Philo H. Trotter |
| Posted 2016-05-10 by Judy Wight Branson |
| Prescott Journal Miner, Prescott, Arizona Saturday, June 29, 1907 In a fit of despondency caused, no doubt, by a severe attack of the jaundice, from which he had been suffering for the past two months, P. H. Trotter, yesterday afternoon, at 3:45 O'clock, ended his life with a .38 caliber Iver Johnson pistol, by shooting himself in the heart. The bullet entered the left breast, below the nipple, passed through the body piercing his heart in its course, and was found in the bedclothes beneath the body. About two months ago, Trotter was taken to the hospital, very ill. His case developed later into a virulent attack of jaundice. He remained in the hospital until about two weeks ago, when he returned to his room in the rear of No. 239 South Granite Street, where he ended his life yesterday. He gradually grew worse, and about a week ago, sent for George C. Ruffner, after telling those about him that he would soon end his life. He told Ruffner to take change of his body in case of his death, and also to notify his sister, a resident of Iowa, who would pay his funeral expenses. A.A. Johns and H. Adams, friends of many years standing, called on him many times daily during the past week and both testified at the corner's inquest that he had repeatedly threatened to end his life in case his health showed no improvement. Yesterday, about 3 o'clock, Mr. Johns called at the place, and found Trotter in a despondent mood. Johns asked him what he desired for supper and Trotter stated that he did not think that he would need any. Mr. Adams then called and Johns left the room to get a fresh supply of water at a near by hydrant. When Johns left the room, Adams noticed Trotter was still in a despondent mood. He also saw a small pistol resting on the bed on which Trotter lay. He stepped outside to talk with Johns over Trotter's condition, and while both were standing near the hydrant they heard a shot. They immediately ran to the room and found Trotter reclining on the bed, with a bullet hole in the left breast. Johns hurried to a nearby telephone and called Dr. R. N. Looney, who arrived about twenty minutes later, after life was extinct. Trotter lived about five minutes after firing the fatal shot, but never uttered a word. The remains were taken in charge by the Ruffner undertaking establishment after the coroner's jury viewed the body. A verdict that the deceased came to his death from a gunshot wound inflicted by himself, was rendered. Deceased was aged about 60 years and was a native of Iowa. He was unmarried and the only known surviving relative is a sister in Iowa. He came to this city in 1867, and has resided here ever since. He was a carpenter by occupation. In 1886, he received a pistol wound in a saloon row in this city, from which he never fully recovered. The wound was pronounced by his attending physicians to be almost similar to the one which ended President Garfield's life. Two other men lost their lives in the saloon fight where he was injured, but deceased was in no way connected or responsible for it and was making an effort to leave the place when shot. He was a man of tender sympathies and, like almost all of the early pioneers, generous almost to a fault. He leaves no estate and only $1.45 was found on his person. ------------------------------------------ Prescott Morning Courier, Prescott, Arizona Territory Wednesday, July 1, 1907, page 3, column 2 Local News - The funeral of the late Philip H. Trotter will be held at G. F. Ruffner's undertaking parlors, Monday, July 1 at 4:30 p.m. Interment at Citizens cemetery. All friends and acquaintances are invited. See Also: Arizona Gravestone Photo Project |
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