner. I was then seated on the
ground smoking; my rifle was within
easy reach leaning against the fallen
windmill tower. When he reached for
his gun I shot him twice, killing him
almost instantly without changing
the posture OF the body and after max
ing certain that life was extinct. we
rode into Hillsboro and surrendered
to the sheriff. I never doubted that
would be exonerated from a charge
OF murder. as l had acted very clear
ly in self-defense."
With this simple statement, Mr..
Wright exchanged greetings with the
newspaper representative and indi-
Gated that he wes leaving Deming.
i hope there will be no further
trouble" he said in parting. Mr..
Wright had come Immediately TO DEM
ing following his release from custody.
He. has a wife, several relatives and
numbers OF friends here. Until recent
ly he was member OF the state
mounted police force and was very
thoroughly acquainted with the lives
and habits OF those who dwell remote
from the larger settlements.
Not very much Is known about the
dead man. While he has relatives IN
Deming heis not himself res.
ident Of the city and has not been
here frequently. II was reported that
he was villa lieutenant. but this has
been denied II IN certain, however.
that he was no tenderfoOt In the bord-