Memorials › Archibald "Archie" Irvine

Archibald "Archie" Irvine

Nov 1856 – Jun 1906

BirthNov 1856
DeathJun 1906
FaGhttps://www.findagrave.com/memorial/93741008

Bio

Emigrants Murdered - For the past three weeks the officers of Sweetwater and Carbon counties have been working on what is supposed to have been one of the most horible murders ever committed in this section. Two bodies, one of a man and the other of a boy about twenty years of age, have already been found, and the officers are now trying to locate the other members of the party. About a month ago a party of emigrants were seen at different places along the railroad in this county, and it is supposed that one of the men murdered all the members of the party to obtain possession of the teams and wagons. The first intimation that there had been a crime committed, was the finding of a bullet riddled waggon and a team of hobbled horses near Hanna, about three weeks ago. On investigation, the officers took the back trail and discovered a light buggy, minus the team, near Gilmore station. Last Wednesday the decomposed body of a dead man was found within a mile of Creston station and about two hundred yards from the railroad track. Coroner Muir of this city was notified, and upon investigation found that the man had come to his death as the result of gun shot wounds received at the hands of unknown parties. Two wounds were found, one on the right side from a 45 caliber rifle, and a shot gun wound in the face which is supposed to have been made to destroy the possibility of identifying the dead man. On Sunday the dead body of a twenty-year old boy was found about two hundred yards from where the body of the man was found. The body was found entirely exposed to the rays of the sun, but instead of showing signs of decomposition, the atmospheric conditions had caused it to shrivel up so that it did not weigh more than fifteen or twenty pounds. A gaping shotgun wound was found in the back of the neck, which caused instant death. The body was located about two hundred yards from where the man's body was found, by the authorities following a dog which belonged to the party, and which had been keeping a two weeks vigil over the silent bodies of his friends. The bodies were taken to Rawlins where they were identified as those of Mr. Archie Irvine and his son Thomas, of Cestos, Okla., who were returning to their southern home after a long visit in Baker city, Oregon, where the family had gone for the benefit of the mother who is a sufferer from consumption. The mother was unable to withstand the severe overland trip and returned by rail, thus escaping the fate of her husband and son. The last heard from the parties was on June 7th, when Mr. Irvine wrote from Point of Rocks to his wife in Oklahoma, and it is supposed that they met their fate at Creston within three weeks of that date. It is the theory of the officers that Irvine and his son were the victims of a party of robbers who had gained their confidence on the supposition that they had a large sum of money, and after the deed had been committed they became frightened and abandoned the wagons and teams and took the train at Hanna. -- From the Rock Springs Miner Mr. Archie Irvine was a brother of James, George, Henry and John Irvine of this county, but was not very well known here, as he had been living in Idaho most of the time for the last 30 years. The last time he was here is about 23 years ago. He was the youngest of the family, being about 47 years at the time of his untimely death. His father is still living in this county and is 93 or 94 years old. Mr. George Irvine received a letter from Geo. Harris, sheriff of Sweetwater county, but very little was said in it more than what the above article in the "Miner" stated. We wrote to coroner Muir Monday for any additional information he might be able to give, but so far have had no answer from him. The Dannebrog News, Jauly 27, 1906, page 4, transcribed by Linda Berney ----- Archie is found in the 1900 census working as a gold miner in Teller County, Colorado. His wife Ella and son Thomas were living in Woodward County, Oklahoma.

Photos

Family

Parents

Spouse

Siblings

Children

Export GEDCOM

This person only · Entire connected family