AL RUFF
Arizona Republican Newspaper
Douglas
September 13, 1902

Al E. Ruff was murdered in Douglas by a Mexican presumably 
from report on Monday evening.  The information was 
received here yesterday through a letter from Al Goodin 
to relatives here, both Mr. Goodin and Mr. Ruff being 
former residents of this city and warm personal friends.

The details of the incident are meager but so far as 
learned Mr. Ruff and the Mexican were both interested 
in a card game and some argument arose over Mr. Ruff's 
discard.  In less time than it takes to tell it the 
Mexican whipped out a long knife and buried it in Mr. 
Ruff's bowels.  Others interfered and the wounded man 
was carried across the street from the saloon where the 
cutting took place, dying but a short time afterward.  
Whether the Mexican was taken into custody or made his 
escape could not be learned.

Mr. Ruff was raised in this valley, and was a very 
popular and unassuming young man, being but twenty 
six or twenty seven years old.  He was a particularly 
thrifty youth, and early in life engaged extensively 
in the cattle business.  At one time he owned a large 
number of cattle on the Cave Creek range.  He was 
always interested in the stock business in one way or 
another and spent but little of his time in town.  He 
also owned valuable realty in this valley, but just 
what the estate amounts to now is not generally known.  
Two years ago he was prominently mentioned as a candidate 
for sheriff but failed to secure the nomination.  He was, 
however, in the hands of his friends, as he had never 
taken an active interest in politics.  He was married at 
one time, but a separation occurred a year or two ago.  
For some time past Mr. Ruff has been employed by the 
Greene Consolidated Copper Company at La Cananea as a 
weigh master.