Description

James Anderson "Jimmie" Vail (b.1861 - d.1906) was born in Ohio on January n27, 1861. He was the son of Peter Vail, born in Indiana in 1823 and Isabell, born in Ohio in 1833.

James arrived in Flagstaff, Arizona in 1882. He built and operated a saloon in Flagstaff for many years. He was a very successful cattle rancher. At the time of his death, he was one of the largest cattle owners in northern Arizona. He also owned sheep.

He married Mary Black on July 13, 1887 in Flagstaff. They had six children.

James had many friends and was a member of the legislature, board of supervisors and town council.

James shocked everyone when he committed suicide by gunshot to the head. The newspaper attributed it to his "temporary mental derangement brought on by worry over the injury to his leg about nine months ago". He had been thrown from a wagon and his right leg was crushed. Treatment was ineffective. He was in constant pain and feared amputation would be necessary.

Handwriting on photograph reads: "Jimmie Vail-mine near Prescott, about1880."

James died on April3, 1906 in Flagstaff. He was buried in the Odd Fellows section of Citizens Cemetery in Flagstaff.

Sources: Arizona Daily Sun 4-27-1877; Arizona Weekly Journal-Miner 7-4-1900;The Coconino Sun 4-7-1906, 9-18-1925; Arizona, Yavapai County, Voting Records 1888, 1890; findagrave.com; U.S. Census 1870; Arizona Marriages, 1865-1949.