Joyce A. Aros
Bob/ just to clear up my garble...
Tue Aug 02, 2022 8:08


...We are talking about the District Attorney questioning witnesses on or about July 9, 1881, not 40 years later. His conclusion, after interviewing men such as Frank Vaughn and John Slaughter, that "...there was not the slightest evidence to show the guilt of the defendant; that the statements of the witnesses did not even amount to a SUSPICION of wrongdoing..." blows me away!

I realize my reaction is just my opinion, but it seems a real stretch for a DA to reject sufficient cause for suspicion from reputable witnesses without further investigation unless there is a motive unaccounted for.

Let's not forget that the NUGGET of July 6, 1881, reported that Holliday was arrested on July 5th. and was charged with TWO separate charges! One was Federal, attempting to rob the U.S. Mail. This was set for November but because he was involved in the Hearing regarding the Fremont street shoot-out, it was moved up several months.

The other charge was Territorial, the murder of Bud Philpot. It was continued to July 6th, 1882 at 9:00 am. Amazingly, right about the time Holliday and his buddies skipped the territory! Could it get any better? As a result of his not hanging around, it appears no one is willing to accept the idea he might have indeed been involved in the Benson stage attempt.

Pays to have good connections, then as now!

  • Hi Bob/ no argument there, but... — Joyce A. Aros, Mon Aug 01 2022 20:43
    ...my concern was that the DA , Price, sloughed it off so casually. His references to witnesses that were not named bother me. Even though we now understand that testimony or reference information by men... more
    • In many people's — Butch Badon, Sun Sep 25 2022 16:55
      opinion Lyttleton Price did not have the intestinal fortitude to prosecute the bad men of Cochise. Somebody please cite the cases of bad guys of Copchise prosecuted by Lyttleton Price. Meanwhile, I'll... more
    • Re: Hi Bob/ no argument there, but... — Bob Cash, Tue Aug 02 2022 15:39
      Joyce, you state: "...my concern was that the DA , Price, sloughed it off so casually. His references to witnesses that were not named bother me. Even though we now understand that testimony or reference... more
      • Bob, refer to my 'clear up my garble' postt... — Joyce A. Aros, Tue Aug 02 2022 18:28
        ...and maybe I will make more sense. There seem to be several differing accounts of Slaughter's recognizing Holliday and I have not heard anything anywhere about Ike Clanton following him to rob... more
        • Re: Bob, refer to my 'clear up my garble' postt... — Bob Cash, Tue Aug 02 2022 23:07
          Where did Vaughn's accounts appear and when?
          • Bob/ Vaughn's accounts..... — Joyce A. Aros, Wed Aug 03 2022 9:57
            ...Frank Vaughn is an interesting man, apparently. His record as an Arizona pioneer at a time when everyday life became an opportunity for greater things for almost everyone who wanted to progress is a... more
            • Re: Bob/ Vaughn's accounts..... — Bob Cash, Fri Aug 05 2022 13:33
              I find nothing in my research of Frank Vaughn to suggest he was anything but an upstanding citizen. However, as I pointed out in a previous post, many "eyewitnesses" of Tombstone events apparently related... more
              • Not only Vaughn... — Joyce A. Aros, Sat Aug 06 2022 5:30
                Integrity is crucial in an investigation, as you say, but my concern from the beginning is why did the DA write it all off with a flip "...not even a suspicion..." It appears that even with substantial... more
                • Re: Not only Vaughn... — Bob Cash, Fri Aug 12 2022 16:28
                  "Integrity is crucial in an investigation, as you say, but my concern from the beginning is why did the DA write it all off with a flip '...not even a suspicion...' It appears that even with substantial... more
                  • Bob, darned if we aren't going to... — Joyce A. Aros, Tue Aug 16 2022 14:42
                    ...disagree again! I hope I am not being terribly obstinate, but my sense of fair play does extend to the cowboys a little more than those sleazy Earps. You might find I have little respect for the... more
                    • Re: Bob, darned if we aren't going to... — Bob Cash, Sat Aug 20 2022 16:09
                      First of all, Joyce, I am 72, so I am not and hve not accused anybody of dementia. I am saying that 40 or 50 years after an event memories can get hazy and they can become ultra-sharp, even remembering... more
                      • Well, shucks!... — Joyce A. Aros, Sat Aug 20 2022 17:50
                        ...you put up a good argument and I didn't mean to suggest you accused anyone of dementia; just that youngsters often view us as on the verge. I can't argue with you on this particular presentation; I... more
                        • Shucks... — sharon Cunningham, Tue Aug 23 2022 8:32
                          Just give yourself 8 more years and you'll be defensive!!
    • Bob/ just to clear up my garble... — Joyce A. Aros, Tue Aug 02 2022 8:08
      • Holliday is mentioned as the man chasing Slaughter — Tom Gaumer, Tue Aug 02 2022 18:41
        Bob on page 181 of Bechdolts book. When the West was Young. Bechdolt also says this was on the night after the attack on the Benson bound coach. Mr. and Mrs. John Slaughter are listed under... more
        • Re: Holliday is mentioned as the man chasing Slaughter — Bob Cash, Tue Aug 02 2022 19:02
          Does it seem plausable to you that Doc would try to rob Slaughter just after attempting to rob the stage, while riding one of the best known horses in the county?
          • According to Bechdolt — Tom Gaumer, Wed Aug 03 2022 0:20
            Bob It was not just after the stage attack but 24 hours later. Bechdolt also says this, "Knew his bronco as soon as I saw that blazed face show," John Slaughter said in explanation of his quick... more