MERRITT, John Sidney

Prescott Evening Courier, Prescott, Arizona Thursday, May 25, 1933, page 1, column 3 John Merritt, Pioneer, Dies John S. Merritt, in his late seventies, who served the last four and a half years as Yavapai county night jailor under Sheriff George C. Ruffner, died shortly after five o'clock this morning in his 213 South Cortez street home. For all practical purposes he 'died with his boots on,' as the expression goes, because, though in ill health since December, he continued to work up until the last. Late yesterday he went to work as usual, at six o'clock, and an hour and a half later was making his rounds inspecting the basement with one of the deputies also on duty. Mr. Merritt collapsed on the job, was carried to the sheriff's quarters immediately, and later removed to his home. He lapsed into a coma about 8:30 o'clock from which he never regained consciousness, hence, the end was peaceful. Mr. Merritt came to Prescott from California in the early '80's and for a few years thereafter ran the old Bauer cattle ranch. For a period he ran a butcher shop in Jerome, then, with the late Jim Lowery, went into partnership with him in the transfer business. When Lowery was elected Yavapai sheriff, Mr. Merritt served as a deputy, but later went back to the transfer business. Survivors are his widow, Mrs. Sarah J. Merritt, who served as secretary of Golden Rule chapter, Order of Easter (sic) Star, continuously for twenty years, only to resign this year, and a son, Charles Sidney, commonly called Jimmy. Arrangements have not been announced for funeral services.