Mrs. R.S. Fowler, one of the earlier residents of the Valley
died yesterday afternoon. The death followed a surgical
operation to relieve an intestinal obstruction resulting
from the presence of gall stones. On account of the advanced
age of the patient, there was no recovery from the operation.
The funeral will take place at three o'clock tomorrow afternoon
at the residence at No. 143 South Third Street. Mrs. Fowler's
husband died here fourteen years ago. She leaves the following
children: Frank P., Lincoln, Henry, Gates M., Richard and Mrs.
Nellie Kennedy.
Mrs. Fowler was born in New Orleans on July 10, 1830. Her
father F.R. Taylor was a native of Vermont, but moved to New
Orleans and became one of the pioneers of Texas. In the
course of the border troubles in that state, Mrs. Fowler's
mother was captured by Comanche's and died soon after her
rescue. In 1858 her father moved to California and four years
later was lost at sea between Panama and New York on the
steamer Central America.
Mrs. Fowler was brought up in the family of Bishop M.M. Benson
of the Methodist Episcopal church. At that time she was
residing at San Jose. Mrs. Fowler taught school for some
time at San Jose and in 1857 married R.S. Fowler. Mrs.
Fowler had lived in the Salt River Valley for more than a
quarter of a century.
ABE FRANK
December 5, 1903
The announcement of the death of Abe Frank at his home in
this city on Sunday night last, November 29, at 8:20 o'clock
will bring true sorrow and regret to many hearts, says the
Yuma Sentinel.
In the stirring and perilous days of '67, the days of the
overland trail, of Indian raids and soldiers, when Yuma was
but a military post and supply station and La Paz now but a
memory was the county seat and the central camp of an active
gold placer mining district, Abe Frank came to La Paz to enter
the employ of Chris Loganheimer, then the leader merchant of
the camp. In 1870 he formed a partnership under the firm
name of Frank and Bryant, purchasing and succeeding to the
established business of his erstwhile employer. The new
firm forestalled the decadence of La Paz and shifted the
scene of their operations to Erhenburg in 1869 when that
town was laid out by Jack Stewart, Morris Goldwater and W.W.
Jones. There they erected and occupied the largest mercantile
structure in the county and gained an extensive and lucrative
trade up to 1883 when Abe was quick to note the greater
advantage and future possibilities of Gateway City and with
the courage of his convictions he disposed of his Erhenburg
interests and removed to that city.
Here for many years he took an active part in mercantile and
political circles. In commercial life he then gained an
enviable standing, but opposed to the maintenance of his
position was his natural open handed generosity. No man
ever appealed to him for assistance in vain. The ever
hopeful prospector and miner, rich in hopes but poor in
substance found in him a friend and backer.
He represented Yuma in the territorial legislature, served
as territorial prison commissioner, as mayor of Yuma and as
probate judge, being succeeded to the latter office by the
present incumbent when his physical disability prevented
further active participation.
Several years ago a form of paralysis gained on his bodily
powers to such an extent that about two years ago he became
practically helpless. This, in late months, kept him a
virtual prisoner in his own home. In his day Frank was a
power in Yuma County and in the Arizona territory.
His last request was that his mortal remains should be
interred in the consecrated ground of his faith, a Jewish
Cemetery and in accordance with his wish the earthly casket
from which the soul of a man and a gentleman had winged its
flight was taken by a sorrowing family on Tuesday night to
Los Angeles.
THOMAS GARCIA
July 2, 1903
Sunday last Thomas Garcia committed suicide at Crown
King by shooting himself in the head with a Winchester
rifle. He was a packer and had been running a pack
train which he owned. He leaves a wife and two children.
JOHN J. GARDINER
Feb. 10, 1903
John J. Gardiner died last evening at his home on East
Adams Street. He had not been in good health for months,
being subject to valvular trouble of the heart but his
final illness was of short duration. He was on the street,
Saturday attending to business matters as usual. Sunday
night he was taken with a sinking spell and grew gradually
worse to the end. The funeral services will be held at the
family residence Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock.
Mr. Gardiner was one of the oldest residents of this valley
and one of the largest property owners in the city. He has
been notable for his enterprise in bringing about new and
improved industrial conditions. He built the first planning
mill in this city and was associated in the erection of its
first electric light plant and the construction of the
Phoenix city water works. He also owned at his death,
beside a large amount of business and residence property
and some outside real estate, the Capitol Flouring Mills,
one of the largest plants in Arizona.
Mr. Gardiner was born in Gloucestershire, England,
June 21, 1841 where his ancestors had lived for generations
and where too, his first wife was born, she dying here some
years ago. In 1862 Mr. Gardiner came to America, beginning
his business career at Omaha, whence he crossed the plains
to Salt Lake City, and from there went to Montana and east
again to Nebraska. In 1869 he went to Los Angeles and in
1870 came to Arizona. He was engaged for the next twelve
years in freighting between Yuma and Tucson, Fort Grant
and Prescott, having several large wagons and a large
number of mules. During this time he had acquired
considerable property in Phoenix and about 1882 made
this his home ,having lived here most of the time since
then. His first business here was a blacksmith and
machine shop, where the flouring mill now stands.
As the result of his first matrimonial union there were two
children who are well known here, J.M. Gardiner and Mrs.
Thomas. J.M. Gardiner is now living in California. Some
years ago he was again married in this city. His wife who
survives him with their two children was born in California
but lived here a number of years and was well known as
Miss Laura Franklin.
ANDREW GARRETT
August 16, 1903
Andrew Garrett, a young man aged 19 and a well known resident
of Tombstone was accidentally shot and instantly killed Thursday
afternoon by Willie Blackburn, a companion. The fatality
occurred about three miles from Tombstone while hunting
rabbits. The shot from both barrels of a shotgun in the
hands of Blackburn entered the back of Garrett's head.
Without a groan the young man sank to the ground and expired
before his horrified companion could realize what had been
done. The dead boy and Blackburn were the best of friends
and Blackburn's story of the affair is accepted by all. No
blame is attached to the latter. The case is simply looked
upon by everyone as one of those inevitable accidents which
come up from time to time.
WILLIAM W. GERARD
November 10, 1903
At 11:30 o'clock yesterday William W. Gerrard, son of Dr. and
Mrs. E.M. Gerard breathed his last at the family residence on
Hibbert Street, this city.
He had been very ill for some time past and the end was known
to be near at hand. Deceased came to Arizona suffering from
the early stages of tuberculosis but had so far recovered that
no fear was felt on the score of his lungs. The cause of death
was due entirely to a complication of kidney, stomach and bowel
trouble.
William Gerard was twenty seven years old and came here from
Shelbiana, Missouri where he graduated with high honors from
high school and where he taught two successful terms of school.
He was an honorable, upright young man, highly respected both
in his old home and in Mesa. The date of the funeral has not
yet been decided upon. A sister Mary L. Gerard is teaching at
Cline, Arizona and if she can get here in time tomorrow the
funeral will be held in the afternoon, if not, it will be
postponed until Wednesday. Harry Gerard is also absent,
having returned to Fort Thomas where he is teaching. He
will arrive today. The family of Dr. Gerard have the
sympathy of the public in their bereavement.
The funeral of William Gerard
November 11, 1903
The funeral of William W. Gerrard, son of Doctor and Mrs.
E.W. Gerard of Mesa will be held at the family home this
forenoon. The body will be brought to Phoenix on the Phoenix
and Eastern train that arrives here at noon and will be
interred in Rosedale Cemetery.
There was a large attendance at the Methodist church at 12:30
for the funeral. Singing was by a quartette composed of
Mrs. Dr. Hawley, Mrs. C.W. Conger, Rev. H.F. Tolle and C.M.
Phelps. The sermon was preached by Rev. Mr. Penick, pastor
of the Episcopalian Church, Phoenix. The pall bearers were
Dr. J.E. Drane, John Drane, John Barnett, V. Wright and Dr.
R.D. Wilson.
