Robert Organ |
| Posted 2016-12-18 by Judy Wight Branson |
| Weekly Journal Miner, Prescott, Arizona Territory Wednesday, August 23, 1911, page 5, column 4/5 Two Found Dead In Their Cabin Home (From Sunday's Daily) Robert Organ, more familiarly known as 'Tin Can Johnny,' and William Miller until recently a porter of the Scopel Hotel, were found dead in their rooms in a cabin in the rocks of West Prescott yesterday afternoon at 4:30 o'clock. While the cause of the deaths has not been established, it is generally believed to be poison and the supposition that suicide was the motive is not borne out by the circumstances. The features of both were normal and in death they had the appearance of being in a deep sleep. There was no evidence whatever of convulsions preceding death, such as ordinarily are in evidence when poison is taken, to indicate a struggle or which are reflected in distorted features. Both were lying on their beds in a natural condition, each with his shoes and clothing on. Miller was found with his hat pulled partially over his face, while Organ's pipe was found beside his head on the clothing, indicating that he had evidently expired while smoking. Not a scrap of paper was found in the rooms, and neither were any bottles, or other vessels found that usually contain poison. The supposition of friends is that both men met death in a slow manner, and that it was due to drinking beer from a three gallon fruit can and that the can was infected with poison. It is believed by John Cahill, a friend of Organ, who, last night, stated that he drank one cup full early in the day, and it produced such a nauseous effect that he vomited many times afterward. He and Miller came over to town at about 9 a.m. yesterday, but after a short time Organ returned and the next time he was seen by Cahill in the afternoon he was dead. Mr. Cahill is of the opinion that the beer can was picked up the day before by Organ near the cabin and filled when he returned home that night. Early, in the morning the two men commenced to drink freely, and it would appear that Miller succumbed shortly afterward. An effort was made to arouse him from his sleep before 9 o'clock, but was abandoned. Organ informing Cahill that Miller was naturally obstinate and to permit him to lie in bed until they returned from town. After Organ and Cahill separated, it is believed that the former was under effects of the liquor, and instead of going to the saloon on North Cortez street, to perform his daily labors, retraced his steps to the cabin and expired a short time afterward. There remains in the can a small amount of beer, possibly two glasses, It contained when full about eleven glasses of which Miller is said to have taken at least four in succession when he laid down in bed and passed away, without every uttering a word of giving any alarm that death was approaching. Both bodies were removed from the place in the afternoon and an inquest will be held this afternoon at 2 o'clock in Ruffner's parlors by Justice of the Peace McLane. Organ was about 76 years old and Miller was over 55 years. ------------------------------------------ The Williams News, Williams, Arizona Territory Saturday, September 2, 1911, page 2, column 2 Robert Organ, generally known as Tin Can Johnny, and William Miller were found dead in a cabin on the west bank of Granite creek, this city. A can containing a little beer was found in the cabin. The supposition as to the cause of death is that the beer had accidentally been placed in a can containing poison, and that the men had, by mistake, drank alcohol. Transcriber's note: Mr. Organ is buried at the Citizens Cemetery in Prescott, Arizona. See Also: Arizona Gravestone Photo Project |
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