Weekly journal-miner. [volume] (Prescott, Ariz.) 1908-1929, 1914-11-18
DEPUTY RECORDER
KING KILLED IN
ACCIDENT
(From Sundays Daily


in Arizona. and one which shocked
the people of this city perhaps as
no other tragic happening has ever
shocked it before, was that which
occurred at the Larry Little ranch,
ten miles in the country yesterday
afternoon about four o'clock, when
w. T. King, chief deputy county
recorder under L. s. Colwell. met
instant death from the accidental
discharge of a hammerless shotgun
in his own hands.
And the feature of the accident
which multiplies its horrors and
fairly melts the hearts OF those who
contemplate it, is the fact that 1t
occurred in the midst OF happy
moment OF life and while the unfor-
tunate victim was seated beside his
wife and daughter in an automobile
after some hours on a hunting trip
ON one of the most beautiful days
nature ever brought forth for the
comfort and happiness of mankind.
Mr.. King. wife and daughter Mary
aged 10, had accompanied Mr.. and
Mrs. NJ. B. Hazeltine and family on
a hunting trip to the Larry Little
ranch. ten miles in the country
the party leaving Prescott after
noon yesterday in the Hazeltine car,
They had killed nothing and were
preparing to leave the ranch on the
return trip home. As they COM
menced to seat themselves in the
car Mr.. Hazeltine suggested that
they remove the load from tho
shotgun which Mr.. King had car
ried with him. Mr.. King said, mo"
l will carry the gun loaded-wo
NAV see a rabbit or quail on the
road" He was seated on the lett
side of the rear seat of the car
when he made the remark, his wifi
and daughter by his side. To make
room for one of Mr.. HaZeltine's
bows he said, 81 will set the gun
over here" and lifted it up with
his left hand. placing the butt some
what abruptly down on the outside
step of the car. The shock dis
charged the gun and the full charge
of heavy bird shot struck him below
the left ear, tearing the left side OF
his head practically from his body
laying bare the base of his brain
He died so instantly that he still
sat in the scat by his wife, holding
the gun in his hand. with death
grip until the members of the party
released his cold and fast stiffenine
fingers from the barrel.
1t seemed momentarily impossible
for those present to realize that
such a horrible tragedy had hap
pencd, and when it was realized nc
human tongue can depict the con-
stcrnation and horror which over
whelmed them Mrs. King became
so Frustrated with grief that it was
almost impossible for her to con
troll herself and the daughter all but
collapsed, while Mr.. and Mrs. Hazel
tine seemed converted into VERT
able to trance OF grief
DR.. Southworth and DR.. Yount
were called and as soon as they ar
rived pronounced the unfortunate
man dead. The body followed by
the sad-heartcd family and friends
was brought to Prescott and taker
TO the Ruffner undertaking estab
lishment, Judge McLane, acting d:
coroner, being summoned to hold
an inquest, which was done in the
evening. the verdict being that dc
ceased came to his death as thC
result OF an accidental gunshot
wound from a shotgun in his OWL
hands.
Was Old-Time Citizen.
Mr.. King came to Prescott some
fifteen years ago from MERGED, Cali
fornia. He came from California
for his health and since living in
the salubrious climate OF Prescott
had entirely regaincd it, being the
picture OF robust manhood for the
past number OF years. He went tc
California from Missouri, in which
state he had spent most of his liiC
being about forty-two years old
Mrs Kings home before becoming
the wife OF Mr. King was Vandalia
Missouri, where she was married tc
the one whose life was so sudden
ly ended yesterday Two daught
ers, Mary and Wilhelmina, were born
10 the union. the former OF whom
was with her parents when the &c
cident occurred, the latter being il
the California University at Bcrke
ley. When the family located here
Mir. King became a mail carrier