POMEROY, Fred A.

Mohave County Miner, Kingman, Arizona March 14, 1903 Fred Pomeroy Meets Death In Enterprise Shaft Last Monday morning while descending the ladder to work In the Enterprise shaft. Fred A Pomeroy was suddenly seized by an attack of heart failure or lost his hold on the ladders and was precipitated to the bottom of the shaft over one hundred feet below. At a depth of eighty feet he went through an open trap in a platform his body striking the door and closing it after him. The unfortunate mans head was crushed in a terrible manner the whole force of contact with the bottom of the shaft evidently being on the head. His partner Tim Harrington was going down the ladder below Pomeroy and when about fifteen feet from the surface the latter laughingly said, "If I fall catch me Tim" and almost instantly fell backward from the ladder. Harrington descended to the bottom as fast as possible and found Fred struggling to get upon his feet. There was a small amount of water in the bottom and his face was in the water. Harrington raised him up and rang for the bucket. He tied the injured man in the bucket and ascended the shaft with it. On the surface the injured man made a terrible struggle to get on his feet, but was unable to do so he lived one hour and fifteen minutes and just before breathing his last he raised both hands and pressed them to his forehead took a long breath and was dead. Cal. Wilson, who had charge of the mine hearing of the injury of Pomeroy saddled his horse and came to town for a doctor. The distance of twenty miles was made in a little over an hour Dr Ealy was called up and within ten minutes they were on their way back Fred was dead when they arrived and they took the body back to Kingman where it was taken in charge by the Knights of Pythias. It was found that his skull was fractured in three places and below the right shoulder was a great bruise where he had evidently struck against the trap door. Tuesday afternoon the funeral took place under the auspices of the Knights of Pythias from the M E church Rev Decker a member of the order preached the funeral sermon and his remarks left few dry eyes in the little edifice. A pathetic scene was the unrestrained grief of a great number of school children with whom Fred had been a great favorite. The little church was filled to overflowing by the friends of deceased. A great wreath and triangle of flowers decorated the coffin. After the service at the church the cortege wended its way to the little grave yard where the beautiful burial service of the order was read and all that was mortal of Fred Pomeroy was committed to the earth there to remain until that great day when all men shall be called to final judgment. Fred A Pomeroy was born in the little village of Dacoto Alameda county California on the 7th day of November 1875 and removed with his parents to Gila Bend in this territory when about ten years of age. After the death of his father in 1893 be with his mother went to Los Angeles where he took a business course In one of the colleges. The following year his mother and members of the family returned to Gila Bend but it was but a short time until the mother died leaving three boys and one girl to fight the battles of life alone. The brothers and sister were sent to an aunt in Los Angeles and Fred in company of Henry Lang struck out to find work. After months of hardships they arrived in Kingman and having secured employment, made this place their home. When the war with Spain broke out Fred A Pomeroy was one of the first to offer his services to the government and became a member of Roosevelt's gallant band of Rough Riders being aligned to Major McClintocks division. He was at the battle of La Guisimas and San Juan Hill After that famous battle he was several months in the hospital suffering from yellow fever and when he returned to Kingman nearly a year after he was in poor health. The people of our little town welcomed his return with open arms and he was made the recipient of an ovation at the town hall that any hero returning from the wars might well be proud of. There he was presented with a beautiful watch to the purchase of which nearly every person including the children had contributed. He was a noble fellow warm hearted and generous to a degree. Left alone In the world when but a boy he had overcome all obstacles and made of himself a man among men. He was soon to be wedded to a most estimable young lady and to her and the brothers and sister the sympathy of the community is extended. Not in the history of the town has a death been so grievously felt by the people. Among his brothers in the order of Knights of Pythias his place cannot be filled. May the bright sunlight of heaven radiate his grave and light the way to that heaven of peace in which all true Knights believe.