Mrs. Chester Conger was burned to death at her home at the
corner of Fourth and Taylor Streets, a little after 4 o'clock
yesterday afternoon. She died at 8 o'clock last night after
great suffering, mercifully relieved in part by the terrible
shock she had sustained.
She was alone at the time of the accident and though she
retained consciousness until she went under the influence of
opiates, nearly two hours later, she was unable to give a
clear account of it. She had lighted a gasoline stove to
prepare dinner. It was thought that the stove exploded,
but neighbors did not hear it, though some of them thought
they heard a noise like an explosion after Mrs. Conger was
on fire. The stove was a small one of a very old pattern
and was set on a box. It was found toppled over on the
floor, broken, perhaps by the fall. The reservoir, a
very large one, was intact. There is a theory that the
stove slipped form the box and in falling a pipe was broken
from which gasoline was thrown upon Mrs. Conger. She was
clad in a gown of light cotton material and she was
instantly aflame from head to foot. She must have had
great presence of mind. She ran from the kitchen
through the dining room to a closet, where there was a
woolen blanket. She wrapped herself in the blanket and
started again to the rear of the house. At the kitchen
door she was met by Mrs. W.A. Moeur, who lives next door
and by a milkman. She was no longer on fire. Every
particle of clothing had been burned away. She walked
with assistance to Mrs. Moeur's residence. In her
flight through the house she had set two door jams on
fire.
The fire department had been called out but on its arrival
there was very little to do. The flames had licked over
the woodwork of the kitchen but had not bitten deep and
were quickly extinguished. Dr. Hughes arrived first then
Dr. Plath and last Dr. Craig. There was nothing for them
to do but relieve the closing hours as much as possible.
The body was taken last night to Mohn and Easterlings and
the funeral will take place at 5 o'clock this afternoon
from the residence of Mrs. Conger's parents on the Tempe
Road. Mrs. Jennie Kurtz Conger was a daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. W.F. Fickas. She was 27 years of age and was
married about six years ago to Chester Conger who has
for several years been employed by the Alkire Dry Goods
Company. Mr. and Mrs. Conger had one child who died
last fall. The dead woman had grown up in Phoenix,
loved by her schoolmates and by her neighbors and
associates.
The Funeral
September 6, 1901
The funeral of Mrs. Jennie Kirtz Conger who was burned to
death on Wednesday afternoon took place yesterday from the
residence of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. W.F. Fickas who live
on the Tempe Road. The brief services were conducted by
Rev. Frank Mayo and Rev. C.V. Cowan. The pall bearers
were L.L. Plank, G.B. Crouch, George Alkire, Arthur G.
Hulett and Marshall Armstrong. Mr. B.A. Fickas, an
uncle of Mrs. Conger was at Iron Springs with his family
at the time of the tragedy. He received a telegram a
few minutes before train time and hurriedly prepared to
return. Mrs. Fickas could not get ready for the journey
in time to accompany him. Mrs. Conger's last words to
those with her were "Don't grieve for me, I will be better
off where I'm going."
CAROLINE CONNELLY
November 8, 1901
Mrs. Caroline Connelly, wife of Frank Connelly, died in
this city at 7 o'clock yesterday morning of a lingering
illness of consumption. Her funeral will take place at
8 o'clock this morning from the Catholic Church and the
remains will be interred in the Catholic Cemetery east of
the city. Dr. Tewksbury, H. Goodman, L.T. Mansfield, John
Sullivan, Peter Regholz and A.E. Hinton will be the pall-
bearers.
Mr. and Mrs. Connelly came to Phoenix about a year ago,
having traveled extensively throughout the west in the
hope of obtaining relief for Mrs. Connelly. There was
no real improvement in her condition at any time,
notwithstanding the most devoted care by her husband.
She was able to be driven about the streets daily until
a week ago. She was 23 years of age and was a native of
Wisconsin, as was her husband. Mr. Connelly who was
joined by his sister, Miss Mary Connelly, will remain
in Phoenix.
A.E. CONVERSE
February 1, 1901
Probate Court Notice
In the matter of the estate of A.E. Converse deceased.
Order to show cause why order of sale of real estate
should not be made. Appearing to this court by the
petition this day presented and filed by Arthur J.
Edwards, administrator on the estate of A.E. Converse,
deceased that it is necessary to sell the whole of
some portion of the real estate of the decedent to
pay debts of decedent and expenses and charges of
administration. J.H. Langston
GEORGE F. COATS
July 13, 1901
A telegram was received in Phoenix yesterday from Los
Angeles announcing the death the day before of George
F. Coats. His remains will be brought here for burial
and the funeral will take place next Monday afternoon
under the direction of the G.A. R. News of his death
was heard with general regret for he had been one of
Phoenix' pioneers and one of its most active and valued
citizens.
Mr. Coats was fifty seven years of age and a native of
Iowa. He came to Phoenix in 1880 as the representative
of Woodhead and Gay of Los Angeles. Before that he had
represented the same firm at Yuma. He was an earnest
republican when there were very few here and took an
active part in politics. He was elected mayor of the
city in 1889, defeating so popular a man as John R.
Loosely by a very small majority. He was made a member
of the territorial world's fair commission and was
elected resident commissioner. Soon after his return
from Chicago in the fall of 1893 he moved to Los
Angeles where he resided until the time of his death.
In a financial way he was very successful. He acquired
considerable Phoenix real estate and at the time of his
death owned fifty feet frontage on Washington Street on
the east side of Wall, extending to Commercial. He
leaves a wife and one daughter, Mrs. L.H. Chalmers of
this city. Mr. and Mrs. Chalmers are now on the coast.
Funeral, July 15, 1901
The funeral of George F. Coats will take place at 6
o'clock this evening from the undertaking rooms of
Mohn and Easterling. All soldiers of the Civil War
residing in the city are requested to attend.
J.R. COOK
November 1, 1901
Mr. J.R. Cook died at his residence in the eastern part of
Mesa at 8 o'clock Tuesday evening of consumption. Mr. Cook
and his wife came to Mesa about a month ago and purchased
the place where he died, in the vain hope that the climate
would at least prolong his life, but in spite of all that
could be done he passed away. Shortly before his death his
wife too sick also and the Woodman's Circle took charge of
the body and it was sent to his old home in Texas. Mrs.
Cook is quite ill and as soon as she recovers she will be
leaving to her former home in Texas.
SAMUEL COOK
May 2, 1901
Mr. Samuel Cook, one of the oldest residents of this
city, died yesterday morning between 9 and 10 o'clock
at his home on East Adams Street between Fourth and
Fifth Streets. He was ill for some time and though
he lived alone he has been cared for by a number of
friends in whom he placed confidence and who provided
suitable nurses for him. His death resulted from the
wearing out of the machinery of his body, as he was
well advanced in years, being about 76 and has
suffered considerably from chronic ailments.
Mr. Cook was rather an eccentric character and while
he had few intimates none new him but to respect him.
He was an unusually pious man, being devoted to the
spread of the gospel as he interpreted it. He was
for many years a consistent member of the Free Methodist
Church though some time ago he devoted his labors more
particularly to the uplifting of mankind through the
methods employed by the Salvation Army.
Just when he came to Phoenix could not be learned
yesterday though it was ascertained that he bought
the three lots he owned on Adams Street in 1878
paying $35 for them. He had no relatives that he
knew of, thought some time ago he made a will
which he placed in the keeping of Justice G.D.
Gray and which as yet has not been opened. Mr.
Gray having visited him frequently and being one
of his most intimate friends, when he heard of his
death immediately called at the house and made a
search for valuables, as it was known that he
usually kept a quantity of money on hand. Nothing
of especial value was found except $215 in cash
which Mr. Gray took charge of.
The remains were removed to the undertaking parlors
of A.J. Bradley where the funeral will be held this
afternoon at 2 o'clock.
