Ex-sheriff Edward Beeler of Apache County was assassinated
near Canega on the line between Apache County and New Mexico
last Friday. The victim lived for some hours and told the
story of the shooting. He did not see his assailants, who
were ambushed behind a stone fence. They fired twelve
shots. During his term of office, Mr. Beeler was a
relentless pursuer of outlaws who may have taken this
means of revenge. A few months ago in a personal quarrel,
he killed a well known character named Monte Slaughter
who had many friends.
JUDGE W.H. BENSON
April 26, 1901
Judge W.H. Benson, one of the earliest settlers of
Arizona territory, died at the California hospital
on April 20 at 10 o'clock in the morning.
The news of the death of Judge Benson will be received
with deep regret by his many friends at Florence where
he has enjoyed for many years the first place in their
respect and confidence, says the Los Angles Herald.
From 1880 to 1885 he was Justice of the Peace at Pinal
City at that time having over two thousand inhabitants.
The old Silver King Mine was operated there at that
time. After the mine closed down, the city absolutely
disappeared and Judge Benson moved to Florence, the
county seat of Pinal County. He remained there, holding
many offices. He leaves a wife and three children to
mourn his death.
RAMON BERNAL
July 16, 1901
A man by the name of Ramon Bernal died suddenly about
half past six yesterday morning at Sixth and Madison
Streets. On account of the circumstances of his death,
Justice Burnett was notified and a coroner's inquest was
held. It was brought out that Bernal had for a long time
been suffering from Bright's disease and lately he called
in a Chinese physician. The jury, putting both of these
circumstances together, returned a verdict of death from
natural causes. Bernal was forty four years of age and
a native of Chihuahua. He had lived in Phoenix for
several years and had been working at mining in the
Weaver district.
HARRY BERNARD
July 19, 1901
Harry Bernard, deputy constable and deputy city marshal
of Tempe died at his room in East Tempe at 5:15 o'clock
yesterday morning. A coroner's jury was summoned and
returned a verdict that the deceased came to his death
from sunstroke. Harry Bernard was a familiar figure in
Arizona, having been a resident for a long time. He was
a native of France but was raised in Chicago. At the age
of 19 he married a southern actress who bore him two
children, a boy and a girl. Both children were well
educated and the son is at present in the law office
of John P. Atgeld in Chicago and is said to be a member
of the firm. Mr. Bernard was a descendant of a long time
of French aristocracy and was highly educated. He owned
considerable property in Chicago and at one time had an
income of $700 per month, from houses owned by him. In
the Chicago fire of 1871 he lost nearly everything,
including a large collection of heirlooms and relics
of the Crusades in which his forefathers have taken
active parts. After the fire he sold his Chicago
interests for $16,500 and came west to New Mexico on
a land deal. He made nothing out of it. He became
interested in mining and ran a hotel in Santa Fe. He
also held government offices there. Finally he came
to Arizona. He held a position as deputy clerk of
the district court under C.H. Knapp and afterward
was elected Justice of the Peace in Phoenix. He
was the justice when Samson was brought to Phoenix
for trial for the murder of Barney Martin and family.
After several years residence in Phoenix he came to Tempe
where he ran a general merchandise store in a building
built by himself, in East Tempe, which is now occupied
by a Chinaman in the same business. After a time he
also ran a saloon known as the Pioneer for several years.
Mr. Bernard has at different times in his life written a
number of literary productions.
T.P. BILLINGS
November 11 ,1901
Mr. T.P. Billings died last evening at 7:30 o'clock at his
rooms on North First Avenue. He came here about five weeks
ago from Missouri in very poor health. He was born in
Missouri, August 31, 1877 and was a member of the Baptist
Church at Sparta, Mo. He leaves a wife and a 2 year old
girl, who were with him in his last hours. The funeral
will be held this afternoon at 4 o'clock at the parlors
of Mohn and Easterling.
W.H. BONHAM
December 9 ,1901
W.H. Bonham, agent of the Mutual Life Insurance Company,
died last night in his rooms in the Nicholson Building of
pneumonia after an illness of a little more than a week.
On the morning of Thanksgiving he returned from Prescott
where he had contracted a severe cold. That night he took
to his bed and the next day his condition was so serious
that a doctor was sent for. He showed signs of gradual
improvement until Friday night when there began to be a
failure of heart action and he gradually grew worse
until noon yesterday, when it became evident that he
could not live long. An attorney was sent for to prepare
his papers. He died late in the evening. No arrangements
have been made about his funeral but the Elks, of which he
was a member, will no doubt take charge of the remains.
Mr. Bonham was about 45 years of age and had resided in
Phoenix two years. He first came here as a representative
of the Columbia Building and Loan Association of Denver
and after that settled in Tucson.
FRANK BOWMAN
ALEX DUDER
December 18, 1901
Shortly after 6 o'clock Friday night a fatal accident in
which Frank Bowman and Alex Duder lost their lives. The
Bisbee West Mine Company had been hoisting water all day,
from their lower levels, says the Review, and the rope and
guide had become wet and the cold weather froze the cross-
head and when Bowman and Duder had descended in the bucket
about 500 feet the frozen cross-head broke and gave way,
dropping the bucket and its two occupants over 600 feet
below. The engineer quickly gave the alarm and
Superintendent Dwight went down and brought up the two
mangled forms of Bowman and Duder. A messenger was
dispatched to Bisbee and notified Judge M.J. Brown, who
summoned a coroner's jury and left for the scene of the
accident.
In speaking of the accident last night, Superintendent S.W.
Clawson of the Copper queen Company said, "It was a terrible
accident but such accidents are not uncommon where a bucket
hoist is used, and it was but a short time ago that just
such a thing occurred up in Colorado and six miners lost
their lives."
Frank Bowman is a young man about 16 years of age and has
two brothers in Bisbee. Alex Duder is well known in the
Copper Queen Mine where he was employed for nearly a year
prior to going over to the Bisbee West.
HARRY BRADSHAW
November 11 ,1901
Harry Bradshaw died about 11 o'clock yesterday forenoon at
his home on the Black Canyon Road. He was a native of
England and was born in Birmingham the same day that Queen
Victoria was born, eighty three years ago, an event he often
referred to and an incident he esteemed quite an honor. But
Harry was a thorough American and came to this country a
great many years ago. He was a soldier in the Union Army
during the Civil War and was later stationed at Fort
McDowell with the regular troops.
"Uncle Harry" as he was familiarly called by those who knew
him, has been a resident of Maricopa for thirty years so he
is entitled to the appellation of "old timer". He was a
little odd in his ways, owing, no doubt to the fact that he
has no living relatives, so far as known and that he lived
alone in his little ranch house. Though eccentric he has
ever been a good citizen and one who bore the respect of
his neighbors. His end came very suddenly though he has
been ailing for two or three weeks. Yesterday morning he
was able to be up and around the house, but before noon
the messenger of death had summoned him to the final roll call.
The funeral will be announced later and interment will be
made in the G.A.R. cemetery.
ANNIE BRANSCOMBE
July 11 ,1901
Mrs. Annie Branscombe died yesterday about noon at her
residence on North Tenth Avenue of consumption after an
illness of many years. No funeral arrangements will be
made until the arrival of her husband, J.M. Branscombe,
who is expected on this morning's train from San Diego.
Mr .and Mrs. Bransocmbe came here about four years ago
from San Diego and some time ago Mr. Branscombe returned
to look after property interests. Mrs. Branscombe was a
most excellent woman and was greatly beloved by those
who knew her.
Funeral, July 12, 1901
Mr. J.M. Branscombe arrived here yesterday morning,
summoned by the death of Mrs. Branscombe as announced
in yesterday's issue. The funeral will be held this
morning at 9 o'clock at the undertaking parlors of A.
J. Bradley.
