AVERILL, Thomas Franklin (T. Frank)

Weekly Journal Miner, Prescott, Arizona Territory Wednesday, October 5, 1910, page 3 Sensational Killing In Mayer Charles Wells Shoots T. F. Averill In Self Defense At The Entrance Of The Cook and Wells Saloon and Is Exonerated (From Friday's Daily) T. F. Averill was shot and killed at Mayer yesterday afternoon at 12:15 o'clock by Charles Wells. The shooting occurred at the entrance of the Cook and Wells saloon. Wells was exonerated. A coroner's jury was impaneled by Justice of the Peace Knapp, which returned a verdict that Averill came to his death from gunshot wounds inflicted by Wells. Wells was arrested and arraigned later in the afternoon in the court of Justice Knapp. After several witnesses were examined he was discharged from custody, all of the testimony showing that he acted in self defense. From the meager details of the affray received last night it appears that Averill and Wells have not been on friendly terms. Averill it is alleged, called at the home of Wells Wednesday night, and informed him that he would hand his hide on the fence the following day at noon. He applied vile epithets to Wells during the heated discussion, which awakened several residents of the neighborhood. Averill, it is said informed several people yesterday morning that he intended to kill Wells at noon, which was conveyed to Wells. Fearing for his life, Wells armed himself with a double-barreled shotgun, loaded with buckshot, at his place of business, the Cook & Wells saloon. A few minutes after 12 o'clock, Averill was seen walking in the direction of the place. He stopped a laborer on the way and informed him that before he returned from dinner there would be a 'dead one' in the saloon. He made threats against Wells to others, which added further to Wells's alarm, as Averill has long been known as a resolute and desperate man. Armed with a Colt's revolver of .45 caliber, loaded with soft-nosed bullets, which was found on his person after the killing. Averill was seen by Wells walking into the saloon through the front door. Wells instantly fired with two barrels of the shotgun, both charges lodging in Averill's head. The latter fell tot he floor, unable to return the fire. He died in less than three minutes. As he was struggling to arise, Wells grasped a sixshooter and fired three shots into his body, fearing that Averill would still shoot and kill him. Soon after the killing a telegram was sent to Averill's wife, who is visiting with her aunt, Mrs Jones in Phoenix, informing her that her husband was seriously ill. Later another message was sent informing her of his death. Lester Ruffner, undertaker, left here at 3:30 o'clock, to take charge of the remains. Funeral arrangements will be announced later. Averill had been a resident of this county for several years. He was engaged in mining and leaves valuable interests. He was a principal in a shooting affray a few years ago in Mayer, in which one man met his death. He was exonerated for the killing by a jury in the District Court. Before coming to this Territory he is said to have served several years as special messenger for Wells Fargo & Co. in Mexico. Charles Wells has resided several years in this county. He is known as a quiet and inoffensive young man. He sincerely regrets the killing, although justified and compelled to shoot to save his own life. --------------------------------- Weekly Journal Miner, Prescott, Arizona Territory Wednesday, October 5, 1910, page 6, column 2 Additional News of Mayer Killing (From Friday's Daily) The remains of T. F. Averill were brought to Prescott yesterday to be prepared for interment, and later announcement will be made of the funeral arrangements. An examination of the body shows many wounds. the two charges of buckshot penetrated the head and the side of the face. Three bullets from the pistol entered the chest, one passing through the heart, another lodged in the stomach, and one passed through the right eye into the brain, making five wounds. Twenty five wounds were inflicted, any one of which would have proven fatal. Averill had arranged his business so as to leave the Mayer country before the first of the coming year, and intended to locate in the Salt River valley, taking an option on a piece of land while visiting his wife in Phoenix five days prior to the shooting. Mr. Averill's brother is expected to arrive from Albuquerque, N.M. today. --------------------------------- Transcriber's note: Mr. Averill is buried in an unmarked grave at the Citizens Cemetery, Prescott, Arizona.