John R. Smith Arizona Silver Belt May 21, 1896 John R. Smith, of Morenci, was shot and killed by Lafe Gibson at Hampson's Ranch on Eagle Creek a week ago last Saturday. The Graham County Bulletin states that Gibson was employed by Smith at his Eagle Creek ranch and duirng Gibson's temporary absence from the cabin someone broke in and stole a tent. Smith, on his return, accused Gibson of knowing where the tent had gone to. Smith used aubsive langugage toward Gibson and finally knocked him down and kicked him in the face. Smith also threatened Gibson's life if he attempted to leave the ranch. Gibson did leave during the night and went to Hampson's Ranch, where he told the men what had happened. The next day about 1 o'clock, Smith was seen approaching the ranch with his hand on his six shooter, and as he rode into the back yard in that position, Gibson put a rifle out of the kitchen window and shot him through the heart, killing him instantly. After the shooting Gibson rode to Fort Thomas nad surrendered himself to the law officers. John R. Smith has been a resident of Graham County for ten years or more and has always been industrious and attentive to his business and had accumulated considerable property. At one time he was constable and deputy sheriff at Clifton and Morenci. He was one of the posse that killed the two Mexicans that were implicated with Chacon in the robbery and attempted murder of Paul Becker at Morenci last December and when Pablo Salcido was killed. John R. Smith was a brohter of Mrs. E.J. Everhardy of Globe. USGenWeb Project NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may not be reproduced in any format for profit, nor for commercial presentation by any other organization. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain express written permission from the author, or the submitter and from the listed USGenWeb Project archivist. submitted by burns@asu.edu