William Whalen |
| Posted 2017-02-17 by Judy Wight Branson |
| Arizona Journal - Miner, Prescott, Arizona Territory Saturday, April 25, 1903 Very Deliberate Was Man Blowing Out His Brains. Bridge Carpenter William Whalen Greets Friends and Immediately Commits Suicide Yesterday afternoon about 5 o'clock a man apparently about 60 years of age walked into the depot and opened a hand satchel which he carried and took therefrom a 38 calibre Smith & Wesson six shooter, put it in his pocket and walked leisurely down the platform of the depot, speaking to one or two persons in a pleasant manner. He walked about 200 feet beyond the depot to a little building when he fired the revolver in the air, apparently to see if the gun was working all right. He then sat down on a little embankment at the end of the building and placing the pistol to his right temple sent a ball crashing through his brain, falling back dead, death having resulted instantly. At the sound of the second shot those around the depot rushed to the scene and the sad spectacle described above met their gaze. The sheriff's office was notified at once as was Justice Talbot, who went at once to the scene and empaneled a jury who viewed the body, after which it was removed to the undertaking parlors of S. A. Logan. The jury met at eight o'clock last evening and examined the case finding that the deceased was a bridge carpenter by the name of William Whalen. He had been working for the railroad company for some time and had about $300 a few days ago at which time he took his baggage to the depot to have it sent to San Francisco. He stayed about town a few days too long and made a remark yesterday that he was broke. He was well dressed and apparently in good health, and the only reason apparent for the rash act was despondency over his bad fortune. Nothing is known of his relatives and if nothing is learned he will be buried as a county charge tomorrow. Transcriber's note: Mr. Whalen is buried at the Citizens Cemetery in Prescott, Arizona. See Also: Arizona Gravestone Photo Project |
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