I opened it up and pulled an except from the Edward Byrnes biography - just a tidbit un-edited:

“In the absence of leader Byrnes, taking opportunistic advantage of the “Feast” meant the gang was temporarily led by “Off Wheeler” and “One-Armed” Maloney. Not that they would be the only crooks attending:

"As the Feast approaches sharpers of all kinds gather into the city. We must look out for games and tricks of all kinds. Thieves, burglars, pick-pockets and cut throats will be here in large numbers."
[Tucson Weekly Citizen – 8/25/1881]

The former Benson gang, wholly personified by the above description went on a virtual crime spree. Besides setting up normal wares for fleecing pedestrians, about eight members went for broke, to include safe cracking, threat of murder and witness tampering. Harlan and Maloney were arrested on September 7 subsequent to attempting to assist six others already in custody at Tucson:

"J.J. Harlan, the “Off Wheeler,” was arrested yesterday afternoon on complaint of Charles Fryingpan, charged with threatening the life of the latter. Harlan was bound over in the sum of $1,000 to keep the peace, and bail for the required amount was promptly furnished. Fryingpan was a witness for the prosecution in the examination of the suspected safe burglars, and the trouble with Harlan was on account of the former’s testimony, the latter claiming that Fryingpan exhibited personal animus against one of the accused, who was a friend of Harlan.
Judge Meyer yesterday rendered his decision in the case of A. Rudifer, Thomas Williams, Charles Carr, Charles Henry, alias “the Kid,” Thomas Clancy, and Perley Payne, the alleged safe robber. They were held to await action the grand jury, bail being fixed at $1,000 each, in default of which they were committed to jail."
[Tucson Weekly Star – 9/8/1881]

Meantime, Big Ed had been stuck in Tombstone with jail and court problems after shooting Deputy McComas at Benson. But he never quit searching for opportunity for completing revenge - this upon the fearless Morgan Earp whose brave action had precipitated the gang’s exit……”

As Gary pointed out, by the time of your 1884 article a couple of the Earps were fugitives but the provocative name itself made for good copy storyline. I mean, that highly expensive badge for honorary recognition of Johnson had to be accompanied with approptiate story.
Fact is, I can put up how Chief Buttner received a similar badge two years before for lesser sounding performance.

Kenny