JOHN KERWAGEN
Arizona Republican Newspaper
December 17, 1902

The bloodiest tragedy in the history of Yavapai county took 
place this afternoon between five and six o'clock at the 
Kerwagen and Haskell ranch, three miles from town.  John 
Kerwagen, one of the proprietors of the ranch was murdered 
by Al Cowles, an employee who afterward committed suicide.

Kerwagen and Cowles were in town this afternoon and appeared 
to be good freinds.  They left town and stopping at the 
last saloon took a drink with the words, "Here's to each 
other."  Neither was intoxicated.  Arriving at the ranch 
they were met by Hasket and Kerwagen went into the house 
to get supper. Haskell went some distance from the house  
to milk a cow.  Soon after Cowles came to him and said, 
"Go up to the house and you will find a dead partner.  
He pulled my whiskers and ordered me around so I killed 
him."  Haskell went to the house and found his partner 
lying on the floor dead with a bullet hole in the back 
of his head.  He was holding a dish cloth in his hand.

Cowles who had followed, said to ihm, "Don't be afraid, 
I won't kill you.  I'll saddle a horse so you can go to 
town and tell them about it."  He went away and Haskell 
fearing to await his return set out over the mountains on 
foot.  He reached here two hours after the tragedy.  
Several officers accompanied him back to the scene and 
Cowles was not in sight.  The party visited his cabin 
three quarters of a mile distant.  He was found lying 
on the floor with the top of his head blown off.  He 
had used a shot gun placing the butt on the floor.

Cowles had been in the employ of Kerwagen and Haskell for 
thirteen.  Tehre is at present no suggested motive for his 
crime.

Kerwagen was one of the best known men in the territory.  
He had resided in this county for eighteen years.  He was 
in business in Prescott some years ago and was representative 
from Yavapai in the territorial legislature four years ago.
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