The startling news was received in this city last night that Mr.
Frank S. Belcher, president of the Phoenix National Bank had died
late in the afternoon at Rockport, Texas of apoplexy. The
dispatch announcing Mr. Belcher's death was addressed to C.J.
Hall, cashier of the bank. It did not give any particulars.
Mr. Belcher left Phoenix three weeks ago for Fort Worth Texas
where he had extensive business interests. He had been afflicted
with a heavy cold coupled with an attack of indigestion and had
hope that the mild air of the Texas gulf coast would benefit him.
Rockport is a small place on the coast which in former years had
been frequented by Mr. Belcher. Nothing had been heard of him for
some time by his business associates here and it is surmised that
he went to Rockport soon after reaching Fort Worth. His son, Fred
S. Belcher and his brother, W.C. Belcher of Austin, Texas were
with him when he died.
Although it was well known in Phoenix that Mr. Belcher was in
delicate health there was no idea that his condition was serious
and the dispatch announcing his death caused much surprise. He
was a man of strong personality and will be greatly missed. When
in Phoenix except for the short time that he was confined to his
home, he was generally to be found at his desk, which stood near
the front window of the bank overlooking Washington Street. His
close application to business undoubtedly hastened his death.
Although he lived only about two years in Phoenix, Mr. Belcher
had a large circle of friends and there will be sincere sorrow
today when the news of his death becomes generally known.
Mr. Belcher was born in Kentucky about fifty years ago. His
parents, who were poor, died when he was very young. From the
day he became old enough to go out into the world he was obliged
to provide for himself. He was emphatically a self made man. About
eighteen years ago he removed to Charlotte, Michigan. At
that time he was a man of great physical activity. No work
seemed too difficult for him to undertake. He had carved
out a fortune by his individualism and soon after becoming a
resident of Michigan he became noted as a financier. A few
years ago he was forced by continued ill health to seek a
milder climate and went to Texas where he became interested
in several financial enterprises.
From the time he went to Michigan until he came to Arizona
two years ago his brain was kept busy evolving plans for the
betterment of his business ventures and his physical powers
slowly, but surely relaxed. At the time he became a resident
of Phoenix he was far from a well man. He was elected president
of the Phoenix National and devoted his energies to the upbuilding
of that institution. In this he was successful. He was an old
school Republican, and in the recent campaign did what he could
to advance the cause of sound money. He was a firm believer in
the future of Arizona.
Mr. Belcher leaves a wife, a son, Fred S. and a daughter, L.
Maude. Mrs. and Miss Belcher are now in Michigan. It is probable
that his remains will be taken to Charlotte for burial. Mr. C.C.
Bowen of Detroit, a stockholder in the bank and a partner of D.M.
Ferry of Detroit, who is also interested in the bank is expected
to reach Phoenix in a few days.
Dec 1, 1896
There was a meeting yesterday afternoon of the board of directors
of the Phoenix National Bank to take action upon the death of
Frank S. Belcher, late president of the bank.
Charles BESSE
April 14, 1896
Charles Besse, one of the pioneers of Phoenix died yesterday
morning of pneumonia. He was about 64 years of age, a native of
Germany. He came to Phoenix about 1878 and here has made a living
by diverse means, as a musician and latterly as the owner of the
old bootblack stand of Kane's Barbershop. The funeral will be
today from the residence on East Monroe Street.
The funeral of Charles Besse was held yesterday afternoon from
the late residence of deceased on East Washington Street. The
old musician had many friends in Phoenix for his life had been
blameless and his funeral well expressed the esteem.
ARTHUR BIDGOOD
Aug 9, 1896
Arthur Bidgood died last evening at Prescott of typhoid fever. He
worked for the S.F.P & P Company there for over a year as check
clerk. He was a most popular young man and his untimely death is
much regretted. He ws 24 years of age and his parents reside at
San Bernardino, Cal.
JOHN BOLTON
Feb 4, 1896
John Bolton, father of Walter Bolton, died yesterday morning at
his son's residence at Tempe. Deceased was advanced in years
and had only resided in the valley for a few months. He came
hither from California to seek the benefits of this climate
for an aggravated case of asthma.
Feb 5, 1896
The remains of John H. Bolton, who died at the home of his
son, Walter Bolton at Tempe Monday were yesterday shipped over
the Santa Fe to San Francisco.
JERRY BRIGGS
Feb 19, 1896
Bisbee: Jerry Briggs, conductor of train No. 1 on the A. & S.E.
was killed this morning at Packard Station while switching.
He was uncoupling cars and fell under the train. No one is
blamed for the accident.
The bereaved wife and two children will leave with the remains
for their old home in Iowa tomorrow.
Mr. BROWN
April 23, 1896
Los Angeles Record: J.D. Schuyler has just returned from another
trip to Arizona. While there the scene of his visit, about
seventeen miles north of Hackberry, he witnessed a tragedy.
Charles Hunt, a young man of 23 who had figured as the hero of
a wife-abducting episode a few months before, was the unpleasant
center of a murder incident Monday. He became involved in a
quarrel with Mr. Brown, a man 65 years of age, over a horse.
Hunt told Brown to leave the horse alone or he would shoot him.
Brown took the horse by the bridle and was shot by Hunt. Much
surprise was manifested as Hunt was considered a rather peaceful,
goodnatured man.
JOSEPH BUCHER
Aug 6, 1896
A man named Joseph Bucher was killed near Wilcox on the other day
by attempting to board the eastbound train. He slipped under the
wheels and his body was horribly mangled.
THEODORE BUCK
October 25, 1896
Theodore Buck aged 72 years died yesterday morning. The funeral
will be held this afternoon at 2 o'clock and all members of the
G.A.R. are invited to attend.
H. BUNN
March 26, 1896
H. Bunn, aged about 60, died Saturday at the Phoenix Mine of an
intestinal disorder and was buried Sunday at the camp graveyard.
CHARLES BURTON
July 28 ,1896
Charles Burton died Sunday at Mesa, aged 60 years. Deceased was an
old timer in the valley coming here twenty years ago in company
with Supervisor Kimball.
BUSH BABY
Sep 16, 1896
The 2 years old son of James R. Bush died yesterday morning.
The funeral took place last evening.
