F.J. Netherton was killed at Mesa yesterday afternoon by a fall
from a horse. Death occurred early in the evening. Mr. Netherton
had lately bought an interest in the meat market at Mesa. He was
assisting in driving a lot of cattle from the country to the
market. The cattle turned back at the outskirts of the town and
Mr. Netherton rode rapidly after them. The horse he was riding
was training to drive cattle, so that when a cow turned suddenly
the horse stopped as suddenly or swerved and the rider was thrown
to the ground, striking his forehead. The contact was so violent
that the frontal bone was crushed.
The inured man was insensible for a short time but recovered
consciousness. At first the character of his hurt could not be
determined but persons who left Mesa for Phoenix immediately
after the accident did not believe it would result seriously.
Later a telephone message was received requesting Dr. H.A. Hughes
to come to Mesa at once and another urging the presence of Mr.
Netherton's uncle, William Isaacs, who lives below town. At
5 o'clock another message came inquiring if Mr. Isaacs was yet
on his way. Sheriff Orme sent an inquiry to his residence and
received the reply that Mr. Isaacs had left for Mesa some time
before. Two hours later word came from Mesa that Mr. Netherton
was dead.
He was 32 years of age and unmarried. He was born in Contra
Costa county, California where his father still resides. He came
to Arizona nine years ago and was almost immediately elected
principal of the Mesa schools. He was connected with the Gazette
for a short time in 1891 and later became one of the promoters
of the Mesa Free Press. He held his position in the Mesa schools
until four years ago. Governor Hughes appointed him territorial
Superintendent of Public Instruction. He was an industrious
and efficient official. He held this position until the change
of the territorial administration, something more than a
year ago. After that he was elected principal of the schools
at Yuma, later closing his service there.
He did much for education in the territory, both as a teacher
and an official and he was a useful citizen. He accumulated
considerable property in and about Mesa. It consists of a half
block in the town and a ranch of fifteen acres in the valley.
The property is somewhat involved, not to an extent though,
which could have embarrassed the owner if he had lived.
So far has is known the only living member of his family is
his father, who is almost totally blind and who is said to
have depended upon him for support.
August 13, 1897
In probate Court yesterday letters of administration were granted
on the estate of F.J. Netherton to J.S. Netherton, the father
of the deceased.
MRS. E.J. NICHOLS
July 3, 1897
Mrs. E.J.Nichols passed away at the home of her brother, A.
Goodlender, in Alhambra last Sunday morning. She came to Phoenix
last October, hoping to regain health but the dread disease,
consumption had too firm a hold and the sunshiny climate of
Arizona but prolonged her life for a brief time. During her
short stay she endeared herself to everyone whom she met.
Even in suffering hours she was always glad and hopeful
and as was remarked by a gentleman yesterday, "Where ever
Mrs. Nichols went she took sunshine with her."
JAMES NICHOLS
January 6, 1897
James Nichols, well known in Cochise County and Colorado died
suddenly in Prescott last week of heart disease. He was a miner
by trade and highly esteemed by all who knew him. He was taken
to Prescott from Chaparral on New Year's day to received medical
attendance, as he had been sick for several days. On his way in
he remarked two or three times that he did not think he would
live to reach Prescott. On his arrival there, he took a room
at the Hotel Windsor, and Dr. Davis was called to attend him.
On Saturday he was up all day, retiring about 7 o'clock in the
evening. When his physician called on Sunday morning he went
to the door of his room and rapped and receiving no response
walked in. He greeted his patient by saying: "Come, wake up,
you have slept long enough" and as he did so he gave him a
shake. He was cold and stiff and death must have occurred
several hours previous.
January 8, 1897
The funeral of the late James Nichols of Prescott took place
yesterday at 10:30 o'clock from the undertaking parlors of S.A.
Logan.
THOMAS S. NORTON
January 23, 1897
Thomas S. Norton, a miner aged 28 years, a native of Devonshire,
England died at the Sister's Hospital in Prescott, Wednesday
morning of a complication of diseases. He has been at work on
the Crown King Mine from which place he was brought in four
weeks ago, suffering with typhoid fever and other complications
set in, resulting in his death.
HATTIE LOIS PENGRA
March 26, 1897
Hattie Lois Pengra, daughter of Mrs. Della V. Pengra of Portland,
Oregon died last night at 7 o'clock. Mrs. Pengra and daughter
arrived in Phoenix some two months past seeking health for the
beloved daughter. She has been sinking and for some days past
it was evident she must yield to its fatal work. She was a
highly cultured young lady and the sweetness of her disposition
was evidenced by her friends as her young life slipped away.
The funeral will take place from the residence of J.W. Jeffries,
128 East Adams Street.
JOHN PRATT
September 1, 1897
John Pratt, a druggist at Gila Bend, was butchered in his bed
some time on Monday night. Earl yesterday morning a man passing
a porch in the rear of his drug store saw him lying upon his cot
covered with blood. His head had been beaten with a heavy iron
bar which lay near and two deep gashes were cut in his throat
by a sharp instrument.
Notwithstanding the evident purpose of the assassin to make
sure work, his victim was still alive but senseless. He never
recovered consciousness but died this morning a few minutes
after midnight. A telegram was sent to Tucson after a physician
who left for Gila Bend on a special engine. Another telegram
was sent to the sheriff's office here and Sheriff Orme, who
returned early in the evening from an outing in the country
left last night for the scene of the tragedy.
In the meantime the people at Gila Bend were not idle. The only
officer in that part of the country was Deputy Sheriff H.M.
Davenport and he was absent on the cattle range. But the
citizens turned out and Indian trailers than whom none are more
expert than old Joaquin were set to cutting for a trail. None
could be found and the suspicion entertained at the beginning
settled into a conviction that the murder was a tramp who had
boarded a passing train. Uncertainty regarding the time of
the murder left uncertainty as to the direction the fugitive
had taken. He had no doubt gone upon the first train that
passed. Telegrams were sent along the line in both directions,
but they could be accompanied by no description or a single
word which might lead to a clue. Tramps are always numerous
about Gila Bend.
The feeling among Pratt's neighbors kept growing in intensity
until he died. Unless authorities are on hand to restrain them
the tramp will hardly be given the patient hearing supposed to
be due a presumptive innocent man.
There was no man in the community more highly esteemed than
John Pratt. He was kind and inoffensive and lived for others
rather for himself. He was 54 years old and unmarried. He was a
native of Kansas and had lived at Gila Bend and followed the
drug business there more than ten years. For some time before
coming to Gila Bend he had lived at Los Angeles and elsewhere
in southern California. He was a member of the Methodist
Church and was a pioneer in Good Templary in this territory.
His only living relatives are Rev. A.B. Crouch, a nephew by
marriage, engaged in the Methodist ministry in northern
Arizona and a brother-in-law, U.S. Sherman of Gila Bend and
his two daughters. The funeral of the murdered man will probably
take place today.
September 2, 1897
Northing definite was heard here yesterday morning regarding the
pursuit of the murderer of druggist John Pratt of Gila Bend. A
telegram sent by Sheriff Orme from Maricopa mentioned that a red
headed tramp seen at Texas Hill was suspected. After his arrival
at Gila Bend the sheriff again telegraphed that a half breed
Indian was believed to be the murderer. The telegram did not
state on what the suspicion was based. He said the half breed
spoke English well. He might have fled in this direction and
the sheriff directed the officers here to be on the lookout
for him.
September 11, 1897
Frank Merritt, a young man 20 years old is in the county jail
suspected of the murder of John Pratt, the druggist at Gila Bend,
two weeks ago last Monday night. He was arrested by Officer
Steve Bailey late yesterday afternoon and a warrant charging
him with the murder will be sworn out this morning. What basis
the suspicion rests on is not known here. He was taken up on
a telegram from Gila Bend and he is supposed to be the man
whom Sheriff Orme followed east after the investigation of
the murder.
The young man's father, William H. Merritt, is a highly respected
citizen of Pinal County, living at Shultz, two miles north of
Mammoth. Judge Kibby while he lived at Florence knew both father
and son. Yesterday he received a letter from the elder Merritt
in which he said he had heard that his son was accused of the
murder of Pratt. He wanted further information regarding the
accusation. Upon inquiry Judge Kibbey learned that young Merritt
had been about town for a week and had been seen as late as
Wednesday night. Meeting Officer Bailey the judge asked him
to hunt the young man and send him to his office. while
they were talking Deputy Sheriff George came up. Information
had just been received from Gila Bend directing Merritt's
arrest and the officer was then looking for him. Officer
Bailey, who knew him, soon afterward found him and he was
taken to the sheriff's office.
The young man not visibly frightened and asked why he had been
arrested. It was said that he was charged with killing Merritt.
It is said though that Merrit was at Gila Bend on that night. He
was seen there just before the eastbound tain arrived. Merritt
talked freely in explanation of his movements on the night of
the murder. He says he will be able to prove that he was not at
Gila Bend at the time of the killing.
When he was locked up his hat and shoes were left behind, for if
he is put on trial they will figure in the evidence. On the toe
of the right shoe there is a small spot an eighth of an inch in
diameter which under a magnifying glass looks like blood. On the
inside of the crown of his hat, there is a larger spot.
Merritt manifested no weaknesses when he was turned into
the jail. He quietly received the welcome of the other
prisoners who wanted to know why he was hatless, shoeless
and coatless.
Merritt does not seem like a murderer. He is youthful looking
for his age. His countenance is honest and his reputation is said
to be good.. It is suspected that Merritt and the red headed
hobo seen at Texas Hill on the night after the murder are the
same. Merritt is not red headed.
September 12, 1897
The inquest concerning the murder of John Pratt resumed today
with Fred Merritt accused of complicity in the murder. His
removal from the county jail on Thursday night was accomplished
with so much promptness and quietude that his attorney G.P.
Bullard was not away that he had been taken away until Deputy
Sheriff Slankard was on the road to Gila Bend with him.
One bit of evidence against Merritt is that he was seen grinding a
knife the afternoon before the killing of Pratt. The knife,
however, found near Pratt's body and with which his throat had
been cut did not appear to have been lately ground.
