S.S. Patterson
May 13, 1897
Arizona Silver Belt

News was received here last Sunday, that S.S. Patterson, a well 
known gentleman, had committed suicide by cutting his throat at 
the home of George E. Shute on Upper Salt River.  The particulars 
of the tragedy and the incidents leading up to it were told to us 
by Mr. Shute and J.H. Baker who had been with Paterson on a 
cattle drive to Phoenix.

Soon after leaving Phoenix on the return trip Patterson became 
taciturn but little notice was taken of his mood until the next 
morning when he showed unmistakable signs of insanity. He 
declared that his companions wanted to hang him and he attempted 
to take his six shooter from the pack but was anticipated by 
one of the party who got the gun and kept it.  Patterson 
animousity seemed directed against Shute who he wanted to fight.

A close watch was kept on hin from that time and the party 
pushed on as rapidly as possible hoping that he would become 
more rational when they got into Tonto Basin and his 
suspicions would be allayed as they drew near home. Mr. 
Baker occsionally gave him whiskey.  Patterson appeared 
to be doubtful whether it was all right, fearing that he 
was being doped but he drank the whiskey.

The third night the party, with the exception of Shute, stopped 
at Bud Armer's Ranch (the old Tebbs' place) on the Upper Salt 
River.  Shute pushed on home the same night.  Patterson slept 
well and got up the next morning before any of the others and 
cooked breakfast. He seemed more rational than at any time 
during the journey and Baker believing he would give no further 
trouble secretely returned the pistol to the pack and with Bud 
Armer went out to hunt horses.

Patterson improved the opportunity to escape and having found 
the pistol he struck out toward the river and continued up 
stream through the weeds bordering the channel for about a 
mile before returning to the road.  He went to Dellinger's 
Ranch and asked for something to eat, and when food was 
given him he went out into the brush and ate it.  Mr. Shute 
who had been notified of his escape found him at Dlelinger's 
and got the pistol away from him and persuaded him to go 
home with him.

Shortly after midnight the Shute family was aroused by calls 
proceeding from Petterson's room and on entering Mr. Shute 
found Patterson lying on the bed with blood rushing from his 
throat.  He died at 4 o'clock Sunday morning. He retained 
consciousness almost to the last and talked with Mr. Shute, 
giving instructions in regard to some business matters.  
The deceased was a native of Illinois, 37 years of age.  
For the past eight years he has lived on Coon Creek, in 
this county, having charge of cattle belonging to J.H.W. 
Jensen of Phoenix.


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