BUSTER FORMAN
Arizona Republican Newspaper
October 1907
A sad accident occurred this afternoon by which Buster, the
four year old son of Arthur M. Forman was drowned in the
Gila River opposite this place. The recent rains have caused
the river to rise and the only way of crossing during these
times is by a cage swung from a cable attached to posts.
About four o'clock this afternoon Mr. Forman, with his wife
and three children and James Schumaker, attempting to cross
the river in the cage. When about half way across one of
the posts broke in two and let the cage down throwing the
occupants into the water. The current was running very
rapidly and little Buster was washed down the river.
Mrs. Forman had the youngest child in her arms and as the
cage went down Mr. Forman grabbed her, and by a heroic
effort caught hold of the cage. Mr. Schumaker in the
meantime managed to reach the cage with the other child.
By this time large numbers of people had gathered on
either shore watching the unfortunate people who were
in danger of being swept from the cable at any moment.
Rescue parties were formed and soon brave men worked their
way out to the sunken cage and brought the people safely
to shore, where they were supplied with dry clothing.
Mr. George
June 4, 1902
Arizona Republican Newspaper
Sheriff J.A. Johnson returned Tuesday from Cataract Canyon
where he had gone to investigate the reported killing of
an Indian boy of the Supal tribe. The tragedy occurred on
May 21 and it was reported that the youth had been
assassinated but such was not the case.
The son of Indian George, with a companion had been
ordered by the teacher in charge of the school at Supal
to go to the Truxton Indian school. To this the boy
objected but on the insistence of the teacher the boys
started. On reaching the Hilltop house the son of Indian
George fell behind. The other boy heard a shot and
returned to find his companion dying.
The boy had laid down on his back and placed his
Winchester in such a position as to bring the muzzle
of the gun under his chin and pulled the trigger, the
ball going through his head.
The cause of the suicide was that the boy, who was but
16 years old did not want to go to the Truxton school
and preferred death to leaving his horse and friends.
The Supal Indians are satisfied with the Supal school
and are willing to send their children to their home
school, but they do not want them sent away to other
schools, which the government compels them to do.
The Supals are considerably wrought up over the
affair and now object to compulsory education of
their children more than ever.
B.J. George
February 12, 1902
Arizona Republican Newspaper
At about 10 o'clock Monday evening, Mr. B.J. George one
of Tempe's oldest and most respected citizens, breathed
his last. About three weeks ago, says the Tempe News,
Mr. George was taken down with pneumonia which was
followed by other complications, resulting in death
in spite of the most attentive care.
The deceased was born in Kentucky and was in the 75th
year of his age. He came to this valley with his
family and settled near Tempe about eighteen years
ago and is known to all as a man of the highest
integrity and honor and as such he had the respect
and esteem of all acquaintances and by whom his death
will be sincerely regretted. He leaves beside a loving
wife to mourn his loss, a son, B.J. George Jr and two
daughters, Mrs. Carpenter of Natchez, Miss. who with
her two children has been here for several months
and Mrs. Leroy F. Hill of this city. Rev. Carpenter
reached here this morning.
The funeral took place from the family residence where
the services were held at 4 o'clock Tuesday afternoon ,
the body being followed to the grave by a large
concourse of sympathizing relatives and friends.
W.G. Getz
April 11, 1902
Arizona Republican Newspaper
Mrs. William G. Getz received a telegram from
Memphis, Tenn., yesterday announcing the death
of her husband which occurred there at 3 o'clock
yesterday morning. He died of consumption of which
he was a sufferer for over eleven yeras. He was
well known in Phoenix, having lived here the greater
part of the time for the last ten years, coming here
for the benefit of his health after a years' residence
in Colorado. His physician had then told him that he
had not long to live, but he made the trip overland
and gained twenty pounds during the journey. He
improved greatly during the first years of his
residence here and has often said that while Arizona
did not cure him the climate prolonged his life for
years.
He was first engaged here in the bicycle business and
later in the livery business, being ever a lover of
fine horses. He had invested considerably but ill
health took the greater part of his wealth though
his relatives in Memphis are well to do. He was
raised in Tennessee and has always expressed a desire
to return there previous to his death but his journey
east a few weeks ago was not with any premonition
that it would be his last one.
Ferdinand Gibson
February 22, 1902
Arizona Republican Newspaper
Ferdinand Gison who died in Phoenix February 18 was
a member of the Presbyterian Church of this city.
During his last days he was attended by his wife,
her father and her brother. Mrs. Gibson has taken
her husband's body and gone to their former home,
Amherst Ohio. Today (Saturday) she will reach that
place and will lay his body in the family cemetery.
For the past eighteen years, Mr. Gibson has been a
sufferer and at various times it has seemed impossible
for him to rally from some especially acute attack of
illness. Asthma was the early trouble, but in recent
months his whole system seemed to be affected. He was
taken south for two winters and then came to the west,
hoping for some permanent benefit. His death came in
his fifty fourth year. Though he had been so long time
a sufferer, the end came very quietly.
Quite a number gathered in the parlor of the undertaker
to pay their tribute of respect to his memory and to
express sympathy with Mrs. Gibson and to say good bye
to her as she started on her four day journey. Mr.
M.B. Kiel and his son accompanied Mrs. Gibson as far
as Ash Fork, where they took the westbound train for
Los Angeles which has recently become their home. In
spite of the sadness that comes with every goodbye
this family has the confident hope of a glad reunion
and thus joy of anticipation mingles with their sorrow.
Mrs. Gibson and her father and brother, M.B. and J.R.
Kiel wish to express to the people of Phoenix their
great appreciation of the many kindnesses received here.
During the months of their life in this city Mr. and
Mrs. Gibson have found comfort and cheer in the
presence of helpful neighbors.
Johnny Gideon
March 1, 1902
Arizona Republican Newspaper
Kingman -- About 10 o'clock Sunday night Johnny Gideon,
a young man between 19 and 20 years of age, repaired
to his home on Beale Street, unlocked the door of his
room and went to bed. His father, Joe Gideon,
sleeping in an adjoining room, heard his son enter
the house and noted the hour of his arrival.
Between 1 and 2 o'clock he was awakened by the
noise of fire crackling and arose to investigate.
Entering the kitchen he saw the light blazing
through the window of his son's room, which was an
addition built out upon the porch. He then ran to
the door of the room, which he found locked. This
he broke down, at the same time calling to his boy
and yelling fire to bring others to his aid. Mr.
Gideon thinks he heard his son answer once, but is
not certain. Finding it impossible to enter the
room, from which the smoke and flames were pouring
in volumes, the distracted man rushed around to the
window, which he broke in, hoping by this means to
create a draft and thus effect an entrance but it
was useless. The building was of lumber and was
destroyed in a very few minutes. A large crowd
was quickly on the scene, but too late to render
any assistance either in saving the victim or
subduing the fire. Fortunately for the surrounding
residence there were scarcely any wind and the
flames were confined to the one building. The
body when taken out was a ghastly sight. The
boy must have realized his awful predicament,
for he had put a pillow around his head and face
to protect them from the burning heat.
The origin of the fire is easily accounted for, says
the Kingman Arrow. Gideon lit a candle in a miner's
candlestick and went to sleep leaving it burning and
hanging on the wall above his bed. When the candle
burned away it fell from the wall, setting fire to
the house. A coroner's jury was empaneled and
rendered a verdict in accordance with the above facts.
