Yuma--Constable Alexander, the murderer of Mrs.
Mary Burns, wife of Joseph Burns, was shot and
mortally wounded at nine o'clock this morning when
half way across the street from the court house
going toward the penitentiary after receiving a
life sentence. Sam King, a brother of Mrs. Burns,
is in custody, but is probably not the shooter.
King, the father and Frank M. King, a brother are
also here. The shot from a rifle came from a house
next south of the old Levy store. There is great
excitement here. Fain and Miller, who were with
Alexander when Mrs. Burns was killed and who were
also indicted for the murder will probably be
granted a change of venue. The Kings are members
of an excellent family and all of them, father and
sons are peaceable but it is known that when
provoked they do not estimate human life highly.
The father and his son Sam have been engaged in
bloody affairs on the frontier. Sam King, who has
lately been residing in Mexico was for a long time
employed in the customs office as a line rider.
Frank M. King was for many years a newspaper reporter
in Phoenix. He was later under sheriff of this
county and was subsequently chief clerk at the
Nogales custom house. He was still later the
editor and owner of the Border Vidette and is
presently engaged in the brokerage business at
Tucson.
The Killing of Alexander
April 11, 1901
Few additional details were learned yesterday of the
shooting of Constable Alexander at Yuma on Tuesday
morning. Judge Street who has been holding court at
Yuma and Judge Baker who had been defending Alexander,
charged with the murder of Mrs. J.J. Burns, returned
yesterday morning from Yuma. Excitement in the city
is intense with most being on the side of the Kings.
In these circumstances it was plainly impossible to get
together an unbiased jury for the trial of Miller and
Fain.
Some light has been thrown upon the animosity felt by the
Kings against Fain though he did not murder Mrs. Burns.
He was held responsible for perhaps for having induced
Alexander to shoot for his reputation is bad, while
that of Alexander has been good. It has since been
learned that about fifteen years ago Fain had trouble
in which a killing occurred in California with a family
named Burns, to which it is now thought the husband of
Mrs. Burns belonged.
More on the killing
April 12, 1901
A gentleman who was at Yuma on the day of the shooting of
Constable Alexander arrived in town yesterday morning and
told the following story of that tragedy: the jury which
was trying Alexander for the murder of Mrs. Burns arrived
at a verdict on Monday night after the adjournment of the
court. It was a sealed verdict to be delivered the next
morning yet everyone in Yuma that night knew what it was,
murder in the first degree. It was predicted that night
that Alexander would die an unnatural death. The Kings,
father and brothers of Mrs. Burns, would be satisfied with
nothing less than Alexander's death."
Frank M. King had been disarmed on Monday because he was
more expressive if not more determined than his brother,
Sam King who had said nothing. On Tuesday at 9 o'clock
the prisoner was brought into court to hear the sentence.
None of the Kings were present. The verdict was read and
Sheriff Livingston was directed to take Alexander to the
penitentiary. He was escorting Alexander down the street,
surrounded by deputies when suddenly Alexander sank and
at the same time was a dull report of a rifle. He was
carried to the court house porch and when he was laid
down he said, "I'm not hurt much." It was the opinion
of the doctor who had been summoned that a man shot
through the kidneys, liver and abdomen didn't have a
chance. Considering the circumstances and the great
distance it was, the consensus of opinion at Yuma is
that it was a fine shot.
WILLARD ALLEN
September 8, 1901
Prescott: One of the most cold blooded murders happened
here this a.m. that has been known in years. Willard Allen,
an old time stage driver and at present employed in driving
the stage between this place and McCabe had a few words
with a man by the name of Fred Leonard yesterday, the
nature of which is unknown.
Allen was sleeping in his wagon when Leonard about 5 o'clock
this morning crept up to the wagon, placed the revolver close
to Allen's face and pulled the trigger, the ball entering
Allen's mouth and coming out the back of his head.
While at this hour, he still breathes, his life is despaired
of. Leonard afterwards disappeared and it being sometime
before the alarm was given, had a good start. A sheriff's
posse is scouring the surrounding country and all trains
are watched. His capture is momentarily expected.
CHARLES ANDERSON
December 10, 1901
A sad accident occurred eight miles west of here last Friday,
resulting in the death of a young man in the employ of the
Santa Fe Pacific by the name of Charles H. Anderson.
It appears that Anderson who was a stranger in this section,
had been working at that point for two or three days before
the explosion in the capacity of powder man. It is the duty
of the powder man to keep the material in readiness for
instant use in blasting, and as the weather has been rather
cool recently it was necessary to warm the explosive before
using. Anderson, to facilitate matters, it seems, had
placed a large piece of sheet iron over the fire. Whether
he dropped a stick of dynamite on the iron or from what
cause, will never be known, but suddenly there was an
explosion, resulting in the instant death of the unfortunate
man.
The deceased has a mother and sister living at Newcastle,
Colorado to whom the sad news was telegraphed. He was a
promising young man and had been a volunteer in the war
with Spain, serving in Cuba throughout the campaign. His
remains were interred at the scene of the accident last
Saturday under the direction of Undertaker J.S. Button.
Williams News.
JOHN ARCHER
October 19, 1901
Mr. John Shreve Archer died very suddenly yesterday forenoon
of acute dilatation of the heart. He was taken very violently
ill about midnight Thursday and though his private physician
was at hand, the patient grew worse. Yesterday morning other
local physicians were called in but nothing could be done.
Mr. Archer was 37 years old and was born in Dayton Ohio.
His father was one of the first linseed oil manufacturers
in the United States and invented and patented much of the
machinery used in linseed oil manufacture, machinery, most
of which has not since been improved upon. The young man
grew up in a business environment and at the early age of
16 went into business for himself in St. Paul.
A few years ago himself and brother were prime movers in
the organization of what is now known as the American Linseed
Oil Company. The dead man is well known in business circles
all over the northwest including Montana, Oregon and
Washington and came from the latter state to Phoenix.
His health was not good and he was first attracted to
Arizona about two years ago by its mild and healthful
climate. He improved so rapidly he became an enthusiast
on the subject and built a sanitarium on North central
Avenue as he said for the purpose of regaining his own
health and affording a home for others similarly afflicted.
Dr. H.H. Stone came here with him in the capacity of private
physician and has made his home at the sanitarium where he
could be in constant attendance with him. Mr. Archer was
feeling remarkably well on Thursday and was in the city but
began to feel bad in the evening and by midnight his
condition was alarming. He was not a married man but
two sisters were at his bedside in the closing hours.
Undertaker Bradley prepared the body for shipment and it
will be sent to Dayton and placed in the family vault.
The sisters of the dead man and Dr. Stone, his physician
and trusted friend will escort the remains on the sad
journey east and after the funeral will return to Phoenix
for the winter.
CALVIN ASHLEY
Probate Court Notice
July 18, 1901
The principal business in probate court yesterday was
the passing upon the claims against the estate of Calvin
Ashley. One of the principles was Emma Ashley, whose
claim amounted for $119.75 for money advanced. It was
supported by leaves from a memorandum book in which the
items were originally entered. Many of them appeared to
have been presents and the court cut them out of the
claim allowing $100.
