George Woods, Man of Three Names (? - 1892) - Unidentified Canal Laborer

Bing AI/Val Prompt

In 1892, The Arizona Republic posted an article about the mysterious death of a man on January 27 at the Pioneer Hotel who was known by three different names: George Woods, George Wiley, and George Willis. He had checked into the Pioneer Hotel in Phoenix, Arizona, under the name George Woods about a week before his death, paying for a week’s stay in advance. Employed by the Arizona Canal Company, he stated that he had been working on the company's dam and had been feeling ill after being exposed to waist-deep water for several days during his work. He spent much of his time at the hotel, primarily in the lobby and barroom, where his health visibly deteriorated.

Initially treated for a bad cold and fever, his condition worsened, progressing into what was thought to be "la grippe" or influenza. On his last night, he had a simple supper of milk toast and tea before retiring to his room, where he was found dead the following morning. Undertakers Randal and Davis were called to handle his body, and it was noted that he had enough funds coming from his employment to cover the cost of his burial.

A search of his belongings revealed a variety of documents identifying him under different names, with no clear indication of his permanent residence. Among the papers was a letter from Farrington, signed by “your sister Carrie Leighton,” which was one of the few personal connections found. An anonymous man who contacted the hotel stated that the deceased had a wife and three children in Farrington but refused to disclose his own identity.

The various documents found included correspondence with different dates and locations:

• One letter to “George Wiley Esq” mentioned $100 sent to him by G.P. Reynolds
• Another letter from the acting president of the Postal Telegraph Company instructed the Southern Pacific Railroad to hand over certain freights to Willis
• Other letters dated back to 1887 and identified Wiley’s employment with the Mackay-Bennett Cable Company in San Francisco
• Another document recommended him as a capable and reliable worker from his time at the Mutual Telegraph Company
• There was also a letter indicating past financial issues with Wells Fargo in Visalia, California, in 1889

Additionally, several other items were found among his possessions, including a printed card listing fire alarm box locations in Oakland, California; the Constitution of the Grand Council of Order of the Fraternal Argonaut from San Francisco; and various business cards and memos linked to names and addresses in Oakland and San Francisco.

The Arizona Canal Company, where he had been employed for four months, described him as sober and industrious but knew nothing of his personal life. Attempts to reach contacts in Farrington, Illinois, via telegram went unanswered. His funeral was scheduled for the next day at 2 p.m., but many questions about his true identity and personal history remained unanswered. He is buried in City/Loosley.

-Val (Resource: Arizona Republic, January 28, 1892)