Statewide County AZ Archives Obituaries.....Atherton, S.T. 1909
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Elizabeth Burns burns@asu.edu and D. Joshua Taylor http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00006.html#0001358 July 4, 2005, 4:21 pm

Arizona Republican-Feb. 1909
Almost at the same hour her mother, Mrs. Fannie Morgan was married 
in Phoenix Friday evening to J.B. Cram, Mrs. S.T. Atherton, 
formerly Miss Emma Morgan, was accidentally killed in Clifton 
in some manner the details of which are not yet learned in 
Phoenix.  The body will be brought to Phoenix by Mr. Atherton, 
arriving here Monday morning. It will be taken to the Merryman 
parlors and the funeral will be held Tuesday forenoon at 10, a 
half-brother, Charles George, who is at Parker, being unable to 
get here before Monday night.  The funeral will be held under 
the auspices of the Rebekah lodge.

All that is known concerning the death of Mrs. Atherton is 
contained in two telegrams received yesterday.  The first came 
about 9 o'clock to Mrs. Atherton's mother and was as follows: 
"Emma was killed by accident here last night.  Will start for 
Phoenix tomorrow morning--Sewell T. Atherton."

The second message came to Mr. Cram last evening and was as 
follows: "Please have all arrangements made.  Will arrive there 
Monday. Will leave Sunday at 7:30, arrive there at 7:30 Monday 
morning.  S.T. Atherton."

Mr. Atherton was formerly employed by the Phoenix post office 
and was married only a few years ago, the family having lived 
in Clifton for the last three years, where Mr. Atherton has 
been employed at the smelter. Besides her other relatives, 
Mrs. Atherton is survived by a child about two years old.  
Mrs. Cram lived with her daughter in Clifton for about a year 
and a half, returning here some time ago.

Concerning the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Cram, it was in itself 
an unusual event, through its simplicity and the quiet way in 
which it was effected, completely surprising both her own 
friends and relatives. Mr. Cram and Mrs. Morgan and a brother 
and sister of the latter all started to the theater together 
Friday evening.  Arriving at the corner of Second Avenue and 
Washington Street, Mr. Cram announced that he had to step in 
and see Judge P.P. Parker a moment and invited the others to 
accompany him, as it was warmer in the office than to wait on 
the street.  As soon as they entered, he produced the marriage 
license to the surprise of the brother and sister of Mrs. 
Morgan and in a few minutes the ceremony was made official.

More on Mrs. Atherton
Feb. 23, 1909

S.T. Atherton arrived here yesterday morning from Clifton, 
accompanied by his three year old daughter, and the body of 
his wife, whose death on Friday night has already been announced.  
The announcement that death was accidental was erroneous, though 
it was in conformity with a telegram sent by Mr. Atherton to Mrs. 
Atherton's mother, whom he did not wish to apprise that the 
incident was suicide until he could reach here and tell her 
all the facts.

Mrs. Atherton shot herself with a 38 revolver, during a momentary 
attack of insanity due to frequent and severe headaches of which 
she had suffered. No other reason has been discovered for her 
act and so far as Mr. Atherton knows she had never threatened 
such a step nor had she ever disclosed any particular unhappiness 
that might be expected to cause her to harbor such thoughts. 
She had said that she did not like to live in Clifton but 
circumstances did not warrant their moving for a time and 
other than that Mr. Atherton says that if she had any particular 
unhappiness he was not aware of it.

The circumstances of the deed were most tragic and left no doubt 
as to the facts of the deed itself. Miss Etta Morrell, well known 
in Phoenix and a cousin of Mrs. Atherton was living with the 
family in Clifton. Mr. Atherton who is employed at the smelter, 
works from 3-11 pm.  Mrs. Atherton had been suffering on Friday 
with one of the nervous headaches and as was her custom, after 
the noonday meal she laid down on the bed for a time to rest.  
Shortly before going to work Mr. Atherton told her that he would 
go and get a headache remedy if she wanted it but she said she 
felt better and it would not be necessary.

A little after 7 o'clock in the evening, Mrs. Atherton came out 
of the bedroom, having in her hand the revolver which she had 
taken from a till in a trunk in the bedroom.  Speaking to her 
cousin she said, "Etta be good to Frances" meaning her little 
daughter. Miss Morrell divining her purpose instantly seized 
the hand with the weapon in it and managed to disarm her. Mrs. 
Atherton being a much larger and stronger woman, immediately 
grabbed her cousin and after a little scuffle managed to 
secure the revolver again and rushing out on the back porch 
fired a single but fatal shot.  The bullet passed through the 
head.  The weapon could not have been held close, as there 
were no powder burns. Mrs. Atherton fell and became instantly 
unconscious, thought she did not die until about 10 that night.

Mr. Atherton who was at the smelter, was immediately notified 
that a woman had been shot at his home, though he did not know 
who until he arrived there.

The inquest was held Saturday afternoon and he left Clifton 
Sunday morning without learning the verdict of the jury.  The 
funeral will be this morning at 10 in the undertaking parlors 
of G.F. Merryman.  

Mrs. Atherton was 25 years old and was born and raised in 
Illinois.  She came to Phoenix about six years ago and was 
married four years ago.

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