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Prescott, Arizona Territory
January 15th 1867
W.P. Jones. Esqr..
Dear Sir/Brother
I visited Dr. J..T.. Alsap a few days since and he shoed me a letter that he
received from you in regard to W..P.. Jones Death who was your son I was
acquainted with him long before he went back to the States in Sixty two he
likewise sought me out when he returned in Sixty three I was then living in
Aurora. Esmerelda. Nevada. territory in the fall of that year we started together
the Gold Fields of Arizona arriving here in late November where we mined until
March 28th when we started on a prostpecing tour further out on the frontier
where we found nothing but Hostile Indians we returned again on the 25th of
April we commenced Placer Mining then in Lynx Creek where I was shot by the
Indians then your son went to Big Bug District where I joined him the latter part
of May on June 1st there was large party going to prospect for Placer Mines to
the White Mountains and as we were partners he agreed for me to go out
prospecting and he stay home he accompanied me as far as Woolsey’s Ranch
where he received some seven or eight letters bid me goodby and started home
reading his letters
as he rode along when about half way the Indians that were watching the
prospecting killed him not more than three miles from where I was It was then
some two months until I heard of his death I immediately returned back but could
do nothing on account of Indian troubles in regard to having him taken up and
buried near town at that time there was no graveyard and men were generally
buried where they fell I felt more like losing a brother than anything else for for I
loved him more than I thought I was capable of loving anyone We lived together
at different times for nearly three years as partners at the time of his death there
was no Quartz Mines discovered and all W.P Jones.. had was a few placer
Claims and they were jumped and worked out before my return he had some
very good Mining Property in Aurora, Nevada Territory when he started to this
country and if that Mining Camp turns out well I will see to his intrust and Forward
you the proceeds Mining Camps is generally carried up and down by
excitement and the men who follow Mining are here today and off tomorrow out
of a Party who started from Aurora when your Son died of fourteen men I am the
only one alive today. they were all killed by the Indians.
Masonice W..P..Jones at the time of his death was a member of
Esmeralda.Lodge.Aurora. now the state of Nevada the charter for the lodge at
this place is on the road and will arrive here in a few days when he will be taken
up and buried with Masonic Honors I expect to return to my home in New
Orleans Louisiana this coming summer and if possible I will call and see you and
give you all the information in my power if W.P. J. had lived he would be a bright
Star in this territory he was liked by everyone although like myself he
came from too far south to suit the Radical of the North if I ever make anything in
this territory I will see that his relatives have some of it like yourself I am Brother
Master Mason and the only one hear who knew your son to likewise. I traveled all
through the Samon River Country with him and he never deserted a friend in the
hour of trouble there is nothing more for me to write to you about I should have
written you at the time but there was no mail running at the time I was called
unexpectedly to the southern part of this territory and I left his letters with Dr J. T.
Alsap who sent them to Miss Kate Duval
Yours Respectfully&Fraternally
Joseph C. Lennon
