Death came to Joe Carlew, an old man at the Star Lodging House
yesterday morning. The old man had been a resident of the
valley for a great many years. His only occupation was that
of farm laborer. He had lately come in from the country where
he had been working and he went to the Star. He was given a
room there with two beds.
His roommate said that he was awakened by Carlew about five
o'clock yesterday morning. The old man told him that he was
sick and wanted a drink of water. The man got it for him and
lay down again and went to sleep. He next woke at seven
o'clock and as soon as he arose he looked at a dead man in
the other bed.
An inquest was held by Coroner Johnstone. The jury found that
death has resulted from natural causes, or rather, that no one
but himself had been responsible for his death.
Nothing could be learned of Carlew's relations nor could it be
learned what part of the country he had come from.
JAMES CARROLL
March 25, 1909
A telegram was received here yesterday by M.E. Churry from Los
Angeles announcing the death of James Carroll. No particulars
were given and the cause of his death is not known. It is
suspected, however, that it was sudden and unexpected, for
his son, James, who has been here for a few days knew nothing
of his ill health. Mr. Carroll could not be located yesterday
but it is thought he was in Phoenix and word was sent him there.
He probably took last evening's train for Los Angeles.
The deceased was 59 years of age and for many years was a
resident of Tempe. He was an old timer here and was one of
the first settlers under the Tempe Canal. Few men were better
known in Tempe that Jim Carroll and there was no one who had a
bigger heart and was more willing to help a fellow men in
distress. Some two years ago, with Mrs. Carroll, he moved to
Los Angeles but he has many friends in the valley who will be
grieved to learn of his death.
CASTENADA child
July 5, 1909
Watching the death struggle of her little daughter, Mrs. Ynez
Castanda of Globe saw her little daughter drown in a well during
the afternoon Friday. The child had been laying about in the
yard during the afternoon and it is supposed that the little
girl climbed upon the boxing around the well and losing her
balance, fell in. Her four year old sister ran screaming into
the house to her mother, who had to watch the little girl
struggle and die before help could arrive.
WILLIS J. CHAPMAN
September 18, 1909
Willis J. Chapman, who was for two years or more a resident of
this valley, was shot and instantly killed last Saturday night
in New York City by B.H. Wilson, an old schoolmate. Willis
Chapman was employed last winter as houseman at the Castle
Hot Springs Hotel and also worked for some time on a ranch
near Mesa City for Leonard Mets. He was quite well known in
the valley and had numerous friends here.
According to advices the homicide was the result of an enmity
that had existed for some years between the two men, having
its origin in a transaction concerning property sometime before
Chapman came west. The circumstances of the killing were
quite unusual for such events.
Chapman left here July 9 of this year for his former home
and shortly after his arrival he was married to a young
society woman named Miss Bessie Williams. The newly married
couple were attending a social gathering at the house of a
friend and it would appear that Wilson was also a guest.
Anyhow, he met Chapman in the hall of his host's home and
drawing a revolver, fired at once with fatal effect. Mrs.
Chapman was close at hand and witnessed the shooting, her
husband falling in her arms as he expired. Wilson was
arrested at once, making no resistance. Moreover, he would
offer no defense or make any explanation at the time,
telling the officers that he would explain everything when
he was placed on trial.
The above information came to Phoenix in a letter from a
sister to Chapman's brother, Walter J. Chapman, who is
now unfortunately in serious trouble of his own, being an
inmate of the county jail, pending an investigation of the
grand jury of a charge made against him for forgery, and
to which, by the way, he pleaded guilty at his preliminary
examination, being held to answer under a bond of $300.
He was arrested in August for writing a check on the Valley
Bank in favor of S.J. Smith, to which he signed the name of
Lish Pool, a contractor. He then cashed the check at the
store of N. Friedman, endorsing the name of S.J. Smith.
At the preliminary hearing before Justice Parker he waived
any defense, saying he was guilty. He is a nice appearing
young man and it is hard to conceive what prompted him to
do such a thing, which he doubtless now sincerely regrets.
CHAPPO
March 7, 1909
A fire in Mesa City last night destroyed a frame building , a
cement warehouse, burning up a Mexican known about town by the
name of Chappo.
The building stood on the west of the new concrete block built
by Dr. Chandler and was vacant except for what cement may have
been left in it.
Chappo was an inebriate, as well known character about town, who
had spent the two preceding nights in jail. He was in the habit
of sleeping wherever he found himself at night, and it is
supposed he went into the building to sleep last night, perhaps
in an intoxicated condition and accidentally set fire to it,
probably lighting a cigarette.
The poor fellow's heart-rending cries were heard but only after
the fire had so far advanced that he could not be reached from
it. When the fire was finally extinguished his body was found
and identified.
ESTHER CHASE
June 12, 1909
A deplorable accident occurred in Tempe yesterday morning
which may result fatally for the unfortunate victim. Little
Esther Chase, the youngest daughter of Mrs. Chase of the Olive,
was run over by a wagon and at the hour of writing her recovery
is regarded as extremely doubtful.
The little girl was playing on the street in front of the hotel
and though there were no eye witnesses to the accident when it
actually happened, a little boy saw Esther a moment before. She
was at that time hanging on the brake of a wagonload of baled
hay, riding down the street. From the boy's story, it is
thought that she attempted to get off just in front of the
hotel and fell. At that moment a lighter rig passed the hay
wagon and the little girl was run over by one of the wheels
of the lighter conveyance. It could hardly be possible that
the wheels of the hay wagon passed over her, for such a
weight would have meant instant death to one so small. The
wheel passed over her back injuring her spine and crushing
her chest to an extent that caused a hemorrhage of the
lungs. She was carried to the house in a partially unconscious
condition and different physicians of Tempe did all in their
power to relieve her suffering. AT this time the results of
the accident cannot be foretold but that they will be most
serious if not fatal is the opinion of the physicians.
CLANTON BABY
June 22, 1909
The baby of Charles W. Clanton and wife, died recently and
was taken to Buckeye, where it was buried last Saturday
afternoon.
MRS. T.N. CLANTON
June 5, 1909
Mrs. T.N. Clanton died about 5 o'clock yesterday afternoon at
the family home in Buckeye of acute Bright's disease and heart
complications. She had not been in good health for a couple of
years but had only been confined to her bed for a couple of
weeks.
On Thursday it became apparent that her illness would result
fatally and her children were all notified, those living a
long distance away leaving at once for Phoenix, all being
expected to arrive here this morning. The funeral will be
held this afternoon probably about 2 o'clock in Buckeye and
interment will be in Liberty.
During her last hours Mrs. Clanton was closely attended by her
husband, son, A.N. Clanton and daughter Sadie, who live at home
and her married daughters in this valley, Mrs. C.E. Mills of
Phoenix and Mrs. H.E. Kells of Buckeye. Other children are Mrs.
Fred Dysart of Solomonville, Dave Clanton of Long Beach and C.W.
Clanton who lives on a farm east of the Phoenix Indian School.
There are numerous other relatives and a host of personal friends
who regret her death but cherish a lively recollection of her
many womanly virtues and her noble character.
Mrs. Clanton was 64 years old and was a pioneer in Arizona.
She came here from Iowa with her husband thirty one years ago.
The first fifteen years of their life here was spent in this
valley near Phoenix and in Yavapai County, Crown King having
been their home for a time. Mr. and Mrs. Clanton were among
the first to settle in the Buckeye Valley and that has been
their home most of the time since then.
