MATEO
December 14, 1902

Mateo, an Indian, was shot and killed at 2 o'clock this 
afternoon at Gila Bend, by E.G. Caruthers, a merchant of 
that place.  Caruthers and Sheriff Truman of Pinal County 
were attempting to arrest the Indian, who it is believed 
is the murderer of Bruce Ross, who was killed at the 
pumphouse near Maricopa a few days ago.  The Indian 
ran into a hut and coming out, attacked Caruthers 
with an ax.  He fired in self defense.  The coroner's 
jury is now investigating.

The murder of Bruce Ross was a most atrocoius one, as 
he was a quiet and obliging young man and was shot down 
in cold blood, there being no apparent excuse for the 
deed.  His murderer appeared at a window and asked for a 
match.  When Ross turned to get it for him the Indian 
fired, fatally wounding him.  Ross secured his gun and 
returned the fire but without effect.  Ross then 
started to the station nearly a mile away, but sank 
before reaching there.  He was taken to Tucson where he 
died, being able to say only that his assailant was a 
Indian.


The Murdureous Mateo
December 18, 1902

There is not doubt at Gila Bend that the Indian, Mateo, 
killed by E.G. Caruthers of Gila Bend on Saturday was 
the murder of both Charles Walsz and Bruce Ross.  Walter 
Kibbey who had been sent by the district attorney's 
office to Gila Bend to conduct the examination of the 
suspect arrested at Mohawk Valley in connection with 
the murder of Walsz, returned last night. He was at Gila 
Bend at the time of the killing of the Indian and also 
assisted at the inquest.

When Sheriff Truman got to Gila Bend he had difficulty 
in getting a eam to take him out to the small reservation 
three miles north of town. At last Mr. Carruthers offered 
a team and his services in making the arrest.  He and the 
sheriff went out to the reservation together and a son of 
Mr. Caruthers and another man followed on horseback.  
The party learned where Mateo lived, but they found it 
empty.  After a chase, Caruthers killed Mateo.
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