Estanislado DelGadillo |
| Posted 2018-01-31 by Judy Wight Branson |
| Prescott Evening Courier, Prescott, Arizona Thursday, June 22, 1922, page 1, column 1 Find Deuce Of Spades, Death Sign, By Body Man Killed During Early Hours of Night; Probe of Cause Started Today Five People Held - Corpse Lying in Unusual Position Found in Bed of Creek Near Brewery The body of E. Del Gadillo, a Mexican bricklayer, 54 years old, was found lying in a wash in Granite Creek near the old brewery at about 8 o'clock this morning, and it is believed he was shot last night at about 10:30, when shots were heard in the neighborhood. Authorities today were holding three Mexican women and two men to be questioned in the case. At the time of the finding of the body, Del Gadillo's arms were stretched wide over his head, he was lying on his back, and his legs straightened out, although one foot was crossed over the ankle of the other leg. Beside the body was found a 2 and 5 of spades, which to the fortune teller and believer in the omens of cards is the sign of death. There were other playing cards around the body. All indications point to the fact that Del Gadillo was murdered. He had been shot in the back three or four times, and blood was found on his shoulders, two places on his head, and it is believed there are other wounds. It is believed that Del Gadillo was shot while running from his assailants, and that his body was then moved by them to the creek bed, as there were no signs of struggle where he was found. His arms were stretched wide as though he were on a crucifix. Bullet holes on each shoulder under his suspenders were found, and there was another hole in his face and another in the back of his head. An empty card case was found in his pocket. A son and daughter of the dead man live in a house among the rocks on south Granite creek. The son last saw Del Gadillo at the depot last night about 5 o'clock, when the latter asked him to take a bail of hay to his house. At home last night - Del Gadillo's home was in east Prescott beyond Whipple Heights, and about half a mile beyond the Citizens cemetery - he left at about 9 o'clock, and started to town alone. From that time on his movements until the finding of the body lying in the bottom of Granite Creek are not known. He is survived by a widow and three year old child. Transcriber's note: Mr. DelGadillo is buried in an unmarked grave at the Citizens Cemetery in Prescott, Arizona. |
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