From Doctor C.A. Wilson, who arrived in Hermosillo last week
from a visit out into the Yaqui River region, there were
gathered the details of the recent drowning in the Yaqui
River of Robert Stewart Brooks, the well known mining engineer,
says the Nogales Oasis. Mr. Brooks met his tragic fate at or
near Rebeco, above Soyopa. The river was very high and the
stream had become a raging torrent. For some reason there was
no ferry and Mr. Brooks attempted to swim his horse across the
flood. Efforts to dissuade him were made by several but they
were unsuccessful. His men even went so far as to lasso his
horse to prevent him riding into the stream. Mr. Brooks drew
his pistol, leveled it at his men and made them release the
lariat. Then he rode into the stream.
In midstream the rider seemed to lose control of the horse and
the animal rolled in the water, sinking out of sight at the
same time. When the mount emerged from the water she was
riderless, and she swam ashore without difficulty but Mr.
Brooks was never seen again.
MRS. ANN BROWN
Feb. 25, 1909
Late on Tuesday evening Mrs. Ann brown passed away very
suddenly at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Ellis Barker, where
she had lived for a number of years.
Death was rather unexpected, as she had been in her usual good
health until the day previous when she was attacked with severe
pain in the chest and a physician was summoned to attend her.
The pain soon passed away and she seemed as bright and cheerful
as usual until late Tuesday evening when she began having
sinking spells which followed each other until she died shortly
before midnight. She was almost ninety years old and has
resided here about seventeen years.
Mrs. Brown was a lovable woman, and a devout Christian worker
in the Church of Latter Day Saints. She leaves a married
daughter, Mrs. Green of Utah who arrived in Mesa a short time
since on a visit to her mother and other relatives. She is
also survived by one son whose residence is at Buckeye.
The funeral services took place yesterday afternoon from the
home of Bishop Hunsaker at 10 and the remains were laid to
rest in the Mesa Cemetery.
MYRTLE BROWN
February 4, 1909
The funeral of Myrtle Brown who was drowned a few days ago in
the Salt River will be held this morning at 10:30 o'clock in
the parlors of Moore and McLellan. No information has been
secured concerning the relatives or friends of the dead woman.
BUCKLY infant
June 27, 1909
The eight months old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Buckly, named
Dorothy, died Friday night and was buried yesterday in Mesa
Cemetery. The parents of the deceased came here only a few
months ago from Ohio and later purchased the Joseph Standage
place west of town.
WILLIAM F. BURGETT
February 4, 1909
Prescott: While switching cars at Jerome Junction tonight about
7:45 o'clock, William F. Burgett, a brakeman on the S.F.P.P.R.,
23 years of age, one of the best known young men in this city,
was caught between a moving train and cars standing on the
United Verde and Pacific narrow gauge, and was thrown beneath
the rolling wheels. Both legs were ground to shreds. He died
while being brought into Prescott. An inquest will be held
tomorrow.
Burgett, who was better known as "Dutch" Burgett, has been
employed on the S.F.P & P for several years. Dutch was well
known in Phoenix and well liked by all who knew him. He was
best known in baseball circles both he and his brother having
played with the crack Prescott teams in recent years, Dutch
being a skillful pitcher and good any place in the game. He
was one of the strong men of the old Diamond Jo team which
played a memorable series with a late Phoenix aggregation.
He was not married and it was stated last night that his father
is now in Oklahoma.
FRANK BUTTS
December 19, 1909
Yuma--Deputy Sheriff Frank Wheeler, a former Arizona Ranger
shot and probably fatally wounded Frank Butts who recently
came from Phoenix. Wheeler is under arrest without bail. A
piano rent account was the indirect cause of the shooting.
A week ago Wheeler said he had a fight with Butts' brother-in-law
and Butts whipped Wheeler.
The officer today pleaded guilty to assault and was to be
sentenced on Monday. Two hours before the shooting Wheeler
resigned as deputy sheriff and when they later met in Butts'
Saloon blows were interchanged. Wheeler it is said, drew a
gun and fired. The bullet entered near Butts' heart.
December 20, 1909
The relatives of Frank Butts, who was probably fatally shot
at Yuma on Saturday night by Frank Wheeler, a former Arizona
Ranger, yesterday morning received a telegram telling them of
the shooting and conveying the information that he certainly
would not live.
Butts is one of several brothers who are now living here at
Scottsdale and elsewhere about the valley. He is a man of
strong physique and had engaged in several fights in which
he usually came out victorious. He was in Phoenix last about
two weeks ago.
Of the man who shot him little is known here. He was heard of
a good deal in the legislature three years ago when the first
attempt was made to abolish the Arizona Rangers. In the hot
debates that took place he was confronted with Captain
Wheeler of the Rangers but it was brought out that he was
no relation to the captain who, beside, was an entirely
different kind of man.
Among the things charged against Wheeler was that at the
time he was drawing his pay as a ranger he was also holding
down the job of deputy sheriff at Imperial and in that
capacity he had wounded a man. Many incidents of his life
were brought out showing that he was not an ornament to the
rangers though the enemies of that organization held him up
as a type of it.
IRENE CAIN
March 17, 1909
Nabor Pacheco Jr., son of the city marshal, Nabor Pacheco, and
former sheriff of this county, tonight shot and killed Rene
Cain, a woman of the underworld. The killing took place in the
lobby of the Windsor Hotel in Tucson.
Young Pacheco, who is twenty three years of age, has hitherto
borne a good reputation but for a long time he had been insanely
jealous of the woman. She had been out of town for a time and
only recently returned. Pacheco met her on the street this
afternoon and had a conversation with her, the nature of which
is unknown.
The woman intended to leave the city again tonight and about
nine o'clock was at the desk of the hotel office when Pacheco
entered and shot her. She lived about three-quarters of an
hour. It is said that the young man then tried to commit
suicide. He was immediately arrested by the police and taken
to the city jail.
ADELBERT M. CALKINS
October 28, 1909
The many friends of Adelbert M. Calkins, a former mail
carrier of this city, will learn with regret of his death
on Tuesday, October 26 at the home of his parents in
Kalamazoo, Michigan. Bert Calkins was highly esteemed and
liked by all who knew him. He was stricken early in life
with the dread white plague and came to Phoenix for his
health about eight years ago. The greater part of the
time previous to a year ago he was a city carrier. About
that time he resigned his position but remained here until
last May, when he went back to his old home realizing that
the end was drawing near. He is survived by one brother,
Earl C. Calkins, who lives here and by his parents and a
sister in Kalamazoo.
F.M. CAMP
June 26, 1909
Postmaster McClintock has received word of the death of Frederic
Marcellus Camp at his home in New Egypt, N.J., June 19. The
funeral was held June 22 and interment was made in Cream Ridge
Cemetery, New Egypt. The deceased was for many years in the
postal service in the capacity of an inspector and his latest
years were spent in Arizona, to which district his was assigned
by reason of failing health.
He resigned his office about a year ago and went east for the
summer, came back last winter and left early last spring.
