PhxDT Report post Posted January 21, 2016 You guys see this? wow. AZ Republic Story On a hot day in August 1901, The Phoenix Gazette reported “the remains of John McCarty, the Fish and Game Commissioner, arrived from Flagstaff yesterday morning and were taken to the undertaking parlors of Merryman & Holley, where they were carefully examined by physicians for some of the insurance companies and by physicians, attorneys and other witnesses for the widow. The funeral took place at 5’clock from the undertaking parlors, and was conducted by the Masons. It was largely attended by the members of several fraternal organizations to which he belonged and his numerous friends in this city, where he has been a familiar figure for many years.” Wait. What is the rest of the story? What happened? Fearless hunter, Fish and Game commissioner? Insurance companies, attorneys, money, widow? It was because of his extensive knowledge of the Territory and wildlife that McCarty was appointed Fish and Game commissioner as there was little or no salary attached to the office. His continuous travels from one place to another allowed McCarty to look after the duties of the office as no other man could. Back in 1901, McCarty was known all over Colorado and Arizona as a collector of mountain lions, lynx, leopards, cats and many other kinds of wild animals for various Eastern institutions. His long time friend and partner was J.K. Day. Earlier in the year they received orders for a number of rare squirrels only found in the Mogollon Mountains and a party of men left at the end of May for the area. MORE LOCAL HISTORY How 36 Phoenix streets got their names Our historical photo collection Phoenix historical neighborhoods 7 historic Phoenix murders 17 historic schools in metro Phoenix See more Arizona history McCarty was last seen alive on June 6 when he left camp to hunt alone, and never returned. Before leaving Phoenix, McCarty had taken out a $10,000 life policy in the Manhattan Company, Fraternal Brotherhood, $2,000; Forresters, $5,000; A.O.U.W., $2,000; Woodmen, $3,000; and an accident insurance company $5,000, for a total of $27,000. Mrs. McCarty claimed her husband was dead and the insurance men cried fraud. After investigation, payment was refused on all policies and a suit begun on the part of the widow. McCarty’s friend, J.K. Day, vowed not to give up the search until the mystery of his friend’s disappearance was solved. On Aug, 19, in a box canyon, McCarty’s shotgun was found lying near the body with one-barrel burst. He had extracted nitro powder from six rifle shells and loaded two shotgun shells. It is probable one of these shells exploded when fired. The double-barreled shotgun was on exhibition at the Flagstaff city hall. For years after his burial in the Masonic Cemetery, there were rumors that John McCarty was still alive. Then came the constant retelling of a haunting story describing the decomposed, headless skeleton, exploded shotgun, horrific fight with a bear, long search for the body, coroner’s inquest, hasty funeral and burial — before the widow arrived from Dudleyville, and a court battle finally settled by the insurance companies with $27,000 paid to his widow. Is John McCarty really buried in an unmarked grave in Phoenix? Quite a story from a little town in the desert. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Matt Meyer Report post Posted January 21, 2016 Great and interesting story Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
azpredator@work Report post Posted January 21, 2016 Nice. Thanks for sharing Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
.270 Report post Posted January 21, 2016 Hey, don't start an interesting story and quit just went it gets good. Make somethin' up at least. Lark 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
