Edward is the son of Henry and Nancy nee ROBERTS Caviness.
Edward married Abbie nee BRUNN on March 30, 1890 in Colorado. To this union was born this known child: Eva born in 1892.
He is living with his sister, Rebecca CAVINESS Drew (as a widow) in the Jan 1920 census. Abbie divorced Edward.
Abbie next married Edward McCulloch about 1909 in Colorado.
---
Publication: Durango Democrat (Durango, La Plata Co., CO) August 14, 1900, front page, p. 1
CAVINESS SUES FOR PARDON
Montezuma County Murderer Ceases Trying the Courts—Convict Weldman's Story
Edward Caviness, in the penitentiary as murderer, has applied for a pardon. He was sentenced to 15 years in May, 1898. According to the trial record, he went into Dun's saloon in Mancos, Montezuma county, and there found Byron McGeough, the man who had been until a few weeks before his most intimate friend. According to Caviness, MeGeough stepped in between himself and his wife and was the principal cause of a divorce which Caviness sued, and which he lator [sic, later] secured. Caviness drew his gun, however, and fired three times, killing his man almost instantly.
Influences of the most powerful kind will be brought to bear.
Over a dozen attempts have been made in the higher courts to secure a new trial, but all have failed,d. Caviness has two brothers,each of whom is said to have, "killed his man."
---
Publication: Durango Democrat (Durango, La Plata Co., CO); May 18, 1906; front page, p. 1
M'DONALD PARDONS MURDERER CAVINESS (Denvr Post)
Citizens of Cortez, Colo., are up in arms because of the news which has just come there to the effect that a convict named Caviness, in whose conviction the entire town and community was interested, has been pardoned by Governor McDonald. The pardon was signed last February, but until last week not a word of it was heard in Cortez.
Caviness murdered Byron McGeoh, a cripple, at Mancos, in the spring of 1895, and was convicted in the district court in April. 1896, receiving a sentence of fifteen years in the penitentiary. McGeoh was sitting in a saloon with his crutches beside him when Caviness entered and shot him without a word of warning. McGeoh died instantly.
Nothing was heard of Caviness after his sentence until September, 1901, when news of his escape
from the penitentiary was received at Mancos. The pardon was granted in February of this year.
"I remember the case," said "Gov." McDonald today in expressing surprise at the indignation of the Cortez people. "The man had broken jail, it is true, but he had since married, had a family and was trying to live an upright life. We did what we thought was for his own good and I am sorry it has aroused criticism. "
---
Publication: Mancos Times-Tribune (Mancos, Montezuma Co., CO), May 18, 1906, front page, p.1 PARDON MYSTERY CAUSE COMMENT.
Special to The Chieftain.
Cortez, Colo., May 13.--Who is responsible for the pardoning of Caviness, who murdered Byron McGeoh in this country in the spring of 1895? This is the question which is puzzling Montezuma county officials as the result of a stray communication to the effect that Caviness had been pardoned by Governor McDonald on Feb. 6, 1906. Caviness was convicted in the district court here in April 1898 and received a sentence of 15 years in the penitentiary. His crime was the most cold blooded ever committed in this county. McGeoh, his victim, was a cripple and while sitting in a saloon in Mancos, Caviness came in and with a word, shot and killed McGeoh instantly. After being taken to Canon City, nothing was heard from him until Sept. 10, 1901, when he made his escape from the pen and has never been apprehended. Just how he secured his pardon under such circumstances is a mystery to the people of this section and they plainly intimate that it us up to the Governor McDonald to explain. No intimation was given officials here that a pardon had been asked for until the news was received that he had been pardoned.
---
THE MANCOS TIMES-TRIBUNE, Mancos, Montezuma Co., CO, July 10, 1908, p. 2
"Word was received here this week of a shooting at Roswell, New Mexico, in which Ed Caviness, youngest brother of Jim Caviness of Mancos, was severly wounded and may die. It appears that Caviness was taking part in a game and was gambling and when an officer stepped in to arrest the parties when the trouble began. Caviness was shot through and through in one place and had almost all of his fingers shot from his right hand. Caviness is well-known in Mancos." (Ed did not die from his wounds)
Edward married Abbie nee BRUNN on March 30, 1890 in Colorado. To this union was born this known child: Eva born in 1892.
He is living with his sister, Rebecca CAVINESS Drew (as a widow) in the Jan 1920 census. Abbie divorced Edward.
Abbie next married Edward McCulloch about 1909 in Colorado.
---
Publication: Durango Democrat (Durango, La Plata Co., CO) August 14, 1900, front page, p. 1
CAVINESS SUES FOR PARDON
Montezuma County Murderer Ceases Trying the Courts—Convict Weldman's Story
Edward Caviness, in the penitentiary as murderer, has applied for a pardon. He was sentenced to 15 years in May, 1898. According to the trial record, he went into Dun's saloon in Mancos, Montezuma county, and there found Byron McGeough, the man who had been until a few weeks before his most intimate friend. According to Caviness, MeGeough stepped in between himself and his wife and was the principal cause of a divorce which Caviness sued, and which he lator [sic, later] secured. Caviness drew his gun, however, and fired three times, killing his man almost instantly.
Influences of the most powerful kind will be brought to bear.
Over a dozen attempts have been made in the higher courts to secure a new trial, but all have failed,d. Caviness has two brothers,each of whom is said to have, "killed his man."
---
Publication: Durango Democrat (Durango, La Plata Co., CO); May 18, 1906; front page, p. 1
M'DONALD PARDONS MURDERER CAVINESS (Denvr Post)
Citizens of Cortez, Colo., are up in arms because of the news which has just come there to the effect that a convict named Caviness, in whose conviction the entire town and community was interested, has been pardoned by Governor McDonald. The pardon was signed last February, but until last week not a word of it was heard in Cortez.
Caviness murdered Byron McGeoh, a cripple, at Mancos, in the spring of 1895, and was convicted in the district court in April. 1896, receiving a sentence of fifteen years in the penitentiary. McGeoh was sitting in a saloon with his crutches beside him when Caviness entered and shot him without a word of warning. McGeoh died instantly.
Nothing was heard of Caviness after his sentence until September, 1901, when news of his escape
from the penitentiary was received at Mancos. The pardon was granted in February of this year.
"I remember the case," said "Gov." McDonald today in expressing surprise at the indignation of the Cortez people. "The man had broken jail, it is true, but he had since married, had a family and was trying to live an upright life. We did what we thought was for his own good and I am sorry it has aroused criticism. "
---
Publication: Mancos Times-Tribune (Mancos, Montezuma Co., CO), May 18, 1906, front page, p.1 PARDON MYSTERY CAUSE COMMENT.
Special to The Chieftain.
Cortez, Colo., May 13.--Who is responsible for the pardoning of Caviness, who murdered Byron McGeoh in this country in the spring of 1895? This is the question which is puzzling Montezuma county officials as the result of a stray communication to the effect that Caviness had been pardoned by Governor McDonald on Feb. 6, 1906. Caviness was convicted in the district court here in April 1898 and received a sentence of 15 years in the penitentiary. His crime was the most cold blooded ever committed in this county. McGeoh, his victim, was a cripple and while sitting in a saloon in Mancos, Caviness came in and with a word, shot and killed McGeoh instantly. After being taken to Canon City, nothing was heard from him until Sept. 10, 1901, when he made his escape from the pen and has never been apprehended. Just how he secured his pardon under such circumstances is a mystery to the people of this section and they plainly intimate that it us up to the Governor McDonald to explain. No intimation was given officials here that a pardon had been asked for until the news was received that he had been pardoned.
---
THE MANCOS TIMES-TRIBUNE, Mancos, Montezuma Co., CO, July 10, 1908, p. 2
"Word was received here this week of a shooting at Roswell, New Mexico, in which Ed Caviness, youngest brother of Jim Caviness of Mancos, was severly wounded and may die. It appears that Caviness was taking part in a game and was gambling and when an officer stepped in to arrest the parties when the trouble began. Caviness was shot through and through in one place and had almost all of his fingers shot from his right hand. Caviness is well-known in Mancos." (Ed did not die from his wounds)
Edward is the son of Henry and Nancy nee ROBERTS Caviness.
Edward married Abbie nee BRUNN on March 30, 1890 in Colorado. To this union was born this known child: Eva born in 1892.
He is living with his sister, Rebecca CAVINESS Drew (as a widow) in the Jan 1920 census. Abbie divorced Edward.
Abbie next married Edward McCulloch about 1909 in Colorado.
---
Publication: Durango Democrat (Durango, La Plata Co., CO) August 14, 1900, front page, p. 1
CAVINESS SUES FOR PARDON
Montezuma County Murderer Ceases Trying the Courts—Convict Weldman's Story
Edward Caviness, in the penitentiary as murderer, has applied for a pardon. He was sentenced to 15 years in May, 1898. According to the trial record, he went into Dun's saloon in Mancos, Montezuma county, and there found Byron McGeough, the man who had been until a few weeks before his most intimate friend. According to Caviness, MeGeough stepped in between himself and his wife and was the principal cause of a divorce which Caviness sued, and which he lator [sic, later] secured. Caviness drew his gun, however, and fired three times, killing his man almost instantly.
Influences of the most powerful kind will be brought to bear.
Over a dozen attempts have been made in the higher courts to secure a new trial, but all have failed,d. Caviness has two brothers,each of whom is said to have, "killed his man."
---
Publication: Durango Democrat (Durango, La Plata Co., CO); May 18, 1906; front page, p. 1
M'DONALD PARDONS MURDERER CAVINESS (Denvr Post)
Citizens of Cortez, Colo., are up in arms because of the news which has just come there to the effect that a convict named Caviness, in whose conviction the entire town and community was interested, has been pardoned by Governor McDonald. The pardon was signed last February, but until last week not a word of it was heard in Cortez.
Caviness murdered Byron McGeoh, a cripple, at Mancos, in the spring of 1895, and was convicted in the district court in April. 1896, receiving a sentence of fifteen years in the penitentiary. McGeoh was sitting in a saloon with his crutches beside him when Caviness entered and shot him without a word of warning. McGeoh died instantly.
Nothing was heard of Caviness after his sentence until September, 1901, when news of his escape
from the penitentiary was received at Mancos. The pardon was granted in February of this year.
"I remember the case," said "Gov." McDonald today in expressing surprise at the indignation of the Cortez people. "The man had broken jail, it is true, but he had since married, had a family and was trying to live an upright life. We did what we thought was for his own good and I am sorry it has aroused criticism. "
---
Publication: Mancos Times-Tribune (Mancos, Montezuma Co., CO), May 18, 1906, front page, p.1 PARDON MYSTERY CAUSE COMMENT.
Special to The Chieftain.
Cortez, Colo., May 13.--Who is responsible for the pardoning of Caviness, who murdered Byron McGeoh in this country in the spring of 1895? This is the question which is puzzling Montezuma county officials as the result of a stray communication to the effect that Caviness had been pardoned by Governor McDonald on Feb. 6, 1906. Caviness was convicted in the district court here in April 1898 and received a sentence of 15 years in the penitentiary. His crime was the most cold blooded ever committed in this county. McGeoh, his victim, was a cripple and while sitting in a saloon in Mancos, Caviness came in and with a word, shot and killed McGeoh instantly. After being taken to Canon City, nothing was heard from him until Sept. 10, 1901, when he made his escape from the pen and has never been apprehended. Just how he secured his pardon under such circumstances is a mystery to the people of this section and they plainly intimate that it us up to the Governor McDonald to explain. No intimation was given officials here that a pardon had been asked for until the news was received that he had been pardoned.
---
THE MANCOS TIMES-TRIBUNE, Mancos, Montezuma Co., CO, July 10, 1908, p. 2
"Word was received here this week of a shooting at Roswell, New Mexico, in which Ed Caviness, youngest brother of Jim Caviness of Mancos, was severly wounded and may die. It appears that Caviness was taking part in a game and was gambling and when an officer stepped in to arrest the parties when the trouble began. Caviness was shot through and through in one place and had almost all of his fingers shot from his right hand. Caviness is well-known in Mancos." (Ed did not die from his wounds)
Edward married Abbie nee BRUNN on March 30, 1890 in Colorado. To this union was born this known child: Eva born in 1892.
He is living with his sister, Rebecca CAVINESS Drew (as a widow) in the Jan 1920 census. Abbie divorced Edward.
Abbie next married Edward McCulloch about 1909 in Colorado.
---
Publication: Durango Democrat (Durango, La Plata Co., CO) August 14, 1900, front page, p. 1
CAVINESS SUES FOR PARDON
Montezuma County Murderer Ceases Trying the Courts—Convict Weldman's Story
Edward Caviness, in the penitentiary as murderer, has applied for a pardon. He was sentenced to 15 years in May, 1898. According to the trial record, he went into Dun's saloon in Mancos, Montezuma county, and there found Byron McGeough, the man who had been until a few weeks before his most intimate friend. According to Caviness, MeGeough stepped in between himself and his wife and was the principal cause of a divorce which Caviness sued, and which he lator [sic, later] secured. Caviness drew his gun, however, and fired three times, killing his man almost instantly.
Influences of the most powerful kind will be brought to bear.
Over a dozen attempts have been made in the higher courts to secure a new trial, but all have failed,d. Caviness has two brothers,each of whom is said to have, "killed his man."
---
Publication: Durango Democrat (Durango, La Plata Co., CO); May 18, 1906; front page, p. 1
M'DONALD PARDONS MURDERER CAVINESS (Denvr Post)
Citizens of Cortez, Colo., are up in arms because of the news which has just come there to the effect that a convict named Caviness, in whose conviction the entire town and community was interested, has been pardoned by Governor McDonald. The pardon was signed last February, but until last week not a word of it was heard in Cortez.
Caviness murdered Byron McGeoh, a cripple, at Mancos, in the spring of 1895, and was convicted in the district court in April. 1896, receiving a sentence of fifteen years in the penitentiary. McGeoh was sitting in a saloon with his crutches beside him when Caviness entered and shot him without a word of warning. McGeoh died instantly.
Nothing was heard of Caviness after his sentence until September, 1901, when news of his escape
from the penitentiary was received at Mancos. The pardon was granted in February of this year.
"I remember the case," said "Gov." McDonald today in expressing surprise at the indignation of the Cortez people. "The man had broken jail, it is true, but he had since married, had a family and was trying to live an upright life. We did what we thought was for his own good and I am sorry it has aroused criticism. "
---
Publication: Mancos Times-Tribune (Mancos, Montezuma Co., CO), May 18, 1906, front page, p.1 PARDON MYSTERY CAUSE COMMENT.
Special to The Chieftain.
Cortez, Colo., May 13.--Who is responsible for the pardoning of Caviness, who murdered Byron McGeoh in this country in the spring of 1895? This is the question which is puzzling Montezuma county officials as the result of a stray communication to the effect that Caviness had been pardoned by Governor McDonald on Feb. 6, 1906. Caviness was convicted in the district court here in April 1898 and received a sentence of 15 years in the penitentiary. His crime was the most cold blooded ever committed in this county. McGeoh, his victim, was a cripple and while sitting in a saloon in Mancos, Caviness came in and with a word, shot and killed McGeoh instantly. After being taken to Canon City, nothing was heard from him until Sept. 10, 1901, when he made his escape from the pen and has never been apprehended. Just how he secured his pardon under such circumstances is a mystery to the people of this section and they plainly intimate that it us up to the Governor McDonald to explain. No intimation was given officials here that a pardon had been asked for until the news was received that he had been pardoned.
---
THE MANCOS TIMES-TRIBUNE, Mancos, Montezuma Co., CO, July 10, 1908, p. 2
"Word was received here this week of a shooting at Roswell, New Mexico, in which Ed Caviness, youngest brother of Jim Caviness of Mancos, was severly wounded and may die. It appears that Caviness was taking part in a game and was gambling and when an officer stepped in to arrest the parties when the trouble began. Caviness was shot through and through in one place and had almost all of his fingers shot from his right hand. Caviness is well-known in Mancos." (Ed did not die from his wounds)
Family Members
Siblings
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William Caviness
1838–1877
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Nancy Jane Caviness Kemp
1839–1862
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Lucinda Ann "Louanna" Caviness Montgomery
1842–1880
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Sophronia "Sophia" Caviness Gerhardt
1848–1925
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James Monroe "Jim" Caviness
1849–1916
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John Henry Caviness Sr
1852–1900
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Mary Ellen Caviness Burnett
1855–1931
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Robert Albert "Bob" Caviness
1856–1898
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![]()
Martha Alice Caviness Hoffman
1857–1934
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Susan Caviness
1860–1861
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Rebecca Isabel Caviness Drew
1861–1939
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Matthew Sam "Matt" Caviness
1862–1936
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![]()
Amanda Caviness
1867–1880
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Joseph F. Caviness
1869 – unknown
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