Mohave County miner., 1894-04-07
Sad 0.am Of Wellington ssscs.,.

Last Thursday the town Of Kinvman
was startled by the arrival from the
White Hills Of John G. Potts With the
news Of the finding Of the dead body Of
Wellington Starkey At bis ranch at Grass
Springs. about eighty miles northeast Of
kingman. The particulars Of the death
are meagrs bit enough Is knoxn to
show that II was = premeiialed suicide
Mr. Sisrkey, like all humanity had his
faults and, his one great failing was love
OF drink and the gambling table. About
a week ago he left KiogmAn for his stock
ranch and having business in White Hills
he stopped there several days and drank
quite deeply ell the time. On the fourth
Of the month he went to his ranch and
was rather despondent over his in-
ability to stop drinking. Ho had two
men working some distance from the
house and after giving them orders in re-
gard TO the work went inside. A
short time after an Indian went into the
house and found the dead body OF Mr..
Starkev lying across the bed with shot
gun resting between his knees Beside
his body was letter he had written to
his wife aud children notifying
them that he was tired Of bat.
Ting with the drink hAoit aud fearful
that he would dissipAte the little store OF
of this worlds goods he had laid away
and 10 ve them penniless, he
would bring the unequal contest to a
close. He had removed his shoes and
seated himself on the edge OF his bed,
cooked a loaded shot gun and placed it
between his knees. Point ng the mug
zle OF the gun AT his head he pulled the
trigger with his toe. fhe charge tore
almost the whole top Of his head off and
death must have beea almost instanta.
eous. The oody was taken into White
Hills where an inquest was held and q
verdict in accordance with the above facts
vas rendered Ross Bakely took out
q coffin ard the body Was taken into
Kingman Friday morning.
Wellington Starkey was one Of those
generous, wholesouled men so often met
with in the western country. His Great
desire was to keep his family provided
with every comfort Of life and as he was
a great "rustler" succeeded bevond the
common lot OF nan. His only fault was
al appetite for liquor, although few peo-
". nave ever seen him under its infin.
ence TO any extent. The letter, written
by him TO his wife and family just before
he committed the last act in his life's
drama, is characteristic of the man. His
sole desire WAS TO leave his loved ones
well provided for and his one reason for
committing the rash act, WAS the fear
tn 1 hy his acts he would reduce them TO
poverty He leaves wife and four
children who are utterly prostrated by
the sad death OF husband and father.
The following is the last letter OF Mr..
Starkey to his wife and little ones:
GRASS SPRINGS, April 4, %
DEAR WIPE AND BABiKs:--I got home today,
Have been drunk ever since ! left Kingman
aad all OF the time was there. Now, / think
too much Of you and the children 10 spend all
OF the money that we have made. and can't
quit drinking aud gambling. so i think had
better do the best thing for you and my chill
dreu. Good by. From loving husband when
sober w. STAkkEf.
Mr.. Starkey was born in Alameda
county. forty years ago and vas MEM
ber of the SA Ia Ana Lodge, No. 236, |.
0. .. F., and he way buried under The
auspices Of the order. The funeral last
evening was the largest ever seen in
Kingman, people from all parts OF the
country being present.
The people Of the whole county extend
to the bereaved family their heartfelt
hy