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Tombstone, Arizona, August 14th, 1896.

A telegram from Sheriff Fly was received at the sheriff's office late last night,

giving the sad news of the death of Line Rider Robson, who was with Sheriff Fly's posse

while having a fight with the Nogales bank robbers who were trailed to Skeleton Canyon near the New Mexican line.

Previous telegrams sent in by courier showed the posse were hot on the trail and gaining

on the robbers until last evening unexpectedly, the posse which included Sheriff Fly of

Cochise, Sheriff Leatherwood of Pima, Sheriff Alford and Johnson, and later joined by

Guard Robson, were ambushed, and what transpired is explained in the telegram, which is published

herewith and reads as follows. Quote, Blackjack and gang ambushed us yesterday evening in Skeleton Canyon, killed Robson, Custom Guard.

The first fire killed two horses and wounded another.

They got two out of our horses, we two of theirs.

Think we wounded two, not certain as they were concealed. It was a stubborn flight,

signed, Fly, and Leatherwood. Blackjack referred to the leader of the Cowboys, who is believed to have led the attempted hold-up.

The killing of Robson shocked the many friends of the popular and well-known guard,

being well-known in Tombstone, having lived there with his family for some time.

Robson was a young man but 24 years old and leaves a devoted wife and child

to mourn his untimely end in their hour of affliction, the community

extend their heartfelt sympathy and condolence.

The particulars of the fight between the posse and the Nogales bank robbers at Skelton Canyon

and the killing of Frank Robson shows that the robbers were hard pressed and realizing a fight must ensue,

resorted to the cowardly manner of ambushing the officers and opening fire with the intention of slaughtering off the hounds of the law.

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