FRANK BUTTS
December 19, 1909

Yuma--Deputy Sheriff Frank Wheeler, a former Arizona Ranger 
shot and probably fatally wounded Frank Butts who recently 
came from Phoenix. Wheeler is under arrest without bail.  A 
piano rent account was the indirect cause of the shooting.

A week ago Wheeler said he had a fight with Butts' brother-in-law 
and Butts whipped Wheeler.

The officer today pleaded guilty to assault and was to be 
sentenced on Monday.  Two hours before the shooting Wheeler 
resigned as deputy sheriff and when they later met in Butts' 
Saloon blows were interchanged.  Wheeler it is said, drew a 
gun and fired. The bullet entered near Butts' heart.

December 20, 1909

The relatives of Frank Butts, who was probably fatally shot 
at Yuma on Saturday night by Frank Wheeler, a former Arizona 
Ranger, yesterday morning received a telegram telling them of 
the shooting and conveying the information that he certainly 
would not live.

Butts is one of several brothers who are now living here at 
Scottsdale and elsewhere about the valley. He is a man of 
strong physique and had engaged in several fights in which 
he usually came out victorious. He was in Phoenix last about 
two weeks ago.

Of the man who shot him little is known here. He was heard of 
a good deal in the legislature three years ago when the first 
attempt was made to abolish the Arizona Rangers. In the hot 
debates that took place he was confronted with Captain 
Wheeler of the Rangers but it was brought out that he was 
no relation to the captain who, beside, was an entirely 
different kind of man.

Among the things charged against Wheeler was that at the 
time he was drawing his pay as a ranger he was also holding 
down the job of deputy sheriff at Imperial and in that 
capacity he had wounded a man. Many incidents of his life 
were brought out showing that he was not an ornament to the 
rangers though the enemies of that organization held him up 
as a type of it.