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
No comments:
Post a Comment