S.O. PAYNE
Arizona Republican Newspaper
November 3, 1903
The continuation of the inquest into the circumstances of the
death of S.O. Payne who committed suicide by shooting the day
before, brought little that had not already been made known.
The jury, composed of C.W. Barnett, Frank Luke, W.W. Cook, W.I.
Horner and G.W. Mauk brought in a verdict that Payne had come
to his death by a pistol shot fired by his own hand with
suicidal intent.
It had been understood that he had burned all his papers,
but several were found only partially burned, but they
consisted of personal correspondence and throw no light on
the tragedy or the motive for it. There were also found
some checks and evidences of indebtedness from other people
to him all of which will be held awaiting instructions from
his relatives in Texas.
The time of the suicide was fixed at 8:30 o'clock. Payne's
landlady said that he returned to his room about 7 o'clock.
He had been drinking heavily and had to have some assistance
in opening his door. When he went in, he began arranging
his clothing carefully according to his custom and he was
heard moving about in the room for some time thereafter.
At 8:30 o'clock persons in the house heard a sound as if
something had fallen. No other sound came from the room
that day and it is believed that what was heard was the
deadened report of the revolver.
It was also brought out that his losses the night before
amounted to nearly $3000. His friends, though, do not
think that that was the cause of his suicide though it may
have been contributory to it. It is said that he had no
less than $5000 loaned to friends about Phoenix and it is
supposed that he had other property.
It was mentioned that he was not a man who would take a loss
so heavily. He had not seemed to care much for money and
whatever he had was his friends for the asking. But he was
certainly despondent about something when he left Washington
Street to go to his room. To the last man he talked with he
said," I am all in," and he said it in such a way that it
attracted the attention of the man to whom he was speaking.
He no doubt intended when he burned his papers to conceal the
addresses of his relatives. He had seldom spoken of them and
when he had done so he left an impression that he did not want
them either in life or in death. About two years ago, while
on a hunting expedition with Charles Collins he was shot and
seriously wounded. The shot entered his side and it was
feared that he was bleeding inwardly and would not live
until he could be brought to town. Mr. Collins told him
of the probability of his death, asked him for instructions
regarding his affairs and if he would like to have any of
his relatives sent for. He replied with emphasis, "Not a
soul of them. I have got along without them while I have
been alive and I can get along without them dead."
The address of his sister happened to be known to some of
his friends and a message was sent to her on Monday night.
No reply has been received. The town in which she lives is
some distance from a telegraph office and she probably will
not receive it until today. In the event no reply is
received, the funeral will be held this afternoon at 3:30
o'clock at the parlors of Easterling and Whitney under the
auspices of the Fraternal Order of Eagles.
A.Y. PEARSON
Arizona Republican Newspaper
January 29, 1903
The funeral service over the remains of A.Y. Pearson, who
died Monday afternoon, will be held this afternoon at 2
o'clock at the family residence near the west end of the
car line. The service will be conducted by Rev. C.V.
Cowan. The final disposition of the remains has not
yet been determined upon and they will be held for the
time being. The passing of Mr. Pearson marks the closing
of a short but remarkable business career as he was only
forty years of age and was entirely a self made man,
inheriting nothing but his genius, business, judgment
and his capacity for work.
In his earlier life he was intimately connected with
the theatrical profession through his ownership of
many notable plays though he was not a playwright
himself and his management of that business afforded
him good financial returns until failing health about
eleven years ago forced him to seek a different occupation.
He went to Ashville, N.C. where for a time he was under
the treatment of Dr. Karl von Ruck, the famous
tuberculosis specialist. Later he acquired
considerable property in Asheville. After a
residence there of three years, he went to Florida
and later to California. From California he took a
number of ostriches to the Omaha exposition, after
which it dawned on him that the ostrich business
might be made a great enterprise if it could be
properly handled. So he at once began to plan
the acquiring of all the birds in the country
and the selection of the best possible place for
their breeding. He came to Phoenix about three
years ago, bought the Phoenix Ostrich Farm and
birds, and though so sick he was unable to work
more than half the time he carried out his plans
so well that in a short time he had bought all
the birds in the United States except a few that
are held for exhibition purposes. The holdings
comprising the Phoenix Farm now amount to
approximately 2000 acres and in the neighborhood
of 1000 birds. The enterprise has become an
investment of huge proportions and is now
frequently referred to as the Ostrich Farm Trust.
Though there is not public information as to the value
of Mr. Pearson's estate, it will require at least six
figures to represent it and the figures used will by
no means be the smallest ones.
Mr. Pearson was confined to his bed for six weeks
previous to his death and realized fully that the sands
of his glass were passing rapidly. With good business
judgment, therefore, and thoughtfulness for his family
he made provision for the continuance of the business
as it is now organized, providing as far as possible
against any losses that might otherwise occur to the
estate through his death.
Mr. Pearson was a remarkably modest and retiring gentleman
who never sought publicity save when publicity was necessary
in a business way and bore the esteem of all his
acquaintances and those who had dealing with him.
He leaves to mourn him of his immediate family, a
wife, son and daughter.
ALICE PEARSON
Arizona Republican, April 1, 1903
Miss Alice Pearson died about 7 o'clock yesterday morning of
consumption after a long illness. She came here in January
from Chicago in company with her brother, Guy Pearson who is
employed at Thayer's store. She was 24 years old and an
estimable woman. The funeral will be held at 2 o'clock
this afternoon at the undertaking parlors of S.L.
Esterling. Dr. Halsey will officiate and interment
will be in Rosedale Cemetery.
MRS. IDA PECKHAM
Arizona Republican Newspaper
December 5, 1903
The funeral of Mrs. Ida Peckham who died Thursday morning
will be held at 2 o'clock this afternoon at Easterlings.
Mrs. Peckham came here from Fargo N.D., her husband being
a commercial traveler of that city. Her own family resides
in Springfield, Massachusetts. Rev. McAfee will officiate
at the funeral service.
GEORGE PERKINS
Arizona Republican Newspaper
August 16, 1903
George Perkins died last night between 10 and 11 o'clock
at 743 East Jefferson Street of injuries sustained from
falling in a well.
The incident of his injury it will be remembered was
published a few days ago. He was a colored man and was
engaged in digging a well on the ranch formerly owned by
Col. McCord, five miles northeast of the city. He went
down the well too soon after having fired a blast and
found the smoke unbearable. Instructing the man at the
top to raise him he started for the surface, the well being
forty feet deep. Ten feet from the surface he was overcome
with the gas and fell back to the bottom. It was assumed
that he was dead and the coroner and an undertaker were
sent for. By the time they arrived someone had taken him
from the well and he was regaining consciousness. It was
thought at the time that he would recover unless hurt
internally. No arrangements had been made for the funeral
last night.
