A fire destroyed a home so quickly that the families lost all of their possessions.
From the Arizona Daily Star, June 27, 1916:
So. Fifth Avenue Home Destroyed By Fire
Flames Spread So Rapidly Occupants Lost Household Goods
Fire of unknown origin that gutted the double brick residence on South Fifth avenue opposite the Safford school yesterday afternoon at 2:20 o’clock, caused damage estimated at more than $2,000.
The north side of the house was occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Frank Dwyer, and the south side by Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Darnell and their sins, Marion and Ed. The house furnishings of both families were destroyed, and the aggregate loss of the household goods of both is estimated to $1000. The damage to the house is estimated at $1000, which was partly covered by insurance. the house is owned by E. P. Drew.
The fire started at the back porch and burned so rapidly that persons in the house were not aware that anything was wrong. When they were roused the flames had enveloped the roof and were starting on the front porch. The alarm was given and the department made a fast run but was unable to stop the flames.
The brick walls are undamaged and it is understood that the residence will be rebuilt as soon as possible. A motorcycle owned by Ed Darnell was destroyed by the fire. Marion and Ed Darnell and also Mr. Dwyer are employed by the Arizona Eastern railroad.
People are also reading…
We would hardly call an attempted suicide a comic opera, but it does appear in the following article that the man who claimed he wanted to end it all didn't have his heart in the attempt.
Deputy Montgomery Hero in Comic Opera Attempt at Suicide
Man Tired of Life Leads Officer Chase Over Sentinel Peak
Deputy Sheriff Montgomery figures as the “hero” in a comic opera suicide attempt Saturday afternoon. A Mexican, whose name the deputy refused to make public, left a note saying that he intended to end his life because his wife would not live with him, and the note said that his body would be found on Sentinel Peak. The missive was turned over to the deputy, who made a hurried trip to the mountain west of the city.
A little scouting revealed the whereabouts of the unhappy benedict, equipped with a pistol with which to end his life. The deputy called upon to halt and to desist in his fell purpose of filling himself with lead. With ample time in which to carry out his purpose, the Mexican, instead of turning the weapon on himself, took to his heels and led the deputy a merry chase over the mountain side, up one arroyo and down another, scaling precipitate walls, jumping boulders. The Mexican seemed to dear Deputy Montgomery more than he did death, for while he held the pistol cautiously to prevent it from going off, he did not stop his wild chase until the fleet-footed deputy collared him from behind and took the pistol from him.
It is an offense against the laws of the state to attempt to commit suicide, but no charge has been placed against the Mexican, it being apparent that he had no well-developed intention of ending his life. His spectacular attempt may have the effect of causing his wife to believe that without him her life is a bauble, and if it ends in a reunited family Deputy Montgomery will, perhaps, be willing to call it square.
