Morticai (Bert) Roland |
| Posted 2018-06-25 by Judy Wight Branson |
| Prescott Evening Courier, Prescott, Arizona Friday, April 6, 1929, page 1, column 7 M. Bert Roland Is Gun Victim Pioneer Resident Is Killed Early Today At Congress; Chas. Subers Held Mortica Roland, known locally as Bert Roland, is dead and Charles Subers is in the county jail as the result of a shooting scrape between the two which occurred about four o'clock this morning at the Sullivan mine near Congress. Roland died almost instantly, it is learned here today, and Subers was taken into custody and brought to the county jail early today by Deputy Sheriff Harlow Miller. Roland was shot three times, one shot entering his head, a second his left shoulder and the third penetrating his abdomen. The shooting occurred, it is said, after the two men, both of whom had been employed at the Sullivan mine, which is being operated by the United Verde Copper company, for the last several months, had quarreled at Roland's home. Last night they had supper together at Roland's camp, it is reported, sharing a bottle of bootleg liquor. Whether the liquor led to the heated words or not could not be determined today, but at any rate, the remarks became heated some time after midnight and Subers is said to have left for his own cabin, which is near the mine, followed closely by Roland who is alleged to have threatened him. Subers, the story goes, went to his cabin and closed and locked the door, telling Roland, who demanded admittance, to go away and not start any trouble. The latter, however, is said to have forced an entrance, when Subers fired the fatal shots. Subers was being questioned closely today by the county attorney, W. E. Patterson, and Sheriff George Ruffner. An inquest will be held before Coroner John Connery of the Congress district tomorrow. Roland, about 56 years of age, has been a resident of this county nearly all his life, coming here in his early youth from Ohio, where he was born. During his residence here, he spent most of his time at mining and went to Congress about four months ago to work for the United Verde Company. He is survived by his widow, who is living in California, three sons and a daughter, Clyde Roland, the proprietor of Paradise Valley ranch, Ralph Roland, living in Evergreen, Louisiana, and Leonard Roland, living in Long Beach, California, and Mattie Roland, who is making her home in Twin Bridges, Montana. Subers, a man of middle age, is a native of Yavapai county, and with his wife, has a small ranch about out of Prescott on the Copper Basin road. He has been interested in mining, however, and was employed as a miner by the big company operating the Sullivan property. He will allege self defense, it was said today. Subers has two brothers living in this vicinity, one of them being John Subers, employed as a fireman on the Santa Fe, and the other, William Subers, Mrs. John Warren of Kirkland also is a relative. Transcriber's note: Mr. Roland is buried in an unmarked grave at the Citizens Cemetery in Prescott, Arizona. |
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