Sarah “Sally” Ann (Shivers) Fisher Goldwater was born in Schell City, Vernon County, Missouri, on June 10, 1859, and came to Chino Valley, Yavapai County, Arizona Territory in 1867 with her parents, David Wesley and Sarah J. (Roberts) Shivers, making their way overland by covered wagon.

Serilda Alwilda (Miller) Cartter was born March 13, 1854, in Princeville, Peoria County, Illinois, the daughter of Jacob Leroy (1830-1899) and Jane Maria (Reeves) Miller of Illinois. Jacob and his brother Sam had come to the Prescott area of Yavapai County, Arizona Territory, with the Walker Party in May 1863, along with their father John. Jacob had long before left his wife and three children behind in Illinois, where Jane later remarried. Sam built the two-story family home in what later came to be known as Miller Valley.

By Dave Lewis

Most writings about Ellsworth and Emery Kolb -- Grand Canyon pioneers -- blare the headline:  “THE KOLB BROTHERS.”  True enough, the two famous brothers were the stars of the show, but Emery’s wife Blanche warrants more than an honorable mention for her behind-the-scenes contributions to managing the family business and running a busy household while the boys were away, as they often were.
 

By Ray Carlson

The Pima Villages were an oasis for southern Arizona in the 1850s.  Thanks to irrigation developed over 1200 years, they had water and ample crops, and the Akimel O’odham [formerly called Pima] had a reputation for being reliable and peaceful.  That peacefulness, though, required being treated with respect.  In the 1850s, the Piipaash [formerly called Maricopa] moved near the Akimel O’odham in order to get protection from traditional enemies.  Three hundred Yuma warriors and allies attacked a Piipaash village and set it on fire.  A distress signal to the Akimel O’odham brought several warriors.

By Ray Carlson

When one considers people who warranted recognition for their role in the Civil War in Arizona, George Washington Bowie jumps out.  He became commander of the Union forces for the District of Arizona on January 29, 1864. The fort built at Apache Pass was named to honor him, and before being mustered out Bowie was breveted a Brigadier General.

Sharlot Hall Award Recipient 2016

Nancy fell in love with Arizona and its history as a young adult, even though she was born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee. Armed with a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts from the University of Minnesota, and being of an adventurous mind and spirit, she headed for the west coast with a friend in 1947.

By Mick Woodcock

In Part 1, last week, we began the story of Russian immigrants, referred to in the newspapers as Molokans, but who called themselves, according to an article in the August 10, 1917 Prescott Journal-Miner, “Holy-Jumpers” or Spiritual Christian Pryguny (the proper Russian term) and disavowed being Molokans.  These were the men whose religious beliefs kept them from registering for military service.  This week we resume the story as the men are reporting to the Federal Court in Phoenix to face the consequences.

By Mick Woodcock

On May 18, 1917, as the United States geared up to go to war in Europe, President Wilson signed the Selective Service Act, which required young men to register for possible military service.  Some men — for a variety of reasons — resisted.  Among them were the Molokans living in the area of Glendale, Arizona. They were a Christian group who had fled Russia to avoid religious persecution. The Molokans were from a sect known as “Jumpers” for their jumping and leaping during worship.
 

By Joe Webster

How many of us played “cowboys and Indians” when we were young?  Did we love the western movies when we could tell the good guys from the bad guys?  I suspect that many of us couldn’t wait for the next installment of the Lone Ranger serial.  The western movie was a staple of movie making since the later part of the 19^th century.  It continues even today.
 

By Murray Smolens

Granite City. Goodwin. Audubon. Gimletville. Azatlan. Long-forgotten Arizona ghost towns? Actually, without the determination of first territorial secretary Richard McCormick and his supporters, one of these could have been of the name of the first territorial capital. Instead, the town was named for a now-obscure 19^th-century historian who never visited the area.