Samuel Pritchard

Samuel Pritchard was shot and instantly killed by Constable William Fleming at Oreana in 1892. Pritchard was 35 years old and left behind a wife and two young boys. The sad death and the causes leading up to it were reported in the local paper. 

Mr. Pritchard, a deputy US Marshal, has been in Boise for some months attending to his official duties, returned to Oreana last Monday evening for a short visit at home with his wife and children. He appeared moody and down-hearted, the reverse of his usual disposition, and intimated that financial matters were troubling him and that he wished he was dead. He also drank quite heavily, something unusual for him, and the next morning was completely out of his head. He took his rifle and began shooting at the pictures hanging on the walls of his home, frightening his family and neighbors, and barely missing household members with his reckless shooting. His father-in-law, Mr. Ulrich, alarmed for the safety of this family, tried to secure an arrest warrant, thinking locking him up for a short time would restore his senses. After Ulrich left the house on this errand, Mr. Pritchard mixed some kind of acid with a flask of whiskey and drank the contents informing his wife what he had done and telling her he had but a few moments to live. After swallowing the drug, he pulled off his boots, put on an overcoat (his wife taking a loaded pistol from the pocket unknown to him) and left the house, going toward the residence of Mr. Hyde.

Meanwhile Ulrich had failed to procure a warrant but notified Constable Fleming of Pritchard’s conduct and ordered his arrest, telling Fleming to “look out, as Sam was ugly and armed.” Fleming rode up to Pritchard and called to him to raise his hands as he was there to arrest him. Pritchard reached in his overcoat pocket, as for a gun, with the remark that “no son of a beep can arrest me,” and Constable Fleming, warned that he was armed and bent on mischief and well knowing he was a quick and “dead shot” fearful for his own safety, shot three times, one bullet striking near the collarbone, one in the chest, and the third in the stomach, any one of which would have proved fatal. The unfortunate man stood erect until he received the third bullet, and as he fell he seemed to come to his right senses saying “Bill, I’m gone.” He expired immediately. Examination showed he was not armed, as Mrs. Pritchard had removed the revolver. A coroner’s inquest exonerated Fleming. The newspaper report states that Fleming and Pritchard were “the best of friends” and Fleming regretted the hasty action, but he acted based on the warning he received. 

The funeral took place with Masonic honors and was attended by a large circle of friends and acquaintances, for he was known all over the county. Mrs. Pritchard was not able to come, having been terribly shocked by his death and at times completely out of her mind. 

Samuel came to Salem Oregon from Iowa in 1877. He was there for a year before coming to Owyhee County. He married Miss Minnie Ulrich, of Oreana, in 1884 and two bright boys Ralph and Lionel, aged five and seven at the time of their father’s death, had blessed their union. His married life was pleasant and their home adjoined his father-in-law’s ranch. About three years before his untimely death, he was elected assessor of the county and since that time has taken an active part in the political affairs of the state, being a Deputy US Marshal and secretary of the Republican State Central Committee. He loved his friends and hated his enemies and being of quick temperament, was feared while under the influence of liquor. His success in politics seems to have led to his ruin, for having assumed obligations he could not meet, the fact preyed on his mind and led to his deplorable death. Good hearted, loved and respected by the people of the whole county, his sad and untimely end, while in the prime of manhood, is felt and regretted by all.

May his sleep be peaceful.