James Shearer |
| Posted 2018-07-02 by Judy Wight Branson |
| Prescott Evening Courier, Prescott, Arizona Territory Monday, February 2, 1925, page 1, column 2 Shearer Loses Fight For Life Aged Man Injured by Shot in Leg, Succumbs; Patterson, Anderson in Jail James Searer, 73, pioneer prospector, died early yesterday morning at the county hospital as the result of a bullet wound received at the hands of Ralph Anderson Saturday afternoon. The aged man, who was well known in the county, was brought to this city following the accident but was so weak from loss of blood and from the shock that he was unable to survive. His death was reported to Coroner Gordon Clark soon after 8 o'clock yesterday morning and an investigation immediately was begun. Ramsey Patterson and Anderson are being held without bail pending the result of the inquest. According to the story told at the time the shooting occurred, Patterson, noted lion hunter, Anderson and Shearer all were camped together. While the two former men were in Prescott early in the week, Shearer is said to have packed his outfit and left, and, according to Patterson and Anderson, taking along a mule and a pack saddle belonging to his partners. Patterson and Anderson said they started to trail the old man, following him for 40 miles in a day and a half. When they came upon him, they said they called to him to stop but that he reached for a gun he had in a saddle holster. Patterson then fired into the ground in front of Shearer, but Anderson, in an attempt to stop the aged man from getting his gun, fired under the mule, striking him in the thigh just below the hip. The shot struck higher than he had intended, Anderson said, and tore a hole through Shearer's leg, shattering the bone and emerging in two great wounds on the inside of the leg. Loss of blood as the result, and the shock caused the old man's death. Patterson and Anderson will be held, it was stated today, until the coroner's jury, which spent all day yesterday in investigating the shooting, determines the cause of the affair. According to local authorities, the trio had been in business together and the quarrel arose over the failure to divide the profits. Shearer is said to have told friend that, in lieu of a division, he had taken the mule and outfit, and left for greener fields. The members of the coroner's jury who will conclude their hearing some time Wednesday, include, Harry Temple, Sr., foreman, John Burris, Frank Lawhead, Tim Phillips. E. H. Morrell and M. L. Ganey. Transcriber's note: Mr. Shearer is buried in an unmarked grave at the Citizens Cemetery in Prescott, Arizona. |
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