By Fr. Jack Wolter

In 1868, the General Convention of the Episcopal Church U.S.A. elected the Right Reverend Ozi William Whitaker as Bishop of the Territories of Nevada and Arizona. Twelve years later, he reported that the number of congregations increased from three to ten, served by seven clergymen. Early records show that there were a number of Episcopalians at the U.S. Army post at Fort Whipple who desired the ministrations of the church and would attend occasional services of Holy Communion or Evening Prayer conducted by itinerant Episcopal clergymen at the Baptist Meeting House in Prescott.

By Dr. Ted Finkelston and Edited by Kathy Krause

(Originally written by Dr. Ted Finkelston and published in two parts on November 12 & 19, 2005.  The following article was condensed and edited by Kathy Krause.)

World War I was raging in Europe when the Selective Service Act of 1917 required all men 21-30 years of age to register for the "Draft." In 1918, it was expanded to all men 18-45. Local draft boards were appointed throughout the U. S. and the eligible men registered at their voting precincts and received numbered draft cards. A lottery conducted in Washington D.C. periodically determined the men chosen from each locality for induction into the U. S. Army.

By Ken Edwards and Richard Gorby

(Editor’s Note: The “Horribles,” a group of fun-loving Prescott men, had fantastic, outlandish costumes and put on hilarious literary and musical presentations. Their performances were greatly anticipated each Fourth of July on the Plaza. The following is a continuation of their antics as presented previously in Days Past articles by Ken Edwards and Richard Gorby.)

By Ken Edwards and Richard Gorby

(Editor’s Note: One usually connects costumes with Halloween. But, back in the late 1800s, a group of Prescott men called the “Horribles” dressed up in elaborate costumes and entertained the people of Prescott. They found that the July 4th parade was a perfect venue for their antics. They were a smashing success from their first appearance in 1881. Their costumes were innovative and handmade, putting most of today’s Halloween costumes to shame. The following represents combined, previously published Days Past articles by Ken Edwards and Richard Gorby.)

By Tom Collins

The 16th Territorial Governor, Joseph H. Kibbey, kicked off the 24th Territorial Legislature in 1907 by demanding the abolishment of gambling which he viewed not only as a public evil but also an impediment to statehood for Arizona. He knew he had to improve the territory’s wild reputation before that goal could be accomplished. Two members of the Territorial Council (the upper house) followed Kibbey’s lead by introducing anti-gambling bills.

By Tom Collins

For over four decades (1864-1907) Prescott was a gambler’s paradise. The numerous saloons on Whiskey Row offered not only plenty of liquor, good food and musical entertainment, but also games of faro, poker, keno and the inevitable slot machines.

By Parker Anderson

In 1889, Father Alfred Quetu, pictured last week, came to Prescott to take over Sacred Heart Parish. This would become a turning point for the church in Prescott, as Father Quetu did more to strengthen the local church than any of his predecessors had done.

By Parker Anderson

It is believed that the first Catholic priest to pass through the area that later became Prescott was Father Francisco Garces, of the San Xavier del Bac Mission in Tucson, circa 1776, on his way to minister to the Hopi Indians. Nearly 100 years later, in 1863, tradition holds that Santa Fe Archbishop Lamy celebrated a Christmas Eve Mass with the regiments at Fort Whipple.

By Judy Riggenbach

One of the most notable and respected women of Prescott, Viola Jimulla, was the first Chieftess of the Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe. She led the tribe for 26 years.

By Marjory J. Sente

Education has been a priority for the citizens of Prescott for a very long time. One of Prescott’s first public buildings was a log cabin schoolhouse, a replica of which is located on the grounds of Sharlot Hall Museum. St. Joseph’s Academy and the Prescott Free Academy were both established in the 1870s.