EDWARD MESSE
Arizona Republican Newspaper
March 1904
Edward Messe, better known as "Frenchy" dropped dead last
night about six o'clock at the Star Lodging House. There
was an inquest and it was determined that death was the
result of natural causes. Messe had lived in Phoenix for
a quarter of a century. He was a cook and had been
employed in the restaurants of Phoenix from the earliest
times and also in the mining camps. Very little is known
of his history. For several years he has been in receipt
of an annuity of $200 which was sent him in semi-annual
installments. He had received an installment and had been
drinking hard since. From letters found in his possession
it was learned that he had relatives in Detroit and also
in Canada. Nobody could be found last night who had lived
here longer than he had.
In a Paupers Grave
March 5, 1904
The body of Edward Messe, the genial old Frenchman who during
his twenty five year residence of Phoenix gained the title
of "Old Frenchy" will probably be laid to rest in a
pauper's grave. He died quite suddenly a week ago in
the Star Lodging House, and an inquest was held over his
remains by the coroner. The body has been held at the
undertaking parlors in the hope that some friend or
relative of the old man would pay for the funeral expenses
and save the remains from the pauper's ground but none
such have as yet put in an appearance.
Messe received an annuity of $200 from the estate of a sister
who died in Detroit Michigan several years ago. Upon the
death of the old man, Justice Burnett wrote to Tarsney and
Fitzpatrick, a firm of lawyers of Detroit, who had charge
of the estate of the sister, apprising them of the death of
the man. It was hoped that sufficient money would be due
from the estate to pay for funeral expenses but word was
received yesterday that the annuity died with the
beneficiary and consequently there was nothing coming to him.
A letter has been sent to Mrs. Francois of Windsor, Canada
who was related to the deceased asking if she has any
instructions as to the disposition of the remains. An
answer to this letter is now being awaited and if it is
not received during the next few days the body will be
buried at the expense of the county and the remains of
the pioneer resident of Phoenix will be laid at rest in
that portion of the cemetery set aside for paupers.
M.W. MESSINGER
Arizona Republican Newspaper
August 19, 1904
A telegram under date of Wednesday was received here
yesterday by L.L. Plank, announcing the sudden and
unexpected death of M.W. Messinger, one of the best
known citizens of this city and county. The other
information contained in the telegram was that death
resulted from heart disease.
There was a story current here yesterday that Mr.
Messinger was suddenly stricken on the street but
from other sources it is learned that he had been
troubled somewhat with heart disease before and a
day or two ago went to San Francisco to see Dr.
Sweetnam of Phoenix who is visiting there and who
returned with him to Monterey, thus indicating that
he was quite ill for a day or so before his death.
No previous illness, however, had been alarming for
his Phoenix friends have always supposed him to be
in rugged health and his visit to Monterey was for
the benefit of Mrs. Messinger's health. The body
will be brought home for interment, though no
funeral arrangements have yet been made. It was
first supposed from the date of the telegram that
the body would arrive here today but it is more
likely it will be a day or two later.
Mr. Messinger was 60 years old and a native of Illinois
but has lived in Phoenix since 1886 and the manner of
his coming to Arizona is rather an interesting incident.
When a young man he moved from Illinois to Burlington
Iowa where he attended school with I.M. Christy, present
treasurer of Arizona and the late Colonel William
Christy. Immediately after the war, Colonel Christy
and Mr. Messinger bought the Bryant and Stratton Business
College in Burlington and conducted it for several years.
Finally they sold out, Col. Christy going into the banking
business at Osceola and Mr. Messinger returning to
Illinois. Later the Christy family came to Arizona
and for many years was not heard of by Mr. Messinger.
In 1886, while residing in Galesburg, Illinois he read
an article on the Salt River Valley in the Orange Judd
Farmer signed by William Christy and at once wrote to
Mr. Christy and subsequently removed to Arizona.
Mr. Messinger is survived by a wife and four sons, all well
known here, though the youngest only now resides in
Phoenix. The oldest son is A.F. Messinger who resides
with his family in Los Angeles. The second is V.E.
Messinger, a merchant of Glendale, and the third is
John Messinger who is in the employ of a San Francisco
music house. The youngest, Charles who is still in his
teens, was left in charge of the family home here when
his parents went to the coast.
CONRAD MEYERS
Arizona Republican Newspaper
September 21, 1904
After a battle with death for two years, in which all the
odds were against him, Conrad Meyers died yesterday morning
at his home south of Tempe. For several years he has been
suffering with cancer of the lower lip. Just one month ago
he was taken to Los Angeles by Dr. Charles H. Jones for
consultation with several prominent physicians there.
They, however, offered but one hope and that lay in an
operation. When the cancer first made its appearance Mr.
Meyers decided that he would never submit to an operation,
rather than do that, he was ready to take the alternative
which he knew to be death.
Realizing that the end was near he made all arrangements
for its approach by deeding all the property to his wife
so that after his death there would be no trouble over
the estate. The funeral will be held from the home this
afternoon at 2 o'clock and the interment will be made in
the Double Butte Cemetery.
ALBERT MILLER
Arizona Republican Newspaper
October 18, 1904
Albert, the eight year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Miller
died at the family residence six miles northwest of Phoenix
about 8 o'clock last evening. He was taken sick about two
months ago in California while the family was spending the
summer there and was immediately brought home where he
could have the best of nursing and attention. It was a
case of typhoid fever and the disease had taken a firm
hold upon him so it could not be broken up and it
resulted in a battle dependent almost entirely upon the
boy's ability to last till the fever had run its course.
He had wonderful vitality but other complications
followed which he could not withstand. The funeral
will be held Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the
undertaking parlors of Easterling and Whitney and
will be attended unofficially by the members of the
O.O. F. and B.P.O.E. societies of which Mr. Miller
is a very prominent member.
Funeral of Albert Miller
October 21, 1904
The funeral of Albert, the eight year old son of Mr. and
Mrs. Jacob Miller, was held yesterday afternoon at 2
o'clock at the undertaking parlors of Easterling and
Whitney. There was a large attendance of the friends
of the family, both residents of the city and neighbors
and friends who reside in the country. The service was
conducted by Rev. A.M. Gibbons of the First M.E. Church.
The casket was borne by Messrs. Myer Bunsick, Daniel
McDermott, J. Thalheimer and Fred Tribolet. Interment
was made in the Odd Fellows Cemetery.
Lucille Millett
December 9, 1904
Arizona Republican Newspaper
Little Lucille Millett, the four year old daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. Alma Millett died yesterday morning at 7
o'clock from the result of burns received some time
ago. A week ago last Saturday the girl and a playmate
were playing near a tub of hot water. In some manner
Lucille fell in the scalding water, badly burning herself
about the shoulders and arms. She grew worse continually
and a few days ago all hope of her recovery was given up.
MRS. S.B. MILLS
Arizona Republican Newspaper
January 10, 1904
Mrs. S.B. Mills died yesterday afternoon at 5:15 o'clock at
the home of Professor and Mrs. E.M. Lamson, on Central
Avenue opposite the Osborn school house. The family and
its connections is indeed passing through the valley of
the shadow for in the house of mourning also lies critically
ill, Mrs. Jane M. Lamson, mother of Mr. Lamson.
Mrs. Mills was 78 years of age and a most estimable woman.
She has suffered for a long time with a kidney affection and
about two weeks ago was taken seriously ill, the acute attack
developing into edema of the lungs. She has had constant
care and good medical attention but her advanced age made
her recovery doubtful from the first appearance of the
serious symptoms. By reason of the illness of Mrs. Lamson
in the same house, the funeral will necessarily be private
and will be held this afternoon between 1 and 2 o'clock.
Mrs. Mills came here about November 1st with her husband
S.B. Mills and accompanied by her son, E.J. Mills and his
family. They came intending to spend the winter visiting
with relatives who aside from Mr. Lamson and family,
include Mrs. Susan Mills and her daughters Flora and Calla,
Mrs. Susan Mills being a daughter in law of the elderly
couple whose home is in South Dakota where the family has
resided for many hears having gone there from Canada.
A peculiar incident in connection with the circumstance
of the death of Mrs. Mills is that the death of every
member of the Mills family for a generation past, no
matter how widely separated their respective homes might
have been, it has occurred at a time and place when it
fell to Mr. Lamson's lot to make the funeral arrangements.
Respecting the illness of his mother, Mrs. Lamson, it is
learned that she is suffering from liver and stomach
trouble of long standing. For the last two or three
weeks she has been confined to her bed and her condition
is regarded as most grave, though she was slightly better
last evening. She is also troubled somewhat with a weak
heart and there was fear that the shock that must necessarily
follow her being informed of the death of Mrs. Mills might
result disastrously, so the news was withheld for a few
hours. She is also well advanced in years having passed
her 78th anniversary. She came here in 1900 with her
husband who died in June of that year.
