AMBROSE, Joseph S.

Weekly Journal Miner, Prescott, Arizona Wednesday, November 30, 1921, page 1 Elderly Man Ends Life With Revolver On Deserted Plaza; Despondency Thought Motive J. S. Ambrose Puts Bullet Into Brain During Supper Hour; Found by Passing Woman and Sheriff; Was Man of Silence Joseph S. Ambrose, an elderly carpenter of this city, during the hour when citizens were at supper and the plaza was deserted, yesterday evening made his way to a dark and solitary corner of the square near the courthouse, placed the muzzle of a .32 calibre double-acting Colt revolver behind his right ear, and pulled the trigger. A moment later he was found on the sidewalk, by Mrs. Mary Cummings, who happened to be passing near the plaza when she heard the shot, and rushed to the scene. He was struggling on the walk, with a bullet hole in his head. The shot with which Ambrose for some reason ended his life was also heard in the sheriff's office, where Deputy Sheriff Fred Escher was at the time. Escher immediately went out to the scene, where he was joined by Deputy Norman Nellis. Dr. H. T. Southworth was immediately called, but Ambrose lived for only a few minutes. C. H. McLane was notified, and came to the scene in his capacity of coroner. C. A. Amberg, of Ruffner's undertaking establishment, was also called, and the body was removed to the establishment. No reason accept despondency has thus far been assigned for the suicide. J. S. Ambrose was about 55 years of age, and for the past 30 years he had lived like a hermit, although generally in communities like Prescott and its nearby mining camps. He lived at the Brinkmeyer hotel here. Thirty years ago, with a considerable sum of money in his possession he engaged in the hardware business at Glendale where, it is said, he had lost heavily. Since then he had adopted a solitary mode of life. Friends said at times he would never break silence for months at a time, but seemed as one who had suffered a great misfortune and was thinking of his troubles. He did odd jobs and occasionally spent a few weeks at mining camps when he is supposed to be a timberman. He is also said to have been a member of the local carpenter's union. He formerly lived at Glendale and Phoenix, where he was thought to have had relatives, but it has been impossible thus far to discover whether or not he is survived by any relatives living in this part of the world. Coroner McLane last night said an inquest would be held at 10 o'clock this morning. Transcriber's note: Mr. Ambrose is buried in an unmarked grave at the Citizens Cemetery, in Prescott, Arizona.