The mother called in vain for her young son. Then she searched the ground floor, the first story, the second, and the attic—all in vain. Finally, she climbed to the trap door in the roof, pushed it open, and cried:
"John Henry, are you out there?"
An answer came clearly:
"No, mother. Have you looked in the cellar?"
Members enjoyed a nice day eating ice Cream and playing Bingo at the house. Many had a great time looking through their prize bags after winning bingo! The weather has finally started to cool and it was the first day of Autumn! Thanks to our wonderful members. We couldn't do it without you!
Arrange 15 matches like this:
Remove 6, and what number will be left?
2oth Century Puzzle Book, 1919
Like many people, I like to wander through second hand stores. That is where I was in Prescott when I found several old photographs stamped Phoenix, Arizona Territory. Some of them had writing on the back, but many did not.
The more I dug through the photos, the more I recognized the surnames. The most important find was of a baby, John Albert Lutgerding. He died in 1881 and is buried in the IOOF cemetery at Pioneer Military and Memorial Park. I continued through the photos and left with a fist full, much to the dismay of my husband. He had patiently wandered around while I stood trying to decide what I was going to take with me. Each one was marked $2.00 to $5.00 so the cost added up quickly.
When I got my find home, I began researching the names. I also started going through on-line historical biographies of Arizona. Some provided photographs that were useful. It became apparent that the majority of the photos were from the Linvilles and extended families.
The Linville family were early pioneers of Phoenix. A section of Phoenix from Central to 7th Street, Jackson to Buckeye is called the Linville Addition. Two brothers, Hiram and Alexander came to Phoenix and the Cave Creek area around 1876. Although I am not sure if we have a photo of Hiram, I do have others related to his extended family.
One of those photos is of James D. Monihon. James married Hiram’s daughter Josephine Linville. The photo shows a very distinguished looking James in a Phoenix Fire Department uniform. James, too, came to early Phoenix with his brothers and became quite influential.
A week after I began my research of these photos, an email was received by the Pioneers’ Cemetery Association. It was from a descendant of Hiram Linville. She and her mother were coming to Phoenix to do some family research. They also had a family photo album with unidentified photos. I began to wonder what the chances were that I would find photos and now the family is making contact.
When we did meet at the Smurthwaite House, many of their photos did not match what I had. However, others did, and it was obvious we both had photos of the Linvilles, Lutgerdings and Monihon families. The search to identify the other photos has continued and others have been identified.
Call it kismet, luck or some divine intervention, but finding the photos and the connection with the family makes what we do worthwhile. How the photographs came to Prescott has not been determined, and attempts to contact the seller have not been successful. (this story ran in our December 2018 newsletter, by Patty G)
Two bodies have I,
Though both joined in oneThe stiller I stand,The faster I run.
Ida was born in Denmark April 1853 and arrived in the United States in 1865. We do not know what circumstances brought Ida to Arizona, or who her first husband was. One can only guess since her circumstances seemed to have led her to a life of conflict and drink.
Mrs. Ida Bailey came to attention when she was charged along with Fred Steffans with ―mutually maligning each other and the employment of language which is not admissible to mail bags‖ on April 2, 1893.
Soon after that incident, she married Joseph P. Murray, a blacksmith, on April 23, Witnesses to this marriage were Frankie Hill and H.C. King. Frankie Hill (aka Minnie Drum) was a known madam in Phoenix. At the time of their marriage, they were both described as elderly. She was 40 years old and Joseph was 57 years old. The paper reported that they were off to the World’s Fair on honeymoon. Joseph was in Graham County, Arizona by 1896 and it does not appear Ida was with him. Joseph had been in Arizona since his discharge from service after the Civil War. He was admitted to Sawtelle Disabled Veterans’ Home on February 3, 1899 and died January 29, 1906. When he was admitted, he declared that he was single.
Shortly after her marriage, Ida was living behind the Central Hotel in Phoenix. The hotel was located on the north side of Washington Street between 1st and 2nd Streets. The alleys behind the hotel were known for all sorts of criminal behavior, the main problem being prostitution. On June 23, 1893, Ida was involved in a dispute with neighbor Annie Marchand, and tried to fire a shot at her with a handgun.
Annie complained to Marshall Blankenship and Ida was arrested and fined. The dispute only escalated. Ida, upset with Annie’s complaint to the police and, inspired by whiskey and morphine‖, complained to the police that Annie had been calling her names reflecting on her chastity and general good nature. When police investigated that complaint, it was found that Ida was the problem, and again, she and companion Jose Maria Maldanado were arrested. Ida posted bond, and four hours later, on July 1, 1893, a fire swept the residences in the alley behind the Central Hotel. The fire was so intense that it threatened the hotel. It was learned that Ida had moved all her belongings out of her residence prior to the fire. Annie lost her belongings including $1000 in cash and a piano. Ida Murray and companion Jose Maria Maldanado were briefly held as suspects in the arson.
The stories about Ida don't end here. Come to the PMMP to learn more about Ida and her many adventures! - Patty
