I often regret that I didn't record or write things down after I heard them through the years. I am going to relay this story with the best of my memory.
Our grandfather had a heart attack and died very suddenly in February of 1949. He was in Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico at the time of his death. Going to Agua Prieta, in those days, was like going to the grocery store is for us today. It is so close to Douglas and it was very easy to cross back and forth between the border.
Teresa told me that she went with Percy Bowden, the Police Chief of Douglas, over the Agua Prieta as soon as they heard about it.
During that time, priests and nuns were not allowed to wear their religious "garb" in public. It was my understanding that a Mexican priest gave our grandfather the last rites and that the Federales looked the other way while it was being done.
I know from growing up in Douglas that sometimes it was hard to get a body back across the border if a person died there who was a U. S. citizen. I can only assume that because of the connections our grandfather had, there were no problems. If there had been, I am sure I would have heard that story.
I remember Teresa saying ho difficult it was to hear the police radio when they were going to Agua Prieta.
As I have said before, I am trying to remember things as accurately as I can. If anyone has a different memory or something additional to share, please let me know.
I found the death certificate that came from the American Consulate. Here are the pictures of it.
I found the death certificate that came from the American Consulate. Here are the pictures of it.
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