FRED RODGERS
August 17, 1905
Az Silver Belt

The decaying body of Fred Rodgers, mining partner of J.W. Gowan, 
engaged in prospecting claims northeast of Payson was found 
during the first week of August by an Indian on his way to 
Payson.  About August 1 Rodgers rode into Payson to secure 
camp supplies and departed after a day or two of spreeing in 
that town.  With him went half a dozen bottles of whiskey. On 
his way to the camp he stopped over night with Fred Hofschulte 
on the way to Payson. He departed early next morning with gun 
and supplies and that was the last ever seen of him alive.

His body was found stretched on a blanket under the shade of 
some trees in a canyon a short distance from the road where he 
had evidently made camp to lunch and rest.

On each corner of the blanket was a  bottle of whiskey, two 
with nickels on the corks and two with dimes.  A loaded 
cartridge was placed on end in front of each liquor bottle. 
He had so placed his gun that by putting his foot in a loop 
he could discharge the weapon, he then composed himself in 
an easy position and put his foot in the loop, firing the 
shotgun which literally blew away the top of his head.

On a flat rock nearby were letters directed to his partner, 
which he had read the night before at Hofschulte's weighted 
down with a small stone.

A coroner's jury was empanelled by Justice J.O. Hill and a 
verdict of suicide returned.

The deceased was an Englishmen about forty years of age.  He 
left no information or clue as to the reason of his deed. He 
had always been a heavy drinker since coming to that vicinity.


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