Mr. B.A. Fickas yesterday morning suffered an apoplectic
stroke at his office in the Monihon Building and at a late
hour last night his life was almost despaired of. He was
at his desk when he felt a sudden sharp pain in the head.
A few minutes later he was overcome by the stroke and fell
unconscious. That was a little after 11 o'clock. Dr.
Duffield was sent for. He advised against the removal
of the stricken man to his home and he was placed in the
most comfortable position possible in his office. At
various times during the day he recovered consciousness
and talked of his condition. Once he wanted to get up.
The periods of consciousness were not of very long
duration and late at night it could not be said that
there had been an improvement of his condition on which
a hope of recovery could be hung.
The recurrences of consciousness became less frequent as
the night proceeded and after 6 o'clock there were none
at all. Then the physicians almost abandoned hope and
there was only a conjecture as to the hour of his death.
All afternoon the street in front of the office was
thronged with the friends of Mr. Dickas and he was
surrounded by the members of his family until long
after midnight. At that time he had not been unconscious
for seven hours. At 10 o'clock there was a favorable
lowering of the temperature but later it rose again.
At 2 o'clock this morning it fell, the extremities had
grown cold, the pulse was silent as to the watchers at
the bedside and the physicians sent for.
Mr. Fickas had a similar but much less violent attack at
Iron Springs two years ago.
The news of the stroke quickly spread all over town, for
he is not only one of the earliest residents of Phoenix
but though not an old man yet, he is one of the pioneers
of the territory.
He came to Arizona in 1876. His first residence was at
Maricopa Wells. He after that went to Tucson and became
chief clerk of the council of the legislature which sat
at Prescott in 1879. It was about that time that the
Tombstone excitement sprang up and Mr. Fickas was among
the earliest on the ground. He was elected to the next
legislature from Tombstone which was then a part of Pima
County. It was during that legislature that Cochise
County was created. He served for several years as clerk
of the court for that county. He came to Phoenix in 1886
and engaged in the real estate and abstract business which
he has successfully followed ever since.
He is 55 years of age and is a native of Indiana though
before coming to this territory he lived for some time
in Missouri and San Diego, California. He leaves beside
his family, consisting of his wife and a daughter, Bessie
and two sons, William and Melvin, a brother William F.
Fickas.
H.M. FIELD
January 24, 1903
The following from the Detroit Press of January 17 is an
account of the death of a young man who spent some time
here last winter in company with a son of Senator McMillen.
Both gentlemen made many intimate acquaintances during
their short stay and who will be grieved to learn of Mr.
Field's untimely death:
Detroit's business and social circles were greatly shocked
yesterday morning by the news of the death of Herbert
Field which occurred at Colorado Springs, Colorado on
Thursday. Mr. Field had been west for his health for
nearly two years, first going to New Mexico, thence to
Arizona and finally to Colorado Springs. He was a
sufferer of tuberculosis and while his death was not
entirely unexpected, it is a loss to his relatives and
friends and is a deep one and keenly felt. He was
about 35 years of age, and until he left Detroit for
his health he was very active in the business world.
"He was a most thorough and energetic business man,"
said Mr. Currie yesterday afternoon and "the loss is a
great one."
"Before he left Detroit he was associated
with me as manager of our company and his energy and
ability were invaluable to us."
Mr. Field married Miss Edith Stanton, the daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. Alexander M. Stanton and they have one
child, who died when three years old. His wife and
sister-in-law, Mrs. J.H. Brewster of Ann Arbor,
were with him when the end came. He was the only
son of Mrs. E.W. Meddaugh of Grosse Pointe Farms.
Mr. Field's first business connection was with the Michigan
Car Company which position he resigned to become the private
secretary to Hugh McMillan. Later he became the business
manager for Cameron, Currie and Company which situation he
held when he was obliged to leave the city because of his poor
health. The remains will be brought to Detroit for internment.
JAMES FLAHERTY
December 10, 1903
James Flaherty, one of Phoenix's oldest settlers died last
evening of pneumonia, after an illness dating from last
Saturday. Mr. Flaherty came here about twenty years ago
and by industry and hard work acquired considerable property,
living at the time of his death on a 160 acre ranch a mile and
a half north of the city on the Black Canyon Road. He was an
estimable man and was well respected. He leaves a wife and
a six year old daughter, to mourn his death. He was somewhat
advanced in years, being in the neighborhood of sixty. No
funeral arrangements have been made.
CHARLES FLEMING
April 6, 1903
Cave Creek -- Charles Fleming, a pioneer of Cave Creek died
April 6 at 3 p.m. at his home near the Phoenix mine. Two
months ago the postmaster at Cave Creek noticed that his
mail was accumulating and at the same time made inquiry as
to when "Uncle Charley" was last seen. As he was known to
be alone a messenger was at once dispatched who found the
old gentleman quite sick and nearly out of provisions, as
he had been accustomed to carry with him a burro load when
coming after his mail.
The next day he was brought down to the residence of James
D. Houck whose family did all they could for him and all
he needed until three weeks ago when he seemed on the road
to recovery and was anxious to return to his cabin. Two
weeks after he was taken sick his brother, Rev. George
Fleming of Los Angeles came to take care of him and was
with him till the end. Another brother from Texas was
with him for a few days. He will probably be buried near
his cabin.
Charles Fleming entered the Confederate Army when a young
man enlisting in a full troop of Texas Cavalry. He was in
the battle of Chickamauga and the other actions in that
vicinity about that time and was one of the five original
troop of 150 who came out alive. He did his utmost for a
lost cause but came out a reconstructed, patriotic citizen
and known as such wherever he lived.
He came to Cave Creek in 1882 affected with pulmonary
aliments, the result of his privations and exposure
during the war. Though a feeble man he kept up and
did a man's part in the development of Cave Creek and
no one ever departed to the unknown realm more beloved
and regretted than "Uncle Charlie." He was one of the
bravest and truest of the gray and after the war was
over there was not among the blues a more patriotic
citizen of the great republic.
GEORGE W. FORD
July 27, 1903
George W. Ford, who settled in Prescott about twenty
five years ago, died Friday afternoon after a few days
illness of heart disease. Mr. Ford was engaged in
business in Prescott till about ten years ago, when
he was taken sick and became mentally unbalanced.
He was finally brought to the asylum here where he
remained till last May, when he was discharged fully
restored, mentally, though he did not regain his
former strength and vigor. He was a prominent member
of the Old Fellows Lodge and one of the leading
spirits in the early days, the order maintaining
its kindly watch-care during his long confinement
in the asylum, members of the Prescott lodge
escorting him home when he was released. He was
buried on Saturday with the honors of the order.
A wife and four daughters survive him.
J.P. FOREST
November 23, 1903
J.P. Forrest died at this place Sunday of consumption,
combined with Bright's disease. He came several weeks ago
for his health but he was in very bad shape at the time and
the change was made too late. His home was in Andersonville,
Indiana. His sister was telegraphed before his death and was
expected here today. She will accompany the remains home.
