Genealogy Trails
Cochise County, Arizona
Newspaper Obits



Death of Dr. Matthews
Dr. H. M. Matthews, coroner of Cochise county, died yesterday about  10 o'clock, of pneumonia, from which he had been suffering for several days.
Dr.   Matthews  was a native of Virginia,   where   he was   born   in 1825 He came to Arizona about 1872, with the army, as a contract surgeon, and was for some time at Prescott and Mohave afterwards moving to San Carlos. He came to Tombstone with the very earliest settlers, in 1879, and has resided here ever since, having been coroner for two terms. The deceased was a member of Burnside post, G. A. K. A meeting of that post was held last night, when a telegram was  received from the wife of the deceased, who lives at St Louis with two children, that she wished the body sent to that place. An adjourned meeting of the post will be held to-night, to take action in the matter.
Date: 1886-02-06; Paper: Tombstone Epitaph Prospector


Date: 1891-04-28; Paper: Tombstone Epitaph Prospector
The inquest of the body of Dr. Fetterman was held last night at the rooms of Chas Granville Johnston and the verdict was a natural death. No autopsy was held on the body and no evidence being introduced that he died by foul means no other verdict could be reached. Why a coroner's inquest was not held at Benson, where he died puzzles most people, and why an inquest should have been held here without a post mortem examation being made is another peculiar proceeding. Without an autopsy the inquest was a farce.

Date: 1891-08-04; Paper: Tombstone Epitaph Prospector
Died in Benson Aug. 1st the wife of Charles Shepperd.

Date: 1894-09-28; Paper: Tombstone Epitaph Prospector
Tuesday the infant son of Mr. and Mrs. J.F. Beatty of Benson died a short but severe illness and buried the following day.

Date: 1894-02-20; Paper: Tombstone Epitaph Prospector
Ben Glidden a long time resident of Benson died yesterday at that place.

Date: January 09, 1895 Paper: Tombstone Epitaph Prospector
The infant child of Mr. and Mrs. David Crockel died at Benson yesterday. the parents have the sympathy of all in their bereavement.

Date: 1898-11-24; Paper: Weekly Phoenix Herald
Louis Duval, a tombstone pioneer cattleman, died recently in California where he had gone in search of better health.

The Angel of Death visited the home of Neill E. Ferguson yesterday. His infant child died of an attack of tonsillitis.
The attending physician, Dr. Edmundson, was unable to save the child, who was literally strangled by the tonsolitic attack.
The funeral, which occurred this afternoon at 2 o'clock, was largely attended by the friends of the bereaved parents.
Cochise Review, Bisbee Arizona Monday Evening May 21, 1900

Death of Owen Morris. At the Queen Hospital, at 11 o'clock Tuesday January 15. Owen Morris, 47 years of age, a native of Llangefni, Anglesea, Wales, departed this life. He was a miner and had been in Bisbee but a short time. He had lived for many years in Colorado and Utah, but for the last three he lived and mined in Alaska. Acquiring a "stake" there he revisited the scenes of his childhood last year and returned to America about eight months ago. He was stricken with pneumonia about a week before his death but it seemed to his friends to be a mild attack. Tuesday he became worse and sank rapidly until death ensued at 11 o'clock the same night. His funeral was held from the undertaking parlors of Graham & Co. at 10 o'clock Thursday, the 17th. James Torpie, a miner, delivered a short, but impressive sermon and read the service for the dead at the grave side
The Cochise Review Saturday January 19 1901


Date: 1901-09-28; Paper: Tucson Daily Citizen
Death of J. M. Castaneda the Benson Merchant
J.M. Castaneda of Benson died at St. Mary's hospital this forenoon at 11:30. Mr. Castaneda was brought to Tucson last evening and was taken to the St. Mary's hospital last night in a dying condition.
About two weeks ago he was taken with a bad attack of dysentery, but paid no attention to it. The case became serious and his family decided to bring him to the hospital in Tucson. Mrs. Castaneda, her daughter and son M.F. Castaneda were here at the time of his death as was also Henry Castaneda who is a student at the University.
Dr. Boldo attended Mr. Castaneda after his arrival here. The body was taken by the family to Benson on the 2:30 train where interment will be made.
Mr. Castaneda was 65 years of age and has been in the Territory for forty years and at Benson twenty years. He was a proprietor of the Virginia Hotel at Benson and also kept a large store there. He is widely known all over the Territory and his loss will be deeply felt by his many friends.

Date: 1904-08-15; Paper: Prescott Morning Courier
The body of P. Delchanty, a prominent citizen of Benson who died  suddenly at that place three weeks ago was exhumed yesterday
and an autopsy held by Drs. Caven of Bisbee, Johnson of Tombstone, and Apwell of Benson. The autopsy was the result of the sensational talk which had been indulged in at Benson, intimating and in some instances charging that Delebanty's death was due to poison administered by Dr. McCorkle, formerly of Benson. Dr. McCorkle was the attending physician when Delebanty died. A few days later, he filed a will of Delebanty, which bequeathed to McCorkle's daughter $10,000. When the will  was presented for probate, it was refused by Judge Goodbody because of its irregularity.
It is claimed that the will had been tampered with, and of this fact there seems to be little doubt. those who have examined the will say that the "ten" thousand
bequeath to Dr. McCorkle's daughter had been originally written "two" thousand dollars.
The doctors could not determine definitely if poison was present in any of the vital organs, because of the advanced state of decomposition, and recommended that the vital organs be sent for an expert analysis, which was done.
American, Douglas, Aug. 8.

Date: 1905-06-01; Paper: Tucson Daily Citizen
Temple's Injuries Fatal Passed Away at the Hospital
The remains of George E. Temple were taken to Benson this afternoon. Temple died last evening at the hospital as a result of his injuries sustained Tuesday morning at Bowie when he was run down by an engine. His injuries necessitated the amputation of the left leg.  He stood the operation well and seemed on a way to recovery yesterday afternoon.
Early In the evening however, his condition took a tragic as sudden turn, for the worse and at 7:30 o'clock he died.
At his bedside at the hospital were the mother, a. sister and two brothers. H. J. Temple, superintendent of the Cananca railroad and C R. Temple, who recently resigned as agent at Douglas.
Temple was employed as foreman at the coal shutes at Bowie. On the day or his Injuries he had gone to the shutes before, breakfast   He was returning home for his morning meal when he was run down by the engine.
He was 26 years oil. His remains were sent to Benson from which place funeral services will be held.

William Wright, a well known miner, was killed about 9 o'clock last Thursday night beneath half a hundred tons of ore and dirt which caved without warning from the roof of a working in which he was employed on the 800 level of the Spray Mine.
Arizona Silver Belt. (Globe City, Pinal County, Ariz.), February 8, 1906


M. DURKINS FUNERAL WAS LARGELY ATTENDED
Pioneer Miner Laid to Rest In  Evergreen Cemetery Services at Catholic Church,
The mortal remains of Michael Dunkin were laid to rest yesterday afternoon, services being conducted over them by Rev. Father Muerer at St. Patrick's Catholic church. The services were largely attended, many old friends of the departed coming a long way to pay their respects. Among them were a number or old acquaintances from Tombstone and Cananea. Interment was in Evergreen Cemetery.
The sincerest regret was expressed in many places in southern Arizona when news of the death of Mike Durkin was received. He had a big heart and a manly soul. His ideas of life were along the right lines. He combined the rugged honesty of the pioneer mining men of Arizona and their characteristic good fellowship. His friendship was true as steel. As a husband and father he was idolized; as a citizen he was always active for the best interests of the community inwhich he happened to be.
Old friends, and there are many in this part of Arizona who knew him for twenty years and more, recall many instances where Mike Durkln went far out of his way to do a favor, and cite cases where his charitable heart often worked inconvenience to himself. His word was as good as gold dust in hand. When he died a clean soul winged its way into eternity to join one that he cherished in life and had deeply mourned in death.
Among those who attended the funeral from Tombstone were William Tomilson, Mrs. Hollan. Mr. and Mrs. M. Feeney and James Hagen. M. W. McGuire also attended from Cananea.
J. J. Gorman and Harvey Henderson accompanied the remains to this city from Nevada. They want to express their appreciation of the kindnesses and thoughtfulness of old friends of the deceased at Tombstone and this city before and after their arrival here with the body.
The Bisbee Daily Review May 3 1908


Fell Sixty Down Bisbee Mine Shaft Joseph Beir, A Miner, Meets a Horrible Death, Lived Two Hours With A Badly Crushed Skull
BISBEE, April 3. After lingering two hours, Joseph Beir died at the Copper Queen hospital yesterday morning at 10 o'clock, as the result of a fall an incline sixty feet long on the 1000 foot level of the L. S. & P. mine. Death was due to a fractured skull. His people, who live in Calumet, Mich., have been notified of his death and asked as to the disposition of the remains.
The deceased had been in this section for three years and was well known the mining men of the district. He was 23 years of age and until a few days ago had been running the dinky accident occurred while he was assisting in moving machinery.
While prying with a lever his foot slipped and he was precipitated to the foot of the incline. He was carried to the hospital in an ambulance, but died within two hours without regaining consciousness.
Bier's partner, who to this section with him, and who has been in the same loft, only four days ago for Calumet and reached that city on the day of the deceased was a member of Fraternal Brotherhood lodge No. 452
Daily Arizona Silver Belt April 4, 1908

Date: 1912-11-06; Paper: Tucson Daily Citizen
Resident of Benson Dies of Meningitis
Philip L. Wiseman died at St. Mary's Hospital Monday, for several years he has been a clerk of the Mansion House at Benson. He was 23 years old and unmarried. His death was due to meningitis.
His brother, Louis J. Wiseman of Havden, will take charge of the remains and they will be sent to his former home at Baltimore by the Parker Undertaking Company.

Date: 1915-02-15; Paper: Tucson Daily Citizen
W.W. Mangal died at Benson
J.Weybolt of the Parker undertaking establishment, has been in Benson where he went to make arrangements for sending the remains of W.W. Mangal to Dodge City, Kansas for interment, Mangal died Friday in Benson.

Date: 1915-05-10; Paper: Tucson Daily Citizen
Mrs. Grissinger's Funeral Was Held Monday Morning
The funeral of Mrs. Hazel I. Grissinger of Benson, was held this morning from Parker's Chapel to Evergreen Cemetery. The services were conducted by Rev. Henry Van Valkenburgh, pastor of the Methodist Church. Mrs. Grissinger died at Benson. She was 23 years of age and is survived by her husband, Walter H. Grissinger, and three children.

Date: 1920-05-09; Paper: Tucson Daily Citizen
Pioneer Resident of Arizona Dies
Charles F. Moss, a former Tucsonan, a resident of Arizona for the past quarter of a century, died at his  home In  Benson, Thursday. Moss  has been a  resident of Benson
for a number of years, having large interests there, including an Ice plant and business property. In addition to his holdings he gave his attention to the Standard Oil company,  being the local agent.   
Interested in public improvements, he was a great advocate of road construction.
With him at the time of his death were his wife and three children. the funeral services of the well known pioneer was held in Benson Saturday.

Date: 1921-05-01; Paper: Tucson Daily Citizen
Miss Anna Martinez, daughter of Darla Martinez, a cattleman who lives 14 miles west of Benson, died Monday, the 18th after a long illness.
Funeral services were held here for her Tuesday afternoon, Rev. Father Collymore of Sacred Heart Church at Tombstone, conducting the services.

Clifton E. Wharton
The body of Clifton E. Wharton, who died at Hotel Dieu Monday, will be sent to San Simon, Ariz., Saturday morning and interment will be there on Saturday afternoon.
El Paso Herald El Paso, Texas October 18, 1918
(transcribed as written by D. Donlon)

COL. DICKER'S FUNERAL.
Omaha, Neb., Jan. 2.—The funeral of the late John J. Dickey occurred near Benson today. He was one of the oldest and most popular telegraph officials in the country. Fifty Western Union officials, from all over the country, attended the services.
Arizona Journal Miner Jan 2 1903 Page 1 column 3

Mrs. Amenda Morgan
The body of Mrs. Amenda Morgan, who died in a local hospital Tuesday, was sent to Willcox, Ariz., for interment, Wednesday morning.
The Houston Daily Post Mailable Edition Houston, Texas April 26, 1917
(transcribed as written by D. Donlon)

Area Deaths
John Haciner, 74
John G. Haefner, 637 Ninth St., died Monday evening at 8:30 at Cochise County Hospital. He was 74.
Mr. Haefner, a resident. of Douglas for one month, was a retired railroad man, coming to Douglas from Long Beach, Calif. He was a veteran of World War I.
He is survived by his wife, Helen Tippett Haefner, and one sister Mrs. Clora Rust, Long Beach.
Rosary services will be held tonight at 7 at Brown-Page Chapel. The American Legion will furnish the honor guard. Visitation hours will be from 5 to 8 p. m. today.
Brown-Page Mortuary is in charge of local arrangements.


Mrs. Edna Clark, 72
Mrs. Edna Clark, 934 16th St., a resident of Douglas for 41 years died suddenly At Douglas Hospital at 3 a.m. today. She was 72.
Mrs. Clark was stricken in her home early this morning and died shortly after her arrival at the hospital.
She was born in Dayton, Ohio, Jan 14, 1895
She is survived by three sons Frank of the Douglas address Ray, Tucson, and Leonard, Englewood, Calif; three brothers, Raphael Fleming, Springfield, Ohio; Francis, Chicago, and Charlie, Texas.
Also surviving are two sisters Mrs. Hazel Flora, Baltimore, Mr. and Mrs. Florence Leatherman, Springfield.
Funeral services are pending at Brown-Page Mortuary in Douglas.

Con Conroy Dead.
Con Conroy, one of best known old time prospectors of this region died at the Cananeas last Friday from pneumonia.
He was the discoveror of several well known and valuable properties and an experienced prospector. Con was a favorite everywhere, and possessed that characteristic of the prospector, great liberality. He will be much missed in Bisbee, where he has a host of friends. He is buried In the mountains whose treasures he has so successfully assisted in discovering
Cochise Review Bisbee July 2, 1900

DEATH OF CHRIS JOHNSON.
Western Character Thrown from a Horse and Killed.
Williams, Arizona, July 13. Chris Johnson, widely known over the Pacific slope for the past twenty years as a gambler, mining man and striking western character, was accidentally killed today at Kingman, Arizona, by being thrown from a horse. Chris was riding at a stiff gallop when the reins broke. The horse leaped away throwing him on the ground, breaking his neck.
Johnson owned a great deal of promising mining property at Chloride where he has been operating for the past four years.
Cochise Review Bisbee July 14, 1900

A telegram was received here last Saturday from Butte, Mont., conveying the sad intelligence of the death of Ed Perrow at that place, says the Bisbee Orb. He was employed in one of the mines there and was caught in a cave, badly crushing him, from the effects of which he died, Perrow left Bisbee about six months ago, going to Butte He leaves a young widow in Butte and a father and brother here.
Date: 1900-01-11; Paper: Weekly Republican

Fort Huachuca Man Succumbs In Texas
BISBEE, Feb. 7— <AP>—W. C. Shaw, proprietor of the Fort Huachuca Garage, died Sunday in EI Paso, according to advices received here. He had been operating the garage for 17 years. His wife survives. Funeral services will he conducted here at 3 o'clock tomorrow from the Masonic Temple. Shaw was widely known in Southern Arizona.
Arizona Republic Phoenix Wednesday Morning February 8, 1939

ON THE WAR PATH – Robert Hardie Shot from Ambush – the President Informed

A Tombstone Ariz. dispatch says: The body of Robert Hardie, a well known lawyer of Los Angeles, as brought in here Sunday from Chiricahua mountains, where he was killed by hostile Apaches Saturday afternoon. 

His companion, Dr. Francis Haynes, of Philadelphia, had his horse shot from under him, but escaped by mounting his companion’s horse.  The Indians fired from ambush.  Both men came here for their health two weeks ago.

The coroner’s jury appointed a committee to draft a statement, which will be wired to President Harrison, reciting the facts of the killing and of the recent outrages committed by a band of Apaches numbering about ten.

Vernon Courier (Lamar County, AL), June 5, 1890 Submitted by Veneta McKinney




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