Humphrey Symons

GOLD HILL EVENING NEWS

July 22, 1879

A BRUTAL MURDER

Humphrey Symons, one of the regular policemen of Gold Hill, was foully murdered last evening while in the discharge of his duty. Officer Symons heard a desperate domestic fracas going on inside of a house, where one Pritchard and a woman were living, and on entering was shot down by Pritchard, who, after the victim lay upon the floor, shot him through the head again and again in the malicious vindictiveness of his drunken soul. He even gloated afterwards in jail over the effectiveness of his butchery.

None but the man Pritchard and woman and her mother were witnesses of the murderous act; but it is an evident fact that the officer attempted no violent measures, for his pistol was not even drawn, but was found in his pocket afterward with no shot discharged. Outsiders heard three shots fired immediately after he entered, and those were three found in his head. The murderer held possession of the premises, and no one dared enter to even ascertain the fate of the officer. Even when the Town Marshal arrived at the scene and called upon the murderer to surrender, the fellow made an attempt to shoot but the Marshal was too quick for him, and shot him in the arm, disabling him.

The result is that Humphrey Symons, one of the best officers ever seen in this section, has been slaughtered in the prime of his manhood – killed in the discharge of his duty, and his wife and family most bitterly mourn the loss of a kind husband and father…

Tuesday July 22, 1879

BASE ASSASSINATION

…The deceased was 35 years of age, a native of Cornwall, England, and universally beloved and respected in this community. Gold Hill never had a more faithful, efficient officer. He was a member of Parker Lodge No.13, I.O.O.F., and the Miners’ Union, over which at one time he presided. He leaves a wife and one child, and Mrs. Symons is in daily expectation of giving birth to another.

Coroner Brodek will hold an inquest on the body of deceased at 10 a.m. tomorrow and his remains will be buried by his lodge and brethren of the Miner’s Union at 3:30 in the afternoon.

Plaque Location & Image

Center Wall Column 3 Row G     View The Plaque