SAM STINSLER
May 8, 1914
Yuma Sentinel

Sunday morning some Indians, in crossing the big slough west of 
Fort Yuma by the long trestle, saw a dead man lying near the 
end of the trestle.  They at once notified the Indian police 
who carried the report to Agent Odle.  Word was sent to the 
Coroner of Imperial Valley by long distance telephone and he 
arrived at Fort Yuma during the following night.  The body 
was guarded by Indian police and yesterday morning the inquest 
was held.

Letters found in the dead man's pockets, showed that his name 
was Sam Stinsler, and his appearance indicated that he was 
about 35 years of age. He had come to Yuma four or five days 
previous and had stopped at the Cliff House on Madison Avenue. 
He had stated to several that he was ill from lung trouble 
and had come to Yuma for the benefit of his health.  from 
the letters found on him and from statements made by him 
it was learned that he had stopped a while in Silverton, 
Colorado and to Bisbee, but finding no benefit to his 
health had come on to Yuma.

Early Sunday morning he went to the drainage pump near the 
long trestle and the engineer of the pumps noticed that he 
appeared to be uneasy or worried. When he left the pump he 
walked toward the southeast end of the trestle, where the 
body was afterwards found.

He placed the muzzle of a pistol to the back of his head and 
fired, killing himself instantly.

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