Amasa Gillet (A.G.) Dunn |
| Posted 2019-01-08 by Judy Wight Branson |
| Weekly Arizona Journal-Miner, Prescott, Arizona Territory Saturday, November 12, 1870, page 3, column 2 Another Man Shot and Killed Nothing displeases us more than to have to record loss of life, by violence, in our town, and but for the fact that it is our plain duty to make a faithful record of such serious matters, we would not do so. Such being the case we must now send out the news that A. G. Dunn, an old citizen of this town, was shot and killed by Jas. A. Simpson on the afternoon of the 8th Instant. We would like to give a full history of the trouble which led to this killing, but cannot do so, for the reason it first started on account of a woman. Simpson gave offense to Dunn, and it is said that Dunn and another man went to Simpson's place, on Willow Creek, about three miles from Prescott, some time ago, and opened fire upon Simpson, who then got away without a scratch. Dunn returned to town, and, we are told, made several threats to take Simpson's life, whenever Simpson came within range of his pistol. Matters stood this way until election day, when Simpson came to town. Dunn was at the polls nearly all that day, working for McCormick, and as he had drank considerable, his worst passions became aroused, and he told a leading McCormick man that he was going to kill Simpson, Simpson was appraised of this, and on being asked, by Governor Safford, why he was not at work, electioneering, for McCormick, he gave as his reason for not doing so, the threat which Dunn had made, and his repugnance to getting into trouble. The above is common report, and likely to be true. The following is Simpson's story: Some time after dark, on the evening in question, he had his horse saddled and was about to start from F. A. Cook's place, on Cortez street, when he saw a man loitering around C. C. Bean's stable, and thinking that said man might be going to steal the horse, he (Simpson) went to the stable, recognizing the man, who was under the influence of liquor, and far from being a thief. Simpson, however, started up the hill, towards C. C. Bean's house, to inform Mr. Cortes, who had charge of the place, that he had better fasten a door or window of the stable, which was open, but, just as he had arrived near the fence which surrounds the house, Dunn, who was returning to town, from his own house, came along, and said, 'Is that you, Simpson ?' Simpson replied 'yes,' when Dunn drew his six- shooter, and Simpson leveled his Sharp's rifle, which he had in his hands. Shots were then rapidly exchanged, until Dunn fell dead, after having received four shots - three from the rifle, and one from a six- shooter, which Simpson drew on account of the machinery of his gun refused to work.. Simpson further stated to us that Dunn what not more than fourteen feet from him when the firing commenced; that himself and Dunn kept firing and advancing, until they were within a few feet of each other. Simpson surrendered himself to Sheriff Taylor, and was placed in confinement. Dr. McCandless, who examined Dunn's body, says he found where four bullets had entered, two in the breast, one in the side, and one through the head. Deceased came to this Territory in the latter part of '63, or early '64, we dismember which, and has ever been looked upon as a dangerous man when in liquor. But, he was industrious, and managed to accumulate some property. He leaves a wife and daughter. Simpson, the slayer of Dunn, has not been long a resident of the Territory, consequently, we know very little regarding him, further than that this was his first difficulty in the Territory. The case is now undergoing examination, and we forbear further remarks. Transcriber's note: Mr. Dunn is buried in an unmarked grave at the Citizens Cemetery in Prescott, Arizona. |
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