Mexicans Attack and Rob Wheaton.
A trying experience in the life of Wheaton, who narrowly escaped the band that killed Dr. Davis, was when four Mexicans came to his ranch on the San Pedro river one evening, he being entirely alone at the time, and demanded his money, which they said they knew him to have from the sale of some hogs. He, however, denying that he had any money, they proceeded to put a rope round his neck, and strung him up three or four times, each time demanding that he tell where the money was concealed, and he still denying that he had any. During all this time they were trying to find where the money was hidden, and finally discovered it, about $60, in the window casing. Then the question was debated as to what they should do with Wheaton; whether or not they should kill him. This they evidently hesitated to do, but finally decided to take him out and throw him into his well, probably having in mind that this would not kill him, but would make him a close prisoner for a time. On taking him to the well, however, they found it to be a bored one and therefore only eight or ten inches in diameter. Of course this frustrated that plan, and they returned him to the house, and throwing him on his bed, proceeded to tie him, and after threatening to kill him in case he at any time made them any trouble over the affair, they left him. As soon as they were gone Wheaton succeeded in releasing himself and went to the home of J. P. Hohusen, not far away, naturally nearly prostrated from his fright and the terrible ordeal through which he had just passed. The next day Wheaton, accompanied by Ira Davis, a brother of Dr. Davis, came to Tucson and reported the case to Judge C. H. Meyer, an old-time justice of the peace.