Amador ledger., 1906-06-08
SUDDEN DEATH.
j. B. Francis Dies in Argonaut
Office.

This community received shock
last Saturday by the sad news that
John B. Francis, superintendent of
the Argonaut mine had been found
dead in his office, near the hoisting
works on Kennedy hill about the
noon hour. lie had been in impaired
health for some time, but kept at his
post of duty.
On Saturday last he went to the
mine as usual, although feeling worse
than usual. He saw DR.. Phillips, his
physician, passing the mine, return
ing from professional visit to Sutter
Creek. He stopped him, and told
him he was feeling very bad. The
doctor told him to go home and rest;
that he was in no condition to be at
work. With that the doctor passed
on, Mr. Francis walked up the hill
from the mill to the Office near the
hoisting works, and sat down in his
chair in front of the desk. j. b.
Phelps, the assayer, who was in a
room adjoining, heard him come in.
A few minutes thereafter he heard a
noise as of someone falling. Presently
Geo. Troyan went to the office on
business, and found the superintend-
ent in the chair, with his head lying
on the desk. He spoke to him, but
he failed to respond. He took hold
of him, and still he paid no attention.
He then began to think there was
something wrong. Troyan- went into
assay utfice, and told Phelps of the
matter. The assayer then thought of
the noise he had heard only a few
minutes before, and instantly reached
the conclusion that it was caused by
Mr. Francis falling head tormost on
the desk. The two went to the Office,
and raised the superintendent head.
1t was then evident that he had pitch
ed heavily on the desk, as the marks
of the fall we're apparent on his
features. He was breathing or gasp
they could to relieve him, and sent
for the doctor, who fastened from
Jackson to the office. Before he
reached there, Mr. Francis had breath
ed his last.
The coroner held an inquest before
the body was removed, the jury find
ing that deceased came to his death
from natural causes, a stroke of
apoplexy. 1t had been noticed that
he had been failing for some time.
He was native of Cornwall, En-
gland, aged 65 years. He had been
superintendent for the Argonaut mine
for number of years. He also had
charge of the Amador Gold mine and
Weiland mine. He leaves a wife, one
son, John Francis, and two daughters,
Mrs j. Mushett and Alma Francis.
The funeral services we're held at
the residence on Broadway on Mon
day afternoon, Rev. VIM. Tuson
officiating. The mine and mill were
closed that day out of respect for the
dead superintendent.
Tuesday morning at I O'Clock
large body of miners who we're en-
ployed by the deceased escorted the
remains to the l. & Il. depot. A
large number of friends also in
carriages followed the cortege to the
depot. The wife of the deceased, Mrs
John Francis, Mr. and Mrs Mushett,
John Francis and EIma Francis, also
James Dye, Mr. and Mrs Nettle,
accompanied the remains to Grass
Valley, where the Master Masons on
Wednesday laid the body in the
beautiful Masonic cemetery along
side of son and daughter.
The deceased was a hard working
man, kind to his men, and was we'll
liked by all the miners. And wishing
to show their esteem for their de-
parted superintendent, they united
together and bought beautiful floral
piece called the "Gates Ajar,' which
cost some S35. 1t was sent on to
Grass Valley. Also very handsome
one was purchased by the mine owners
through Mr. Detert, and sent on to
the place of interment.