Territory of Arizona · Ninth Judicial District · Bill No. 189
Dead or Alive
Silas “Ash”
Merriweather
Also known as: The Coalsmoke Kid · S. Merrit · Preacher Ash
Wanted by order of the Territorial Marshal for the armed seizure of the Copper Line mail car between Redwater Junction and Sonora Pass, and for the deliberate firing of the Deverell depot on the night of the fourteenth.
Reward payable in coin on delivery
Seven thousand five hundred dollars
Posted by the Copper Line Railway Co. · raised from $4,000 on 3 March
| Particular | Recorded | Corroborated by |
|---|---|---|
| Age | About thirty-four years | Deverell stationmaster |
| Height | Six feet, one inch in boots | Fort Bowie muster roll |
| Build | Spare, long-armed, stoops at the left shoulder | Two passengers, Car 4 |
| Hair & eyes | Black, worn long; eyes grey and deep-set | Photographer, Fort Bowie |
| Marks | Powder burn across the right jaw; two fingers missing, left hand | Dr. E. Falk, county surgeon |
| Habits | Quotes scripture before he draws; will not ride a grey horse | Hearsay, Sonora Pass |
Charges laid
- Robbery of the United States mail. Copper Line No. 12, four sacks taken, 14 Feb.
- Arson. Deverell depot and freight shed, total loss, night of the 14th.
- Assault upon a peace officer. Deputy R. Colquhoun, wounded, since recovered.
- Horse theft. Two bay geldings from the Marston remuda, Redwater.
- Escape from lawful custody. Yavapai county jail, sixth of January, by means unknown.
- Passing false coin. Eleven counts, mercantile houses along Sonora Pass.
Given under my hand this nineteenth day of July
Marshal H. T. Kestrel
Territorial Marshal, Ninth District · Telegraph: BOWIE 4