In celebration of the anniversary of the day Arizona became a state, Tales from the Morgue ran a photo of the front page of the Arizona Daily Star Feb. 14, 1912.
Statehood was momentous news. But right there on the front page was a story of infidelity and murder. One man killed another because the second man had run off with his wife and children.
A reader made a comment on Facebook indicating an interest in the rest of the story.
Read on.
The first news of the murder ran on the front page of the Arizona Daily Star, Wednesday, February 14, 1912:
KILLS MAN WHO STOLE HIS WIFE

Mexican Shoots Down Home Wrecker, Declares Will Not Be Taken Alive, Sheriff Nelson Trailing Fugitive

Enraged because his wife had deserted him, Guadalupe Lubo, a Mexican, shot and instantly killed Miguel Limon three miles south of the Apache ranch about 2 o'clock Monday afternoon. Limon was holding the three year old son of Lubo in his arm when the shooting happened. Lubo's wife who had deserted him for Limon stood close by and witnesses the shooting.
The bullet which was fired at close range, from a 30-30 calibre rifle, entered the left breast of Limon passing through his body and lodging in his right arm. Limon was holding the child on his right arm when the shot was fired and the bullet grazed the infant's clothing. Limon dropped dead while the frightened child went screaming to his mother.
Nelson in Pursuit.
After the deed, Lubo flourished his rifle in the air and declared that he would never be taken alive. He stole a horse from a near by ranch and disappeared on the desert going in the direction of the San Pedro river from where it is thought he will attempt to cross into Mexico.
Sheriff Nelson was notified and in company with Coroner Dufton and County Physician Wall left at once in an automobile belonging to and driven by Shad Bowyer.
As soon as they reached the scene of the crime Sheriff Nelson alone, and armed with a 30-30 rifle took up the trail of the murderer and started in pursuit. In view of the fact that Nelson is determined to bring the man back, dead or alive, and that Lubo has a reputation of the gun fighter, and has declared he will never be taken alive it is expected that the fugitive and the sheriff will meet in a death struggle on the lonely desert.
Story of the Deed.
The body of the dead man was strapped on a burro and conveyed three miles across the canyons to the Apache ranch where a post-mortem examination was held by Dr. Wall. The bullet which was a steel jacket, soft nose one completely shattered the mans (sic) heart and lungs.
Lubo's wife could not give a very definite description of the affair. She said that she had left Lubo about 10 days ago and had been living with Limon at the Apache ranch since. She gave as her reason for leaving Lubo that he was cruel to her and beat her on several occasions.
"We were driving along the road in a wagon" she said "and Limon was holding my baby in his arms. As we passed by a grove of large cactus my husband stepped from behind a clump of bushes and ordered us to stop. He was carrying a rifle, but said all he wanted was to take Limon to a near by mining camp where they could settle their trouble. Limon agreed and as he stepped from the wagon with the baby on his right arm my husband suddenly raised his rifle and fired without warning. Limon dropped in his tracks and the baby came screaming to me. My husband thereupon waved his rifle in the air and said he would never be taken alive by any officer. He walked away in a northerly direction, and I was later informed that he had secured a horse and started in the direction of the San Pedro river."
She Loved Limon.
"I left Lubo because I hate him and because I loved Limon. He was extremely cruel to me and I do not care if the officers do shoot him down as he shot Limon."
At the time of the killing Limon had in his possession a 38 calibre revolver but the woman who was the only witness to the tragedy says that Limon had no chance and did not attempt to draw it.
After the autopsy had been performed, a rude coffin was made from rough lumber and interment made on a hill hide near the ranch. The woman exhibited no particular emotion over the death of her sweetheart and seemed anxious only that her husband should be killed or captured.
Frontier Tinge.
The tragic death of the man and the prospect that Sheriff Nelson and the murderer will fight a duel on the desert has given a tinge of frontier romance to the affair. Many of the old timers in this vicinity who have been through gun fights offered to form a posse and accompany the sheriff but Nelson would not permit this. He said it was his business to take the risk and that he did not care to endanger the lives of others. He intimated strongly that he would bring the Mexian back, either in irons or strapped on a burro with a diamond hitch.
Apache ranch is located about 60 miles from here and the three members of the party who returned shortly before Midnight last night were completely exhausted, having been on the road continuously for 20 hours.
The child Limon was holding when he was killed was said to be Lubo's son in this article. In a later article it was a daughter. That wasn't the only difference between this and later articles. One story had Limon and the family traveling in a wagon, another had them riding burros and another had them all walking. The stories varied quite a bit in other ways as well.
