James Beecher ^{1 2 3 4}

   FamilySearch ID: L67B-L2Y.

  Noted events in his life were:

1. Census in 1860 in Valley Twp., Chester, PA. ² Cyrus Beecher, 33, occupation heator, is living with Emmeline, 29; Clara, 9; Sarah, 7; and James, 4. Everyone was born in Pennsylvania. The post office is Coatesville.

2. Census in 1870 in Valley Twp., Chester, PA. ⁷ The 1870 census recorded Cyrus Beecher, works in rolling mill, 44, living with wife Emaline, 40; Clara V., 19; Sallie, 17; James, works in rolling mill, 13; Walter, 9; Mary, 6; and Lewis, 4. Everyone was born in Pennsylvania. The post office was Penningtonville.

3. Census in 1880 in South Chester, Delaware, PA. ⁵ Cyrus Beacher, occupation "heater in rolling mill", 53, is living with his children: Sallie, 26; Mary, 16; Lewis, 14; Oliver, 7, and James, soldier, 23. Everyone and their parents were born in Pennsylvania.

4. Moved: since James' occupation in 1880 census was "soldier" he likely was stationed at Fort Bayard, near Santa Clara formerly Central City. See http://newmexicohistory.org/places/fort-bayard, 1883, Santa Clara, Santa Clara, CA. ³

5. Cause of Death: James Beecher was shot last Saturday night by Tug Wilson at Central., 28 Feb 1885, Silver City, Grant, NM. ⁸

6. Newspaper: The Enterprise: James Beecher Shot by a Soldier Known as "Tug" Wilson at Central City, 6 Mar 1885, Silver City, Grant, NM. ¹ Another Killing

James Beecher Shot by a Soldier Known as "Tug" Wilson at Central City

News of the killing of James Beecher by a private solider named Wilson belonging to G troop of the 6th cavalry was brought in here from Central City on Sunday morning last. The occurrence took place in front of the saloon run by Beecher & Woods at that place, and the reports are very conflicting as to the true particulars. Beecher, who was constable of the place, was on a spree and during the evening is said to have violently assaulted four different persons.

The facts as near as can be ascertained after a careful inquiry into the case are briefly as follows: A crowd were in the saloon of which Beecher was an owner, tripping the light fantastic to the strains of the ordinary baile music and guzzling that peculiar brand of sheepherders delight, known only to Central City, during the evening, and many partook in such copious quantities as to unfit them to enter a skating rink. Several petty quarrels and altercations were indulged in by Beecher and others, and later on a remark was made by a worthless character and hanger-on of the place with reference to the respectability of Beecher's wife. This aggravated Beecher to such an extent that he bounced upon the man, known as Dave, and beat him unmercifully, when Wilson interfered, and Beecher with the ferocity of a tiger turned upon Wilson, striking at him with his revolver, which he had used in his onslaught upon the previous man. Wilson avoided the blow aimed at him by Beecher and grappled with him for the revolver. The men gradually worked their way toward the door and out into the street, where it is believed that Wilson succeeded in wrestling the revolver from Beecher's hand, and shot him twice. Either shot would have proved fatal as they went through the abdomen and breast. An eye witness testified that Wilson started to run and fired a third shot, but this is doubted even by Beecher's friends.

Beecher has lived in Central City several years, at one time was a soldier. His army record is said to have been bad, he having been convicted of an assault with intent to kill and sentenced to a year imprisonment at Leavenworth. He has on several occasions since his residence in Central City been in trouble. He was generally feared when drinking and looked upon as a bad man.

7. His death is recorded in the 1885 New Mexico census. Census in Apr 1885 in Silver City, Grant, NM. ³ The 1885 census recorded the death of Beecher, Jas., age 26, born in Pennsylvania as were his parents, laborer. Died in April, 1885 of "stab". Was resident of the county for 2 years.

8. Newspaper: Delaware County Daily Times: Death of James Beecher, 23 Apr 1885, Chester, Delaware, PA. ⁴ IN AND ABOUT SOUTH CHESTER.
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Lewis Beecher, a young main employed in Freshley's barber shop, had a brother killed at Fort Bayard, New Mexico, on the first of March, but the family were only apprised of the facts a few days ago. James Beecher was his name and he has been away from the borough for about nine years, during which he traveled a great deal, but lately settled down at Fort Bayard, where he was elected constable and was serving in that capacity when he was shot by a soldier named Daniel W. Wilson. No further particulars have been received by the family but the justice of the peace at that place promised to send all the facts in a few days.

James married Luciana Baldonada, daughter of Cartarino Baldonada and Rosita Esperza, about 1883 in , Grant, NM. (Luciana Baldonada was born on 24 Jun 1859 in , , Chihuahua, MEX,⁹ died on 21 Apr 1941 in Central City, Grant, NM ^{9 10} and was buried in Santa Clara: Central Cemetery, Grant, NM.)