Arizona weekly journal-miner., 1895-01-23
raE DEArn oF gAMEs nAmILroN.
oIreum.tanees of the oauses which
 Led tO ft.

"A
 Meysrs brought the rem ins of the
 lata James Hamilton to Prescott
 for burial, We learn the full par
 ticulars as related by the survivors
 of the recent horror which over took
 the stage near Stanton. The stage
 from Wickenburg to Yarnell, via
 the Congress, was four hours behind
 time when if reached the fatal crossing on Partridge creek about a quarter of mile below Stanton,
 Tuesday evening, owing to tho
 heavy rain that had been falling al day. Mir. Hamilton after leaving Congress asked to drive tho team if the regular driver would chang seats. a. he wished to have the
 benefit Of an easy ride from the
 front springs on the vehicle in
 preference to tha joltiug so custom
 ary on the hi8d end oi these vehicles. After darkness set in many streams were crossed, aBd as MT. Hamilton was very familiar with the various gulches along that route, they were all crossed without mlshap. On arriving at the Partridge creek crossing. the deafening roar of that stream vas so plainly heard that Mr George and Mr. Finney, (the regular driyer) asked Mr. Hamilton Co not attempt to cross it. but he answered that he knew that creek and did not think there was over lS inches of water running in 1t, although the size o the same could not be discerned owing to the dark ness.
 The grade is very steep as it leads to the bottom and no sooner had the horses reached the water when thov turned naturally down the stream. This movement of the animals also turned the wagon to right angles when it was struck by the main body of water, the wheel giving away and precipitating the four occupants to tho water. Not a word was said by either of the four after the water was struck, and a seconds time only had elapsed from the timo the horses entered the water until the accident occurred. The water was running like a mill race. Mir Finney was carried about To yards down and landing against a mound of dirt managed to scram- bls to the top Of the bank. Mir. George was carried still further and grasping an ocstea cactus limb that was projecting into the stream near the bank. cried for help and manag- ing 10 gain q foothold pulled himself out. The drummer was the last to get out and says that several times he gained a foothold only to be washed away agaiu.
 After reaching dry ground, the driver pulled his six shooter aud it SIX times, which at traoied the attention of peopls at Stanton. The horses shortly after wards rushed iu tO Stanton, when half q dozen men made for the crossing. The three survivors could not utter word for several minutes afterwards, their powers of articula- ton being entirely gone for the time. All three of the survivors landed on the same side of the stream and on the opposite side from Stanton. The roar of the water was so great that not word could be heard between the two parties, ou either side of the stream, although they were not over fifty feet apart. Communication was established by means If writing on paper and placing such in oyster cans loaded with rocks. and throw ias it over aud back. 1t was then ladrasd that Mr. Hamilton was on boasd. aud had not been seen since the accident. The rescued were directed to the cabin of Mir. Part ridge, where they were fed and sheltered for the night. Search was then inaugurated for MT. Hamilton, but aii efforts were ab Andoasd. after two miles of groapd had been covered, until the next morning. When daylight came the three survivors were brought across the stream by means of horses aud ropes. Search was then resumed for Mr. Hamilton and at 2 o'clock his remains were found about four miles below on an island where the stream had de- vided into t.go ekannels. His neck was bfoken, while his head and face also bore many bruises and cuts.
 The water at the crossing where the accident occurred, was about , fe st deep at the tina the stage eulesed il, the banks on the right ald iefl being precipitous also.
 After tha finding of Mir. Hamil- tons body, it was taken to Yarnell. where an inquest was held and then to his hons in Peoples valley. Friday night Mir. Smith brought the body to Prescott, aud in order to reach this city it required six horse team to make the trip, owing to the heavy roads. In crossing Kirkland creek, Mir. Smith says he was inired for over two hours, and it was with the greatest diff tuify he reached Prescott.
 Mrs. Hamilton could not accom- pany the remains of her husband from Peoples valley, bcing entirely prostrated over hIs death. The funeral took place in this city yes terday under the auspices of the Masons, and the remains were laid to rest in the cemetry of that order. ,--.--.------.-.--s.------ ----------.-------..--=--s