Celia Peterson Cox was the daughter of Charles Peterson,
born in Denmark and her mother was Erwitine Poppin or Poplin born in
Germany. Celia was born in Phoenix about 4 July 1902 and died near
Casa Grande 5 May 1926.
Celia was living in a remote area outside Casa Grande with her two
daughters and husband. Her husband
had just left to get supplies in town and was due to be gone for a
couple of days. He had told Celia that if there were any problems
to fire off some rounds with the rifle and maybe help would come.
Evan Cox, a Native American, left and shortly afterwards Celia was bitten by
a rattlesnake. She fired off some rounds from the rifle but no one
came. Her leg was swelling bad and turning purple so she tried to
lance the wound and in doing so cut an artery. Knowing that she
was dying and that the babies would starve or die miserably, she
compassionately killed them.
Doris Addie Cox was born in Phoenix. She was 3
months, 27 days old when she died.
Dorothy Elizabeth Cox was 2 years, 9 months and 6 days
old at the time of her death.
Then Celia shot herself. Evan returned home earlier than planned
and found the home literally covered in blood.
Celia and the girls were buried in Phoenix.
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