PETER HODGES
Arizona Republican Newspaper
June 19, 1909

It is reported that Peter Hodges, a member of one of the best 
known families of Yuma was killed yesterday near Ligurta, in 
the Fortuna Mountains. The story of the tragedy reached Yuma 
through Manuel Arviso.

According to Arviso, Hodges, himself and a second Mexican named 
Francisco Marques, started four days ago on a prospecting trip.  
Marques claimed he knew a mine of exceeding richness.

Marques went to hunt mountain sheep, Arviso says, he and Hodges 
hearing shots fired went to aid Marques.  When they appeared in 
the mountains, Marques opened fire on them, killing Hodges and 
wounding Arviso.

Hodges was a son-in-law of captain Isaac Polhamus and was 
connected with a number of old and prominent  families in 
this section. Marques is supposed to have fled to Mexico.

June 20, 1909

The first of numerous parties from the spot in the Fortuna 
range, where Peter Hodges lost his life on Thursday at the 
hand of Francisco Marquez, has returned.  The body of Hodges 
followed them into town tonight on the 6:50 train accompanied 
by George Hodges and three others.

A fresh horseback party of six, including two under sheriffs 
and Ben Hartley, a stepson of the murderer, who has been 
induced to disclose what he knows of Marquez's plans, started 
up the Gila River today.  It is firmly believed that Marquez 
will be taken tonight near his home, where he is supposed to 
have been concealed since morning. Marquez, it is thought, 
will not be taken without a struggle. Excitement runs high 
in Yuma and threats of summary justice to the offender 
should he be brought in alive, have been current.

October 10, 1909

Yuma--after deliberating forty five minutes, the jury in the 
case of Francisco Marquez, charged with  the murder of Peter 
Hodges last June, brought in a verdict of murder in the first 
degree tonight, fixing the penalty of death.  Marquez will be 
sentenced on Monday.

No criminal case in Yuma County has excited such an interest 
as that of Marquez, whose trial has been in progress all week.

Hodges was shot in a lonely pass in the Fortuna Mountains, 
whither the men had gone on a prospecting trip.  Following 
the discovery of the crime, 200 armed men beat the brush in 
the Gila River bottom five nights and days before Marquez 
returned.