T.N. Tilford
November 18, 1904
Arizona Republican Newspaper

A telephone message was received at the office of the 
sheriff's office at Prescott notifying the office here 
of a murder which had been committed at Mayer the night 
before and the flight of the murderer probably in this 
direction.  There were no details of the crime and at 
that time none had been received in Prescott.  It was 
only known that a man by the name of T.N. Tilford had 
been shot and killed by a man by the name of T.F. Averill.  
It was added that it had been reported that the murder had 
been committed in cold blood and that Tilford was unarmed.

The Republican last night telephoned to the office of the 
sheriff at Prescott for additional information.  Not much 
more had been received there in the meantime.  It was 
understood that the men had been gambling in one of the 
saloons of the place earlier in the night and had engaged 
in a fierce quarrel.  They separated and about midnight 
met in the street when Averill shot Tilford and fled.

Nothing was known at Prescott of either of the men, how long 
they had been at Mayer or what their occupations were. It 
is the supposition of the officers that Averill fled in a 
southerly direction, probably with the idea of reaching 
Mexico but telegraph and telephone messages have been 
sent in every direction.

Averill is described as being about thirty six years of age 
and about five feet ten inches in height.  His weight is 
from 180 to 190 pounds.  He has light hair, was smooth 
shaven, have light blue eyes, florid complexion,is square 
built and erect.  At the time of his flight he was wearing 
khaki trousers and high topped tan shoes.