Ex United States Marshal Paul, who was in the city yesterday
related interesting reminiscences of staging in California,
recalled by the murder of Michael Tovey, the Wells Fargo
messenger, near Jackson last Thursday.
Marshal Paul was well acquainted with Tovey and for several
years prior to 1877 was a messenger with him between Carson
and Bodie, and also between Virginia and Pioche.
Clint Radcliffe, the driver, who was with Tovey the other day
when he was killed, was at that time running between Indian
Wells and Darwin. Those were troublesome times in Nevada and
on a part of the route on which Marshal Paul and Tovey ran
the services, three messengers were required. To estimate
the necessity for this precaution it may be mentioned that
during the month on which Marshal Paul quit the Nevada
service and came to Arizona for Wells Fargo, the stages on
which he was messenger carried out gold bullion valued at
$670,000.
His place was filled by Tovey, who was succeeded by a well
known Wells Fargo messenger named Woodruff, a brother of Hank
Woodruff, who formerly resided in this territory.
Along in 1880 one day the stage, supertended by Tovey and
Woodruff was attacked between Carson and Bodie by Sharp and
Jones. Jones was killed by Tovey and Sharp escaped but was
afterward captured at San Francisco and sent up for a long
term. Speaking of the letter said to have been received by
Tovey a few days before the murder singed, "Sharp" Marshal
Paul said the authorities ought to have known where Sharp
was. He believes unless he was pardoned he has not yet
completed his term at San Quentin and that the letter was a
blind, a conclusion also arrived at by the probability that
Sharp if he had intended to murder the messenger would hardly
have notified him of his intentions.
That line on which Tovey was killed has always been regarded
as the most dangerous in California. It originally extended
from Mokeiumne to Ione, taking in Amador, Drytown and other
points. It was shortened by railroads until it now runs only
from Jackson to Ione. The first messenger on that line was
Lee Matthews, who was afterward appointed by Governor Booth
to a responsible position at San Quentin and is now connected
with the detective service at San Francisco. Matthews was
succeeded by Marshal Paul, who held the run two years and
was transferred to Nevada. He was followed by Tom McGee.
McGee was shot three times and died in the service of the
company, not from wounds but it is believed from continual
apprehension that he would be killed. After McGee came Jim
Luddy who is at present assessor of Calaveras county. Tovey
succeed Luddy.
FAY FLORA TRACY
August 15, 1893
DIED on Saturday evening August 12, 1893, Fay Flora Tracy,
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ora Tracy, aged 14 years. She died
at the residence of her parents near Peoria, northwest of
this city. The funeral occurred at 2 o'clock yesterday and
the remains were interred in the city cemetery.
AMY WALBRIDGE
March 29, 1893
Amy, daughter of A.P. and Narcissa Walbridge, aged 5 years
and 10 months died March 28. Funeral from the Christian
Church, corner Jefferson and Second Streets at 3 p.m. today.
Rev. Jean Vane officiating.
W.B. WALLACE
January 1, 1893
About a week ago W.B. Wallace of Kyle Texas left Phoenix
to return to his home. He had come to the city several
weeks before in search of relief from lung trouble. He was
in such a bad way that there seemed to be no hope for him
from the first and accordingly he resolved to return. He
was found dead when the train reached San Antonio, having
died in the night sometime after leaving El Paso. During
his stay here he made many friends who were deeply grieved
to learn through a letter from his brother yesterday of
his sudden death.
FRANK WILCOX
February 5, 1893
The many friends of Frank Wilcox will be pained to learn
of his demise on January 23 at Beloit, Wisconsin, the
following mention of which is made in one of the dailies
of that city. Fred A. Wilcox, aged 36 died at 1 o'clock
today from consumption at the residence of his father, H.W.
Wilcox. He was a graduate of Boloit College in 1879 and of
Columbia Law School and while at the latter institution was
attacked with hemorrhage. Soon after he went to Arizona
and engaged in the cattle business at Phoenix for his
health's sake, the insidious disease slowly undermined
his constitution and last October he was brought home
in a very delicate condition and lingered until came.
He was a genial young man with friends everywhere he was
known.
MRS.O.H. WILLIAMS
January 23, 1893
Mrs. O.H. Williams died last night shortly before midnight
at the residence of her husband on Jackson Street between
Pima and Maricopa. The funeral will take place at 3:30
this afternoon from the undertaking parlors of W.H. Smith.
H.A. WILSON
June 21, 1893
H.A. Wilson, the father-in-law of Marshal Blankenship died at
his residence on West Adams Street yesterday of dropsy. The
funeral will take place at 9 o'clock this morning. A telegram
was sent to Marshal and Mrs. Blankenship who are at San
Bernardino.
DR. R.R. WOLCOTT
March 11, 1893
The body of Dr. R.R. Wolcott who died here last Monday was
shipped by Randal and Davis last night to his former home
at Weathersfield, Conn. under the care of his wife, Mrs.
Lillian Wolcott. D.r and Mrs. Wolcott came to Phoenix
about three months ago on account of the ill health of
the doctor. Dr. Wolcott though only 24 years of age was
demonstrator of anatomy at an eastern medical college.
Baby WOODS
July 25, 1893
Death has again entered the home of Howard Woods, this time
claiming the little infant twin, the survivor of the pair,
the other living but a few hours. In their bereavement,
Mr. and Mrs. Woods have the sympathy of everyone in Tempe,
for all know Howard.
MRS. MAACK
May 7, 1901
Mrs. Maack, a sister of J.Q.A. King died yesterday
morning about 5 o'clock at the residence of her brother
on West Adams Street. The remains were sent to Omaha on
last night's train, escorted by her husband. She was 32
years old and died of lung trouble.
JEREMIAH MALCOLM
February 1, 1901
Probate Court Notice
In the matter of the estate of Jeremiah Malcolm,
deceased. Order to show cause why order of sale of
real estate should not be made. It appearing to the
Court this day presented and filed by J. Ernest Walker,
administrator of the estate of Jeremiah Malcolm,
deceased that it is necessary to sell the whole or
some portion of the real estate to said decedent to
pay the debts of decedent and the expenses and charges
of administration. J.H. Langston
RAMON MANSO
April 16, 1901
Raymond Manso, a sheep herder in the employ of O.T. Smith
of Johnson was found dead in his camp last Thursday morning.
At the inquest held at Johnson by Justice Wien, it developed
that the Mexican had built a good fire in the night and lay
down by it to sleep. A strong wind blew during the night
and set fire to his clothes, burning him fatally. He was
found next morning dead with his clothes practically burned
off him.
MARSHALL PETE
December 1, 1901
The Indian killed near Camp Verde a short time since, was
Marshall Pete, who is pretty well known in Prescott, having
visited here a number of times. Pete was an old army scout
and so far as his relations with the whites were concerned
always bore a good reputation, being friendly and peaceable.
He was pretty well advanced in years and the Indians living
in the Verde Valley looked upon him as a sort of leader or
chief. On his visits to Prescott on any kind of business
which affected the Indians, Pete was always the spokesman.
The Indians, however, complained that to them he was
arbitrary, overbearing and inclined to be despotic and
while they seemed to fear him, many of them also hated him.
The trouble that resulted in his death arose over a game of
cards. The Indians are quite industrious and work for the
citizens of the Verde Valley during the day, but are inveterate
gamblers among themselves and spend much of their time at
night in that pastime, their favorite game being coon-can.
Pete and a number of other Indians were engaged in this game,
among the number being his slayer, known by the name of Lou.
The latter had lost all his money and Pete ordered him out
of the game. With a sweep of the hand Lou raked in all the
coin in sight and then proceeded to obey the mandate to
retire.
Pete ordered him to return the money and on his failing to do
so proceeded to follow him with the ostensible purpose of
forcing him to give it up. Lou seized a Winchester rifle
and fired two shots, both taking effect, the bullets passing
through Pete's body and he fell dead. The murderer then left
camp and the next day Constable Hutcheson was notified of the
killing and he with Indians have been on his tracks ever
since. The Indian has remained in the immediate neighborhood
beating through the brush but the Indian trailers seem to be
afraid of him and do not care to follow the trail when it
becomes too warm.
Pete's wife was found dead hanging to a tree about a year
ago and it was reported that she had committed suicide
although ominous hints were thrown out by the Indians that
he had something to do with her death and that it was not a
voluntary act on her part. Journal Miner.
