RUPERT HIGHTOWER
Arizona Republican Newspaper
April 3, 1909

Rupert Hightower of Yuma, died this morning at 1:55 o'clock at 
the sisters hospital, having never regained consciousness since 
being found in his room on Wednesday in convulsions. He was a 
member of the late legislature from Yuma County and was highly 
regarded by the Yuma people.  There is something most unusual 
and most pitiful in connection with the case for his death was 
due in great measure to an overindulgence to liquor, a habit to 
which he had not been greatly addicted until recently. It is 
said that he was known as a very temperate young man, a hard 
working carpenter and contractor and highly esteemed.  Even 
during the campaign last fall, he was known to indulge but 
little in intoxicants. However, as soon as he was elected he 
began to drink to excess and did so until thrown into the 
state of collapse in which he was found the other day.

He has lived on the frontier for years, coming to this country 
from Oklahoma. It was not the temptations of a new country that 
seemed to allure him, for he had withstood them without 
weakening it would appear, until recently, and since then he 
seemed purposely trying to throw himself away.   His brother 
from Yuma arrived yesterday. No arrangements have yet been 
made for the  funeral.  The deceased was about 28 or 30 years 
old.