Weekly journal-miner., 1921-02-23
TOM SIMMONS STURDY PIONEER
 CALLEDBYDEATH
From Wednesdav,s Dailvl


 One of Arizonas oldest and most adventurous pioneers passed away when T. w, Simmons died at the Pioneers Home, at 6:3O o'clock last night at the age of s years. The last hours of the aged pioneer were quiet, and he was unconscious prior 10 his death. His wife and several of his children were present.
 Born June %, 1836, in Tommy Hawk Creek, Arkansas, Thomas Wilson Simmons first came to this state in 1864, accompanied by his parents, MT. and Mrs. John w. Sim mons. He settled with his family in his city, where he lived until his death yesterday. He was admitted to the Pioneers Home on September 9 of last year.
 Between 1S66 and 1868 he was scout for General Crook, whose bat ties against the Indians in this coun- try are a matter of history. In 1870 he was captain of an oX-train, and in that year made a trip into Texas, when ce he returned with his bride.
 Among the many adventures Sim mons had in the early days i'll Ari- zona was a battle, single-handed, against band of Indians. Warned by his mother not to take the cattle out to water alone, he nevertheless did so one day in 1865. As the cattle were drinking, they began to stir and became uneasy, shifting the air. He realized they scented In dians, and put himself on his guard. Then, looking through the branches of juniper tree, he saw all Indian, and guessed that others were near.
 He was armed with muzzle-load- ing rifle, and two cap and ball pis- tols. He fired at the Indian, who topplcd over,. and then jumped be- hind the juniper tree Other Indians began to crawl up on him, and sight ing one, ne fired. When the savage fell, Simmons discovered that he had killed two with one shot, another having been behind the first.
 Presently his weapons were all un- loaded, and he got in among the cattle, who were becoming excited and scared. Protected by the herd, Simmons loaded his revolvers and fired back at the Indians as the cattle, more and more frightened, circled around him. Part of the time he was holding onto one of the ami mals to keep ub with the herd and the protection they offered him.
 Then, realizing his position, he made good his escape through the herd, whom he left to the Indians They, having got what they wanted, fell back, and Simmons escaped.
 Meanwhile, a Mrs. Sanders, living nearby, had heard the shots, and started toward the scene of the fight with a shotgun. Then she turned back and made for Fort Whipplc, which bordered on the scene of the. fight. Some men driving a load of hay stopped at her signal, and un- hitching a horse started to Simmons aid The sound of the firing had also reused Simmons father, who came running. By this time the In dians had dispersed, and Simmons father stood on a rock waving his hat. His son answered him with a wave of the hand, from where he was laying hidden in the grass.
 Upon examination of the scene of the fight, it was found that Simmons had killed seven of his attackers. The cattle had dispersed and were found at Granite Dells, near what Is now the Bianconi ranch.
 During his years in Arizona, Sim mons at various times held several offices. He was deputy sheriff under old Joe Walker county assessor under Tim Lowry, at the time when Coconino county was part of Yavapai, and was once coroner.
 He leaves nine children two of whom, T. J. Simmons, and Mrs. Maggie Deering, live n this city. Mrs. Simmons has lived in San Der nardino for the past eight months, but is at present in Prescott Many grandchildren and great-grandchil- dren live ill various parts of the state. Simmons was ranchcr most of his life, and one of Prcscott'S finest and staunchest citizens.