POTTER, William X.

Prescott Journal Miner, Prescott, Arizona Territory Wednesday Morning, April 18, 1906, page 5, col. 1 Takes Laudanum To End HIs Life Wm. X. Potter Chooses the Poison Route To Stifle His Sorrows Due to Domestic Troubles, Occasioned By a Separation From His Wife. Apparently demented from brooding over family troubles which culminated in a separation from his wife, on the 1st of February last, William X. Potter, apparently a man of some education, ended a week's debauch and his earthly career in room 4 of the Depot hotel yesterday morning by swallowing an overdose of laudanum. He came to this city about a week ago from the southern part of the county, where he recently, it is said, disposed of a flock of 400 goats at a good figure. He was well supplied with funds, and engaged the room where he ended his life. He slept in it very little, his usual place of repose being a chair in the bar room. A few days ago he was arrested by the city police force on the charge of drunkenness and lodged in the city jail for the night. The city recorder turned him loose in the morning without imposing a fine upon the promise that he would quit indulging too freely in the flowing. However, he continued the debauch and yesterday morning about 6 o'clock the night bartender not seeing him around as usual, suggested to the porter that he call room 4 and find out what, if anything, was the matter. The porter found the door locked and going out on the porch gained admittance through another door. On entering the room he found the deceased lying on the outside of the covers on the bed, undressed and breathing heavily. He immediately reported the result of his observations to the bartender, who, hurriedly called Dr. R. N. Looney, who answered the call, arriving there about 6:30. A hasty examination of the man convinced the physician that poison was the cause of the trouble, and that the case was a desperate one. The pulse had ceased to beat, but respiration was still noticeable. He applied every remedy known to medical science, but death ensued one hour and a half later, despite his efforts. An empty one ounce vial marked laudanum on a Brisley Drug company label was found in his left hand pants pocket, which later investigations proved that he had purchased at the corner drug store on the evening of the 15th at 6:20 o'clock. His remains were immediately taken in charge by the Nevin undertaking parlors, where an inquest was held at 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon by justice of the peace Keobane and a jury composed of the following well known citizens: J. B. Hocker, James Turner, W. G. Gaston, B. F. Winn, R. R. Stedman and Gus Roderburg. Dr. Looney, Harry Brisley of the Brisley Drug company, City Recorder McLane, Officer Charles Irwin and William Bannister were examined, testifying in part to the facts above stated, and the jury after viewing the remains and a few minutes' deliberation, returned a verdict of suicide by opium poisoning. The deceased was aged about 63 years and a native of Ohio. Very little is known of his history previous to his arrival in the Minnehaha flat district about 15 years ago, where he engaged in placer mining on Oak creek, later purchasing a band of goats, which he kept for several years, until a short time since, when it is said he disposed of them at $ 2.50 a head. Some two years ago he married Mrs. Goodwin, an old-time resident of the Wagoner section, the union, it is said, did not result happily, finally termination on Feb. 1st last, as exemplified in the following document in the handwriting of the deceased and signed by his wife in the presence of two witnesses, which was found among a number of letters and photographs in a small valise at his bedside when he breathed his last. 'To all whom it may concern: This is to certify that William X. Potter, (husband) and Carrie T. Potter (wife) having separated this 1st day of Feb., A. D. 1906, by mutual consent, that tho said Wm. X. Potter is hereby released from all marriage obligations, and is to enjoy absolute freedom in all things just the same as he could or would have done had no contract of marriage ever been made between us. (Signed) Carrie T. Potter Attest: V. D. Mendor, John Goodwin. Letterheads found indicated that he was connected to the National Advertising Distribution Bureau, with offices in Chicago, and that he was the authorized agent of the concern. Letters were also found from a sister, Mrs. Naomi Yerick, of 661 Twenty-forth street, Oakland, Cal., and the photo of a Mrs. Bessie E. Simmons of Ilwaco, Washington, who is either a daughter or a niece of the deceased, her maiden name being Potter. Prominent among the literary productions found in he valise was the famous speech delivered in congress by delegate to congress, Mark Smith on the all-absorbing topic of the statehood question, while a number of letters and writings showed beyond doubt that Potter was a man of some breeding and education. As soon as his sister in Oakland answers a wire sent her yesterday by the Nevin undertaking parlors the funeral arrangements will be announced. Transcriber's note: There is no headstone marking the place of Mr. Potter's burial site.