MRS. JOHN A. WRIGHT
Arizona Republican Newspaper
March 7, 1904
The older residents of Phoenix will be sorry to learn of
the bereavement of Mrs. John A. Wright who lived in Phoenix
in the early days and who is a brother of Mrs. A.P. Walbridge
of this city. For some years they have been living in Rancho
Viejo, Mexico, their post office being Iturbide, Mexico. Of
his bereavement the San Antonio Express says, "Mrs. Lucy
Eleanor Handy Wright, wife of John A. Wright, died in the
Physicians and Surgeons Hospital here Thursday morning,
February 25th after a lingering illness. She was brought
to San Antonio from Mexico about six weeks ago with a hope
that a change of altitude and medical treatment might prove
beneficial. Beside her husband she leaves two little
daughters, one an infant six weeks old, also two sisters,
Mrs. T.D. Anderson of this city and Mrs. Lester Jamison
of Mexico. Mrs. Wright spent her girlhood days in San
Antonio and Eagle Pass Texas where she was well known
and popular with a large circle of friends. She was
buried in San Antonio beside her father, Dr. James H.
Handy of Indiana, who was a surgeon in the United States
Army during the Civil War. Mr. Wright has for years been
associated with a number of capitalists who acquired a
grant of timberland in Mexico, built a railroad to it
and are conducting a number of mercantile establishments
in connection. Mr. Wright has charge of the railroad
and stores as manager.
H.B. DUPONT
August 12, 1902
Word has been received by Judge Baker of the death of
Henry Belin DuPont, which occurred at Santa Barbara,
Cal., about three weeks ago. The information comes
from the father-in-law of Mr. Dupont, Judge Bradford
of Wilmington, Del., Mr. Dupont was a member of the
greatest firm of powder manufacturers in the U.S.
He came here for his health about five years ago
and purchased the Pemberton place, north of the city.
He spent a part of every year here. He was here the
greater part of last winter and remained until June
when he went to California.
Miss Elege
June 15, 1902
Arizona Republican Newspaper
A little girl of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Elege of Duncan,
shot herself accidentally with a breechloading shot gun
that was left in the house. The parents were out in the
field and hearing the shot the father and mother
rushed to the house. The child was breathing its
last. About four years ago, they had a boy who
burned to death. Mr. and Mrs. Elege have the
sympathy of the community. Clifton Copper Era.
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Ellers
October 30, 1902
Arizona Republican Newspaper
Word has come that Henry Ellers killed his wife and then
committed suicide at Imperial, in Southern California.
Ellers will be remembered as the wayward son of estimable
parents who lived in this valley for years, the young man
having served a two year term in the penitentiary at Yuma
for burglary. He was arrested in June 1898 and sentenced in
November of that same year. Of the tragic incident that
ended his career the last issue of the Imperial Press says:
"Yesterday morning about 11 o'clock word came to town that
Henry Ellers had shot and killed his wife and then committed
suicide. A party immediately went to the scene of the
tragedy which occurred at the home of L.L. Forester, the
father of the murdered girl. Justice of the Peace, W.B.
Mugford, acting in the absence of the coroner, impaneled a
jury with G.W. Nicholl as foreman and held an inquest
yesterday afternoon.
"D.M. Nicholl testified that he was hauling lumber near
there and saw Ellers fire two shots through the doorway
at his wife. He then turned and began firing at W.L.
Brown, who was working on a weir near the place. Brown
started to run and finally dropped in some weeds after
several shots had been fired at him. Ellers thinking he
had killed Brown returned to the house, but soon came
out and putting the butt of the rifle on the ground,
leaned over the muzzle and pulled the trigger. Nicholl
picked up brown and they came to town to notify the
officials. W.L. Brown testified to practically the
same story except he did not see Ellers shoot himself.
Dr. F.P. Blake made an examination of the bodies and
testified that Ellers had shot himself through the heart
and that his wife had been shot through the right lung.
Her wrist was also shattered and the veins and arteries
severed and she evidently bled to death.
Just what the trouble was about no one seems to know but the
dead girl's father told the jury that she had left Ellers
because she was afraid of him on account of his temper and
the younger sister said that Ellers had threatened to take
strychnine on Thursday and they, Ellers and his wife, had
had quite a quarrel the same day and Ellers had searched
for a gun. Yesterday forenoon Ellers was in town trying
to secure a gun and said he was going to kill his wife,
but no one took him in earnest. It was evidently a case
of premeditated murder and suicide.
THOMAS ELVEY
August 15, 1902
News of the sudden death of Thomas K. Elvey of the
firm of Elvey and Hulett, druggists, was received here
yesterday by E.G. Hulitt and by the Leviathan Mining
Company of which Mr. Elvey was treasurer. The news was
contained in dispatches from a person named Henry Page
from Las Vegas and stated that Mr. Elvey had died of
apoplexy on a ranch there and asked for information
regarding the disposition of the remains.
The news shocked the entire community for that Mr.
Elvey was in any way ailing was unknown by anyone.
Mr. Hulett was stunned by the news and for some time
was of the opinion that there must be a mistake but
finally accepted the information as correct.
Mr. Elvey must have been stricken on the train near
Las Vegas and was removed to the ranch mentioned in
the dispatch and died there. He was a good subject
for apoplexy being very stout. He also suffered at
times a great deal with an old wound received during
the Civil War near the corner of the left eye.
He was born near Chicago and was about fifty eight.
He was raised in Chicago and was in business there for
some years after reaching manhood. He came to this
valley thirteen years ago and bought a ranch in the
valley near the city . He went into the drug business
in this city three years ago associated with E.G.
Hulett. Deceased leaves a wife and six children,
John , Henry, Frank, Wilburt, Josie and a married
daughter, Mrs. Dolson, who lives on a ranch near
Phoenix with her husband. Henry is at present at
Bisbee where he is in the employ of George Buxton
and Frank is in a mercantile store at Douglas, this
territory.
Major Joseph W. Evans
May 29, 1902
Arizona Republican Newspaper
Major Joseph W. Evans died last night at 7:45 o'clock at
his residence on East Monroe Street of apoplexy. The news
of his death will be a shock to the community as it was to
his family and immediate friends who had no suspicion till
yesterday of such a sudden termination of a life that for
many years has been of such usefulness to this community.
Though in apparent good health, he had not been feeling
well for two or three weeks, but was able to be at his
office every day until yesterday. His family physician,
Dr. Swetnam saw him at his office Tuesday afternoon and
in reply to a question he said he was feeling better than
for several days. He retired early Tuesday night having
experienced a slight change for the worse and nothing
further was known until five o'clock yesterday morning
when he was found in his bed, unconscious. Dr. Swetnam
was summoned immediately and arriving at the house he
at once sent for Dr. Dodsworth. From then on till the
hour of death one or the other of the Physicians was at
his bedside constantly. During the day he seemed once
or twice to regain consciousness sufficient to recognize
those about him but not to speak.
Major Evans was 51 years old and a native of North
Carolina. He came to Arizona over a quarter of a
century ago and during his life here has ever been a
well known citizen. He first came into prominence
with the public generally as superintendent of the
stage company and Wells, Fargo and Company's express
business at Prescott, long before either that city or
Phoenix had a railroad.
Though his business had already made him familiar with
the various parts of the territory and a frequent
visitor to Phoenix it was not until the early 80's
that he made this his home. In 1885 when Phoenix
first experienced wheat was then called a boom, Mr.
Evans embarked in the real estate business. He was
among the most successful operators in realty and
continued in the same business till the day of his
death. In latter years he added loans and
investments to his business and through him have
been consummated some of the largest investments
in the valley. During the early growing days of
Phoenix and at the time when most real estate
transactions were largely related in some manner
to the operation of the various canals, Mr. Evans
became largely interested in the Salt River Valley,
Grand and Maricopa Canals and was at one time
president of the Arizona Improvement Company.
After all these interests were consolidated under
the management of the Arizona Water Company, Mr.
Evans severed his connection in an official capacity,
save that he remained a director.
He was one of the most progressive business men of the
territory, always ready to help in any enterprise.
Of his immediate family here he leaves a wife and stepson.
No funeral arrangements have been made.
