RALPH, George E.

Weekly Journal Miner, Prescott, Arizona Territory October 12, 1883, page 2, columns 1 & 2 Terrible Tragedy George E. Ralph Shot Down by George Walker The saddest duty that can devolve upon a journalist is ours to-day - that of chronicling the death of a friend by violence. Wednesday at this time George Ralph was living in the full enjoyment of health, with a bright future spread out before him. Today he lies a cold corpse, the victim of an assassins bullet, the work of a weak, foolish, but beautiful woman, and the artificial courage of a man who commits a back door murder, thinking that his wife's scandal will make a hoodlum here of him rather than hang him. Think of the feelings of this poor mother, deprived of her pride and hope. What that we could pour the balm of sympathy into her bleeding heart, but we can only command her to that higher power who can alone console in such a case. Mrs. Walker has, by her indiscreet conduct, caused much scandal in the city for a long time back, and not alone with Ralp, but latterly he seems to have been the chief recipient of her attention, which as friends say, was almost forced on him. Yesterday afternoon she visited his assay office and the tin shop adjoining, followed very shortly after by her husband, who did not then succeed in finding her, as she remained but a moment and then left to avoid him. Trouble was feared by many then, but as Walker seem to pay little attention to the matter, though he saw and had ample chance to shoot Ralph, it was thought that nothing would come of it. After dark, about 6:30 p.m., however, three shots were heard in rapid succession, followed after a slight pause, by two more, all coming from the rear of Hubbard's cigar store, near the corner of Montezuma and Goodwin streets, where Ralph's assay office was situated. Those nearby hastened to the scene, only to find George speechless and dying - a few convulsive gasps and all was over. One shot, only, supposed to have been the third, had taken effect, which entered at the left cheek, fracture the jawbone and taking a downward course came out at the neck on the right side, just about the shoulder, cutting the carotid artery and causing almost instant death. There was a slight wound on the little finger of the left hand, caused by a bullet, which also took away the setting of the ring he wore, but in all probability this was done by the same bullet that killed him, as he probably put out his hand to defend himself, and so received the fatal shot. How it actually occurred will probably never be known, as one actor in this terrible tragedy is dead, the other, however reliable he may be is confronted with an incentive for self-preservation from the just penalty of his awful crime, which would warp and render most any testimony unreliable. The statement of the prisoner, in full taken early this morning, will be found below. This much is known, that Walker was seen to enter the side gate of the lot adjoining, and he must have crept to the rear door of Ralph's office, and, without a word of warning, shot him down, the course of the bullets and the attendant circumstantial evidence, as developed thus far, go to prove this, while the statement of the prisoner that there was any previous altercation or loud talk is fully disproved by the evidence of Mr. Bush, who was in the front office, who states that the doors were open and the other a jar, and he heard not a word until the third shot, when Ralph cried out as he had heard him do when he had burned or scorched himself, which he often did in his assays. We learn that deceased arrived here in March 1880, and was employed by Mr. Blake until about a year ago when he started in business for himself. He came originally from Hannibal, Missouri, that his parents now reside in San Francisco. Ralph was a young man, but yet 30 years of age, of high character, great energy and ability, and by his industry and strict attention to business, he had already reached a leading place in his profession in the city. He was a member of the Prescott Rifles, and had endeared himself to his comrades by his general manners and soldierly qualities, that he was recently promoted to be Second Lieut., an office which he had faithfully and creditably filled. His death at this time, as well as the manner of his taking off, is particularly bad, as he was planning a visit home early in December, which should be a vacation to him and a delightful surprise for his mother and friends, and had managed his business with but and in view. The Rifles will make suitable provisions for the obsequies of the deceased, and his remains will be forwarded to his friends in California, who have been communicated with, but the time has not yet been determined upon, is no reply has thus far been received from them. We have call things by their right names and told the exact truth in the foregoing article, presenting all the facts to be obtained. It now remains for the slow but sure hand of the eternal justice to say whether this murder was a cowardly and deliberate attempt to pose as a hero with no danger to himself, or the justifiable act of an enraged husband to wash out with blood the insult to his home and defend the honor of a wife hitherto chaste and spotless - the law must decide. Weekly Journal Miner, Prescott, Arizona Territory October 12, 1883, page 2, column 4 The Funeral The Prescott Rifles Pay the Last Attributes of Respect to Lieut. Geo. E. Ralph By 10 o'clock this morning the Armory of the Rifles was filled with a large concourse of citizens of Prescott, assembled to show their presence that though far from home and those he held most dear, Ralph had many friends here who would mingle their chairs with the bereaved mother and stricken relatives so far away. The body was enclosed in a handsome rosewood casket, raced up on a catafalque, covered with black cloth, and over this white crepe, extending halfway to the floor and caught up at intervals in graceful festoons. Directly under the coffin and following up on either side was the flag of the Rifles, while on top rested the side arms of the deceased, almost hidden in a profusion of natural flowers. The floral offerings, which had been collected with the infinite trouble I the young lady friends of the deceased, were a credit alike to their taste and industry. Capt. Ainsworth had entire charge of the obsequies and turned over the command of the Company, which was drawn in line at the foot of the coffin, to 1st Lieut. Frank Meador, who called those to attention soon after the hour named and gave the command, "Rest on Arms." The 3rd Calvary Band then gave the beautiful Battle Hymn. As the rich that solemn melody filled the building a hush fell upon the entire assembly and tears sprang to many eyes. Professor Martin then read in an impressive manner the Episcopal service for the dead, assisted at intervals by the choir composed of Mr. and Mrs. Bolen, Miss Snyder, and Miss Martin, who sang the anthem "Come unto Me And I Will Give You Rest," "Oh, that I has Wings like a Dove," and one other, which were rendered in a very appropriate manner. These services in the Armory close with an appropriate selection by the band, who then took up position outside, followed by the Rifles, who formed in line and "Presented Arms" as the remains were being transferred to the hearse by the pallbearers. Messer., Geo. S. Porter, P. A. Craigue, R. J. Bennett, Samuel Goldwater, W. M. Huffman and N. O. Murphy. The procession, headed by the band, played a dirge and the "Dead March, from Saul," was composed of the escort in a column of fours with arms reversed, the hearse, a carriage, in which rode, Capt. Ainsworth and Col. J. P. Martin, U. S. Army, followed by a long line of carriages and citizens on foot, proceeded slowly to the cemetery where the coffin was lowered into the grave prepared for it. Prof. Martin read the burial service and Hon. T. J. Butler, Treasurer of the Territory of Arizona, delivered the following eloquent and feeling address. After the close of the address three volleys were fired over the grave of the deceased comrade by the Rifles, and so they left him to his rest. The funeral was one of the largest ever held in Prescott, and the first military one that the Rifles have ever had.