Christopher B. Heaton Murdered By Thieves In Mexico

Surprised by Murders at Work and Was Shot-

Supposed Assassins are Caught-Great Loss to Colonies

 E. G. Woolley, Jr., received a letter yesterday from his uncle and Colonia Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico, containing an account of the murder of Christopher B. Heaton, near Colonia Pacheco, on November 10.

Mr. Heaton was one of the best-known men in Utah, and leaves a large circle of friends and relatives to mourn his untimely death.

With reference to his murder, the letter says:

I just received the sad news of the death of Christopher B. Heaton, and thinking perhaps you would like for the paper, in case you cannot get a full account from the Colonia. I send you this, to be fixed up as you please: Brother Heaton was First Counselor to Bishop Jesse N. Smith, Jr., of Colonia Pacheco. Last September he came down to Colonia Dublan, to make molasses, and finished on Saturday, November 9, in the evening. That night to barrels of molasses were stolen and next morning he found one of them cash away in the pumice. He then decided to watch the next night and see if the thieves came after the cash to barrel. That night about 8 o’clock some Mexicans with a yoke of oxen and a wagon came loaded up the molasses. It is not known what took place, but three shots were heard by Brother Breinholt, who was nearby, and as he ran to see what was the matter, he heard the wagon rattling off. He followed and two Mexicans were caught with the team and molasses and put under arrest. Brother Heaton was found dead, having been shot. His head also was terribly beaten with a club. Several other Mexicans have been arrested, and it is hoped the guilty parties will be put to death. The officers of Casas Grandes appear to be doing all they can to catch the murderers. Brother Heaton’s death will be a terrible loss to the Mexican colonies, as he was one of our leading men, and was highly respected by everyone. He was buried in Colonia Dublan.

This newspaper article appeared in the Salt Lake Tribune, Sunday November 24, 1895 page 5.