The Daring World of Submarine Mining in the 1800s

 

Bing AI

In the late 1800s, an innovative yet perilous approach to mining was developed in England and Wales: submarine mining. Miners began extending tunnels from the shoreline deep under the seabed to access coal deposits located offshore. This method allowed for the exploitation of coal seams that stretched beneath the ocean, opening new avenues for resource extraction that were previously thought inaccessible.

However, submarine mining came with significant risks. The tunnels, vulnerable to the ocean's pressure, posed severe hazards from flooding. Additionally, these underwater environments were prone to the accumulation of dangerous gases, increasing the risk of explosive methane gas incidents. Despite these dangers, the drive for industrial progress and the high demand for coal continued to push the boundaries of traditional mining techniques during this era.

-Val

 

 

Jerry Neville (1848-1900) - Mine Owner

PCA Archives

Based solely on GAR insignia on his grave marker, it is thought that Jerry Neville is the same person as the Canada-born Jerry Nevill who enlisted in the Union army at Dowagiac, Michigan, on December 22, 1863.  Although he swore that he was over 18 years old when he enlisted, the inscription on his grave marker suggests that he might have been younger.  

For a bounty of $300, he signed up to serve for three years and was assigned to Company D, 6^th Michigan Heavy Artillery.  He was discharged in New Orleans on August 20, 1865.  Thereafter, he seems to have gone into the mining business out West, perhaps logical given that he would have been familiar with gunpowder and explosives.

According to the federal census, Jerry Neville was in Silver City, New Mexico, in 1880.  However, he was also registered to vote in Pima County, Arizona.  He and his partner, Norman H. Chapin, operated in the southeastern part of the state, where they owned copper mines called The Pride of the West and The Smuggler near Harshaw, Arizona.

On October 3, 1891, Chapin married Maria Barron in Nogales, Arizona.  A little over five years later, Neville married Maria’s younger sister, Refugia Barron, recently arrived from Mexico, on May 2, 1897.  This made Chapin and Neville brothers-in-law as well as business partners.

The Nevilles had a son George, born July 15, 1899, in Los Angeles.  Possibly they had a daughter named Ygnacia as well, but she may have died young, as she does not appear in the censuses of 1900 or 1910.

By 1899, Jerry Neville had contracted phthisis (tuberculosis) and was no longer able to attend to his mines.  The Pride of the West was reportedly sold to Gee & Wilfley of Denver for $120,000.

Toward the end of 1899, Neville was staying at Washington Camp in Santa Cruz County when he took a turn for the worse and came to Phoenix for medical treatment.  He died on January 4, 1900, in Sisters Hospital in Phoenix and was buried in Rosedale Cemetery.

His brother-in-law, Norman H. Chapin, came to Phoenix to settle Neville’s business affairs, but only a few short weeks later, he was stricken with pneumonia and died on January 10, 1900.  He was buried in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Cemetery.

The 1900 federal census, conducted later that year, found the widowed sisters, Maria and Refugia, living together in Harshaw.  On August 29, 1901, Refugia remarried.  Her new husband, Oscar Keefe Franklin, then adopted little George and was named as his legal guardian.

There is no evidence that Jerry Neville ever received an invalid pension for his Civil War service or was a patient at the military hospital in Sawtelle, California.  Likewise, Refugia and her son George seem not to have applied for survivors pensions.  It has been conjectured that they were sufficiently well off not to need such benefits.

-Donna Carr

19th Century Mining Food - Bean with Bacon Soup

Bing AI

 

The availability of ingredients and cooking facilities in 19th-century mining camps varied significantly based on location, supply lines, and the wealth of the mining operation. However, there were some common staples and tools that were typically found at these camps:

• Dried Goods: Beans, rice, flour, and dried corn were staples due to their long shelf life and versatility.
• Meat: Salt pork and bacon were preferred for their ability to be stored for extended periods. 
• Baking Supplies: Flour, sugar, and lard were often available for making bread, biscuits, and simple desserts.
• Coffee and Tea: Essential for starting the day, coffee and tea were widely used.
• Spices and Seasonings: Salt, pepper, and a limited array of other spices and herbs.
  

Being said, here is a recipe for a hearty soup that would give the miners needed protein and carbohydrates for energy:

Bean with Bacon Soup

Ingredients:

2 cups dried beans (such as navy or pinto)

1/2 pound bacon, chopped

1 large onion, diced

6 cups water or broth

Salt and pepper to taste

Prepare the beans by rinsing and soaking them overnight in cold water. Drain and rinse again before cooking.  Cook the bacon over medium heat until it begins to render its fat. Add the diced onion and cook until the onion is translucent, and the bacon is crisp.

Add the drained beans to the pot with the bacon and onions. Pour in water or broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and cook until the beans are tender, about 1-2 hours. Season with salt and pepper.

-Val

 

 

We Want Your Feedback! - 2024

🌵📜 We want your feedback!  History beckons, and we want to hear from you! What secrets of Arizona's past or tales from the tombstones do you want see unearthed on our Facebook page and/or social media? 

Share your curiosities and help us preserve the echoes of yesteryear. Please answer two questions below in the comments section.  You can be anonymous.  You can also email us: pioneercem@yahoo.com.  let's dig into history together!🌟

1.  How do you know about the Pioneers' Cemetery Association and/or the Pioneer and Military Memorial Park?

2.  What would you like to see through our social media?  

Thanks for your support!

 

John McCasey (1819-1895) - Civil War Vet and Mining Engineer

PCA Archives

John McCasey was born between 1819 and 1825 in Ireland.  At some point, he immigrated to the United States and settled in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania.  He seems to have had a rather good education, enabling him to work as a machinist, mining engineer and metallurgist throughout his life.

At the outbreak of the Civil War, McCasey enlisted as a private in Company E, 8th Pennsylvania Infantry, on April 18, 1861.  He and Cornelia Connolly were married before a priest on June 4, 1861, in Scranton, Pennsylvania. 

McCasey was soon promoted to the rank of captain in Company K, 110th Pennsylvania Infantry.  However, he resigned his commission on July 29, 1861, stating that ill health made him unfit to perform his duties.  He returned home to recuperate, where his and Cornelia’s first child, William Francis, was born on August 12 of the following year.

McCasey reenlisted briefly on July 1, 1863, in Company B, 41st Pennsylvania Emergency Militia, an ad hoc unit raised to defend the state from the Confederate advance toward Gettysburg.  He was discharged on August 3, 1863.

Following the Civil War, McCasey found work as a machinist.  He and Cornelia, or Lillie as she was called, had eight children, although only four lived to adulthood.

The 1880 federal census of Jersey City, New Jersey, lists McCasey as a ‘silver miner’.  Shortly after his oldest son turned 21, McCasey moved to Arizona, while his wife Cornelia remained in Pennsylvania to raise the rest of their children.

McCasey found work as a mining engineer in the vicinity of the Harqua Hala Mine near Yuma.  In 1889, he wrote a detailed description of the ores and other minerals to be found there.  In 1891, he discovered a significant onyx deposit north of Cave Creek, Arizona.

John McCasey moved to Mesa, Arizona, and set up an assay office there in 1893.  After transferring his GAR membership to the John Wren Owen GAR Post, he filed for and received Invalid Pension #865,681. He seems to have lost touch with his friends back East, as his whereabouts were not known until one of his old Army companions tracked him down through the GAR.

McCasey died February 23, 1895, having been hospitalized for about three months with pulmonary tuberculosis.  He was buried in Porter Cemetery.

His widow Cornelia filed for and received a Civil War Widow’s pension, # 471,053.  She was living in the Bronx, New York City, when she died on June 29, 1919.

-Donna Carr

 

Have You Heard of Porter Cemetery?

 

A small tour of Porter Cemetery, one of our small pioneer cemeteries at the Pioneer and Military Memorial Park, Phoenix, Arizona!

Email us for our summer hours:  pioneercem@yahoo.com

Happy Father's Day!

 

Photos from Library of Congress

To our fathers now, and those who have gone before.  Happy Father's Day!

Honoring Valor: The Restoration of a Veteran's Grave Site

 

PCA Archives

Amer DeShane McGinnis was born around 1849 to John and Laura McGinnis.  He enlisted in the military in 1867 when he was a farmer at 21 1/2 years old, and participated in the Indian Wars, as a soldier in Company A, 32nd United States Infantry. He was discharged June 28, 1870.  He married Annie Pickering, the widow of William L. Pickering on November 27, 1890 at Vulture City, Arizona. William had died in Vulture City. He was the owner of a saloon there. Unfortunately, Annie died on July 23, 1891.

Later, Amer would be appointed as a U.S. Postmaster at Calderwood, Maricopa, Arizona on January 26, 1892. Amer died on November 8, 1905, and is buried next to his wife Annie in City Loosley. 

-Val

 

Recently, we were honored to have volunteers from the Travis Manion Foundation help with placement of a military marker for Amer McGinnis and a weed cleanup in our cemetery. The new marker was a replacement for the old one that had weathered to the point where the Amer's name was no longer visible. Veterans of the group joined together to place the marker, which weighs 220 pounds.  The mission of the TMF is to empower veterans and families of fallen heroes to develop character in future generations.  Thank you all.

-Patty

 

"Desert Ships": How Camels Helped the U.S. Army and Arizona Mining

Camel

Library of Congress LC-DIG-hec-29929

Camels were used in Arizona during the mid-19th century as part of an experimental initiative by the U.S. Army. This initiative, known as the U.S. 'Camel Corps', was established in the 1850s to test the viability of using camels for transportation and supply routes in the arid regions of the American Southwest, including Arizona.

The experiment began in 1856 when the U.S. government imported camels from the Middle East and North Africa. The camels proved to be well-suited for the harsh desert conditions, demonstrating their ability to carry heavy loads over long distances without needing much water. Despite their effectiveness, the outbreak of the Civil War and other logistical challenges led to the discontinuation of the Camel Corps by the late 1860s.

After the military disbanded the Camel Corps, many of the camels were sold to private owners, including those in the mining industry. Miners and prospectors found camels useful for hauling equipment and supplies across the rugged desert terrain of Arizona and nearby areas. However, as the use of railroads and other forms of transportation expanded, the reliance on camels gradually diminished. Some camels were released into the wild, and there were occasional sightings of feral camels in the southwestern United States for many years afterward.

-Val

Thomas A. Cochrane (1836-1894) - Prospector

Broderbund Clip Art

Thomas Augustus Cochrane was born in Canada around 1836 to parents who had immigrated to Canada from England.  In about 1838, his widowed mother brought Thomas and his older sister Mary Ann to Jacksonville, Morgan County, Illinois.

According to his obituary, Cochrane went to California in 1849 when he was only 13 years old.  He spent the rest of his life as a prospector and mining consultant.  He never married.

City directories, census returns and voter registrations record his travels throughout California and Arizona.  In 1864, he was a miner, living in San Francisco.  By 1870, he was a miner in Tuolumne, California.  He had moved to Pinal County, Arizona, by 1880.

Cochrane registered to vote in Maricopa County, Arizona, in 1886, although he continued to have business dealings in Globe.  By this time, he was well regarded as a mining man.

In June, 1890, Cochrane and his business partner Frank Kirkland were selling shares in a mining corporation with gold mines located near Harqua Hala.  One of the mines, the Golden Eagle, had been ‘jumped’ by M. H. Horn, and the partners along with Columbus Gray had to get an injunction to make Horn leave.

Cochrane returned from trip East in August 1890, after which he was planning to go to Baker City, Oregon, to superintend operations at a new mine there.  He was said to be a man of great skill and integrity.

Early in 1893, T. A. Cochrane made a prospecting trip into the Bradshaw Mountains.  In May, he was a member of the coroner’s jury convened to determine the cause of Tessie Murray’s (Letitia Rice’s) death.

Just a few days before his death, Cochrane was exhibiting a gold nugget the size of a hen’s egg, which he said was taken from a digging on the Hassayampa River north of Wickenburg.

Thomas A. Cochrane died in his room at a Phoenix boarding house on September 18, 1894, of what was almost certainly a heart attack.  Captain Calderwood took up a collection for his funeral expenses, which his sister in Illinois reimbursed shortly thereafter.  Cochrane was buried in City Loosley Cemetery, Block 16, Lot 7, Space N 1/3.

-Donna carr

Come Learn About The Pioneer and Military Memorial Park! - June 15th, 2024!

By Val

Our Pioneers' Cemetery Association historian will talk about our Pioneer and Military Memorial Park, and its unusual and historically significant 19th Century history at the North Mountain Visitor's Center! Hope you can join us!

Congratulations Cindy! - Museum Association of Arizona Individual Award of Excellence Winner 2024!

Picture by Val

Cindy Lee, our vice president of PCA, has been awarded the 2024 Individual Award of Excellence from the Museum Association of Arizona for her unwavering dedication to the historic preservation of pioneer cemeteries. Her passion for this cause is evident through her tireless efforts in recruiting and training volunteers in preservation techniques, as well as organizing and participating in the cleaning, masonry work, other preservation tasks as well. Her hands-on approach and hard work ensure that the rich legacy and memory of Arizona's pioneers are preserved for future generations. Congratulations Cindy!

 

Veins of Progress: 19th Century Mining

Mile Underground - The Wilson Mine, AZ 1903

Library of Congress

Mining in the 1800s was marked by rapid growth and dramatic changes, profoundly impacting societies and economies around the world. Here are some interesting facts about mining during this period.

• The 1800s saw several gold rushes that shaped entire regions and nations. The California Gold Rush (1848-1855) drew hundreds of thousands to the American West. Similarly, the Australian Gold Rushes started in 1851, and later, the Klondike Gold Rush in 1896 prompted a massive influx of prospectors to the Yukon in Northwestern Canada.

• Alongside gold, silver was a major driver of mining activity. The discovery of the Comstock Lode in Nevada in 1859, one of the richest silver mines in America, prompted a "silver rush" similar to the gold rushes of the era.

• The introduction of dynamite by Alfred Nobel in 1867 revolutionized rock blasting, greatly increasing the efficiency and scale of mining operations. The development of the steam engine also facilitated deeper mining through more effective pumping systems to remove water.

• The demand for coal soared during the 19th century, driven by its critical role as a fuel for steam engines in factories, railways, and ships. This led to the expansion of coal mining across Europe and America, with Britain, in particular, becoming a major coal producer.

• The 1800s were also a time when the environmental impact of mining began to be significantly felt. Large-scale deforestation, water pollution, and landscape alteration were common side effects of mining during this period, although environmental concerns were rarely addressed at the time.

• The harsh and dangerous conditions in mines led to the early formation of labor unions and strikes. Miners were among the first groups to organize themselves to improve their working conditions, leading to better safety regulations and labor laws in the later years.

These facets of mining in the 1800s illustrate not only the industry's evolution but also its ability to transform societies and landscapes wherever it took hold.

 -Val

Brief History of Mining

 

Miners at Work

Library of Congress

Mining has been a fundamental human activity since prehistoric times, with evidence of flint and stone quarried by ancient civilizations for tools and weapons. The practice evolved significantly with the advent of metals like copper and iron, marking the transition to the Bronze and Iron Ages. Throughout history, mining has propelled economic and technological advancements, influencing trade routes, empires, and cultural developments. In the Industrial Revolution, mining became industrialized, with coal and iron ore extraction driving massive changes in technology and society. Today, mining remains crucial but faces challenges regarding sustainability and environmental impact, reflecting a centuries-long legacy of extracting Earth's natural resources to meet human needs.

-Val

Georgia A. DeLoach Lewis (1872-1909) - Lineage on "Finding Your Roots"!

Bing AI

*Editor's Note:  This lineage was featured on Season 3, Episode 7, of finding your roots! 

Georgia was born on March 10, 1872, in Lancaster, Fairfield County, Ohio.   She was one of at least nine children of George W. DeLoach and Mary Stewart, African Americans.

She married Frank M. Hailstock on December 24, 1898, but he died only eight weeks later.  On the 1900 federal census of Ohio, Georgia was listed as a young widow, living in her parents' household.

Georgia married John Edward Lewis shortly thereafter.   John had been a Buffalo Soldier with the 10th Cavalry.   Their firstborn son was Frank Hailstock Lewis.  Both John and Georgia must have thought highly of Georgia’s deceased first husband to have named their son after him.  While in Ohio, Georgia and John also had a daughter Ruth, born in 1905.

The Lewis family moved to Phoenix because of Georgia’s health.  Her husband John became a well-known barber; he also ran a boxing gym.

Unfortunately, Georgia died on August 26, 1909, at the age of 37.  She was buried in Rosedale Cemetery, although her grave does not have a marker and its exact location is no longer known.

In 1912, John Edward Lewis married Mattie Drake in Norton, Yuma County, Arizona, and he and Mattie had several children together.  One was boxer Nathaniel Christy Lewis, biological grandfather of rap artist LL Cool J, as revealed in season 3, episode 7 of the popular TV series, “Finding Your Roots”.

John Edward Lewis died on July 17, 1947, and was buried in Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno, California.

-By Donna Carr

 

Robert E. Lee Brown (1865-1902) - Mining Engineer and Adventurer

PCA Archives

R. E. L. Brown may be one of the most unique characters in the Pioneer & Military Memorial Park, both for his colorful life--and the speed with which he was forgotten after his demise.

Born May 31, 1865, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Laurence and Martha Brown, he trained as a mining engineer, then went out west to locate promising mines.

In 1889, Brown was surveying potential mining claims in Washington state. During a violent labor strike in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, in 1892, he started a newspaper called The Barbarian, which took the side of the mine owners versus the unionized miners.  This earned him the nickname “Barbarian Brown”.  Threatened with death during the strike, he caused a cannon to be wheeled into the street outside his office.

Much as he enjoyed the furor his newspaper editorials provoked, Brown remained first and foremost a mining engineer.  He speculated in mines and was well regarded internationally for his expertise.  Seeking new adventures, Brown journeyed to South Africa in hopes of securing some promising claims during a land rush in Witfontein in 1895. Competition was fierce for the best claims, but Brown hit upon a method that could outrun the swiftest horse:  a heliograph!  He set up heliograph stations by which he could transmit confirmation almost instantaneously to his confederates in the field who were waiting to stake his claims.

On July 19, 1895, the day of the land rush, twelve thousand miners were gathered in Doornkoop to register their permits.  But Brown had devised a plan to ensure that he would be first in line.  A fan of American football, he recruited a group of rough men from local bars to form a “flying wedge” to cut through the crowd.  The ruse worked;  however, the Pretoria government initially refused to honor his claims.  Brown sued the Boer government and eventually won a huge judgment, the exact value of which has never been ascertained.

Having worn out his welcome in South Africa, the brash engineer returned to North America where, on September 26, 1898, he wed Maud Higgins in Victoria, British Columbia. 

Brown was in London in 1901 when he apparently contracted tuberculosis.  In late 1902, he traveled to Phoenix in a private train car with his wife, his personal physician and a nurse.  Unfortunately, he had left it too late; he died on October 3, 1902, scarcely a week after his arrival.   Despite his fame and fortune, his death rated only a few lines in the local newspaper, and he was buried under a simple wooden headboard in Rosedale Cemetery.  

One can only speculate as to why Brown’s remains were not shipped back East and why a more elaborate headstone was never erected over his grave.

-Donna Carr

 

Happy "602 Day" Phoenix!

Val Wilson

On June 2, Phoenix will be celebrating "602 Day" as part of its city celebrations or events. The number "602" is the original area code for Phoenix.  It was assigned the area code in 1947. This is an opportunity for residents to support local businesses or organizations.  For more information, visit www.602day.com.

 

Chicken Fricassee - A 19th Century Delight

Chicken Dinner Party

Library of Congress

"Chicken Fricassee" 

Ingredients:

1 whole chicken (about 3-4 pounds), cut into pieces

3 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 quart chicken broth

1 onion, chopped

1/2 cup celery, chopped

2 carrots, peeled and sliced

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

1 bay leaf

1/2 cup heavy cream

2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Juice of 1/2 lemon

Instructions:

Rinse the chicken pieces and pat them dry with paper towels. Season them with salt and pepper.  In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces and brown them on all sides. You may need to do this in batches. Once browned, remove the chicken from the pot and set aside. In the same pot, add the chopped onions, celery, and carrots. Cook over medium heat until the onions are translucent, and the vegetables start to soften, about 5-7 minutes.

Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir well to combine. Cook for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly, to cook off the raw flour taste. Return the chicken to the pot. Add the chicken broth, thyme, and bay leaf. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer, covered, until the chicken is tender, about 45 minutes.

Remove the bay leaf. Stir in the heavy cream and lemon juice, and heat through. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if necessary.

Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.

Serve this hearty dish with some homemade bread or biscuits to soak up the delicious sauce.

Michael Wormser (1827-1898) - Merchant and Land Baron

Arizona Jewish Historical Society

When Michael Wormser died in 1898, he was indisputably the largest landowner in Phoenix, Arizona, with 7435 acres.  However impressive his estate, it is debatable whether it brought him much pleasure.  Possessed of a dour and argumentative personality, Wormser’s psychological profile hints of a poverty-stricken, insecure childhood. 

Wormser was a Yiddish-speaking Jew born June 27, 1827, in Mittelbronn in the Alsace-Lorraine (now Moselle) region of France.  He came to the United States in 1850 to join his cousin Benjamin Block in San Luis Obispo, California.   After Block’s livery stable failed, Wormser moved to Arizona and went into business for himself.  In 1864, he opened the first general store in Prescott in an adobe building near the corner of Goodwin and Montezuma Streets. 

In 1873, Wormser acquired a store in Phoenix. However, he lost it in 1876 when the price of grain dropped suddenly and his customers’ outstanding bills became uncollectable.  Having acquired some land along the San Francisco Canal, Wormser had to resort to farming.

From his unsold store inventory, Wormser advanced seed, tools and provisions to his Hispanic neighbors along the canal.  He also encouraged them to gain legal title to their land.  Once they owned the land, it could be used as collateral to buy more supplies from “Don Miguel”, as they called him. 

The general consensus is that Wormser took advantage of his Spanish-speaking neighbors’ ignorance to get hold of their land, as they scarcely understood the contracts they had signed.  When they fell behind on their payments and eviction notices were served, they had no legal recourse.  In this way, Wormer managed to acquire ownership or control of about 9,000 acres of irrigable farmland along the Salt River in south Phoenix.

Wormer widened the San Francisco Canal and experimented with growing sugar beets.

As a major landowner, he was elected in November 1880 to a four-year term on the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors.  He used his position to obtain favorable tax breaks on his land.

1892 was the year of the Great Flood on the Salt River.  Since Wormser’s irrigation ditches had been washed out, he became a plaintiff in a landmark Arizona water case, Michael Wormsor et al. versus the Salt River Valley Canal Company, et al.  The case resulted in the Kibbey Decision which established the principle in Arizona that water belonged to the land, and that early users of water had priority over later users.   The verdict was a victory for Wormser, as he was one of the ‘early users’. 

Wormser died on April 25, 1898, and was initially buried in one of the city cemeteries, probably Loosley.  Charles Goldman, his executor, eventually valued his estate at $221,396, a considerable sum for 1900.  Since Wormser had intended to donate land for a Jewish cemetery, Goldman set aside a parcel at 35th Avenue and Jackson for that purpose.  Beth Israel Memorial Cemetery opened in 1903, whereupon Wormser’s body was exhumed and moved there.  The cemetery is still active today.

-By Donna L. Carr

 

 

 

Thank You for Coming! - Memorial Day 2024

Thank you for making our Memorial Day special at the Pioneer and Military Memorial Park!  We thank all of our visitors, military groups, and volunteers for joining us to honor those who served!

 

Pleas Hutchinson (1887-1941) - World War I Veteran

National Archive

Unidentified Soldier

Pleas Hutchinson, African American, was born on May 26, 1887, in or near Forrest City, Saint Francis County, Arkansas.  Forrest City was named for Nathan Bedford Forrest, Confederate general and founder of the Ku Klux Klan, but historically it has had an African American majority population.

Pleas was the son of Allen Hutchinson and his first wife, Viney Brandon.  After Viney died in 1894, Allen remarried a woman named Leanna Snipes.  Although Pleas was thirteen years old in 1900, he had had only about two years of schooling.

The federal census of 1910 found the Hutchinsons farming near Eufaula, Oklahoma.  Living next to the Hutchinson farm was a family named Perkins.  Pleas married Mamie Perkins in 1911.  By the time he registered for the World War I draft in 1917, Pleas was already the father of three children.

Although the shooting was over by the time Pleas joined the U.S. Army in December, 1918, the Treaty of Versailles was not signed until June, 1919, making Pleas a veteran of World War I.  During and after the war, racially-segregated African American units unloaded supplies from ships, cleared out trenches and buried the United States’s war dead.

By 1920, Pleas was at home again in Oklahoma, farming near his father and brothers.  However, in 1923, the family moved west to Phoenix, Arizona.  Pleas and Mamie were living at Buckeye Road and South 15th Avenue when they gave permission for their oldest daughter Olive (or Ollie) to marry in December 1927.  Just a month later, their two youngest daughters, Mildred and Zenolia, died of meningitis and polio respectively.  Both were buried in the nearby Maricopa County Cemetery.

Pleas was the owner of a small farm near South 15th Avenue in 1930, when the federal census listed his assets as $1000.  The Hutchinsons had three more children during the 1930s, but the Depression may have cost them their farm.  By 1940, Pleas was working for WPA, doing highway construction.

Late in 1940, Pleas suffered a stroke brought on by chronic hypertension.  He died on May 12, 1941, at his home at 1325 West Sinola Street, Phoenix, and was buried in the Maricopa County Cemetery, now known as Cementerio Lindo.  Although the exact location of his grave is not known, he has a cenotaph in the cemetery’s memorial garden.

-By Donna Carr

 

  

Memorial Day - Honor Those Who Have Served

 

Memorial Day - Puck Magazine

Library of Congress

Memorial Day, observed on the last Monday of May, is a solemn holiday in the United States dedicated to honoring and remembering the men and women who have died while serving in the U.S. military. Originally known as Decoration Day, it began after the Civil War, which claimed more lives than any conflict in U.S. history and necessitated the establishment of the country’s first national cemeteries. On this day, many Americans visit cemeteries and memorials to pay their respects, laying flowers and flags on the graves of the fallen. It is a day of reflection and gratitude, marked by parades, memorial speeches, and ceremonies that underscore the sacrifice of those who gave their lives for the freedoms enjoyed in the present day. Additionally, Memorial Day weekend also unofficially signifies the beginning of summer, with families often celebrating with picnics, sporting events, and family gatherings.

-Val

 

John Proops (1848-1896) - Baker, Miner, Firefighter

Bing AI

John Proops was born on January 17, 1848, in Bristol, England.  After the death of his mother in 1856, his father moved the family to Charles Dickens’ London.  Young John was apprenticed to a baker and, in 1867, he shipped out to Adelaide, Australia, as a baker.

Settled by English debtors and convicts in the 1700s, Australia was a wild ‘n wooly outpost of the British Empire.  From Adelaide on the southern coast, Proops walked to Melbourne, stopping to work at sheep and cattle stations along the way.  From there, he went to Ballarat, where the discovery of gold had sparked a gold rush similar to the 1849 one in California.  Later, Proops returned to Melbourne to work as a journeyman baker.

While in Melbourne, Proops met and married Hannah Franks on February 18, 1873.   Their daughter Rose was born in 1874.  Thereafter, Proops became the chief cook and baker at the Government Orphan Asylum at Randwick, near Sydney, where sons Harry and Charley were born.

In 1881, Proops moved his family to San Francisco and then to Tombstone, but misfortune dogged his steps.  Only ten days after arriving there, his son Charley died of gastric fever.  Proops opened a bakery in Tombstone, but it did not pay enough to support his family.  After two years, he gave it up and turned to hauling freight from Kingston to Globe until his team of horses was stolen.  Eventually, he found work at the new courthouse in Tombstone. 

In May 1887, Proops came to Phoenix in the course of delivering a load of furniture for Mr. B. A. Fickas from his house in Tombstone.  He found employment first as a porter at the Commercial Hotel and then as the janitor of the city hall and gardener of the adjacent plaza.

Proops was said to have borne his previous financial misfortunes with a light heart and cheerful disposition.  A sociable fellow, Proops joined the volunteer fire company, the Ancient Order of United Workmen (A.O.U.W.) and the Foresters.

It was in the performance of his duty as a firefighter that he contracted his final illness.  On Friday, December 29 or 30, 1895, the volunteer company was called to a fire on East Madison Street.  Thoroughly drenched by the hoses and going home in the morning cold, Proops took a chill that turned into pneumonia.  He succumbed on January 6, 1896.

On the day of Proops’s funeral, the fire house lowered its flag to half-mast.  His comrades from fire company, the Foresters and the Ancient Order of United Workmen turned out to bury him in Phoenix’s A.O.U.W. Cemetery.

And there he remained until his widow Hannah died in 1903.  She was one of the first to be buried in the newly-opened Beth Israel (Jewish) Cemetery at 35th Avenue and Van Buren, and their son Harry had his father’s remains moved there as well.

 -by donna carr

Memorial Day - Open House, Monday, May 27th

Hey there! Don't forget to come down on Memorial Day, Monday, May 27! See our famous "residents": Jacob Waltz, Thomas Graham, Darrell Duppa, and many others! There will be light refreshments. We also have several self-Guided walking tours for you to do. We are at 1317 W Jefferson in Phoenix.

Hope you come to Visit!

 

 

Credit System - Blessing or Curse?

Cheap Cash Store Ad, Library of Congress

The credit system was a crucial aspect of general stores in the 1800s, accommodating the financial rhythms of rural and agricultural communities. Many customers relied on credit to purchase goods, with the understanding that they would settle their accounts at a later date, 

the credit system was a necessity due to the economic realities of the time. In rural and agricultural communities, cash flow was often irregular, tied to the cycles of planting, harvesting, and selling crops. The ability to buy on credit allowed families to manage these fluctuations and maintain their standard of living throughout the year.

Storekeepers kept meticulous records of transactions, tracking the debts and payments of their customers. This system required a high level of trust between the storekeeper and the community, as the viability of the store depended on customers eventually settling their debts. The credit system not only facilitated ongoing commerce but also reinforced the interconnectedness and mutual dependency of small-town life.

However, some credit systems did cause problems.  Some stores chose to reduce prices and encourage bartering for products.  this reduced unpaid debts, and customers going without due to unaffordable prices.

 

The General Store Cash Register - "Incorruptible Cashier"

 

Old Cash Register, Library of Congress

The cash register was a revolutionary addition to general stores in the late 1800s, transforming the way transactions were handled. Invented by James Ritty in 1879, the cash register, often referred to as the "Incorruptible Cashier," was designed to deter employee theft and ensure accurate financial records. These early cash registers were mechanical marvels, featuring intricate gears and levers, and they often had a distinctive brass or wooden exterior. Each transaction required the storekeeper to manually input the sale amount, which would then be recorded on a paper tape inside the machine. A bell would ring with each sale, alerting both the customer and the storekeeper to the completed transaction. This not only added a level of transparency and accountability but also helped in keeping precise records of daily sales. The introduction of the cash register marked a significant advancement in retail technology, enhancing both the efficiency and integrity of financial operations in general stores.

Vinyl (PVC) - An Accidental Discovery

 

Science Lab (Organic), Library of Congress

General stores in the 1800s typically sold everyday goods such as food, clothing, household items, and tools. Chemical products available in these stores would have been basic and common items such as vinegar, baking soda, soap, and perhaps some medicinal compounds like laudanum or quinine.

However, new products and chemicals for household use were being researched on a regular basis.  One such researcher/scientist was Eugen Baumann.

Eugen Baumann, a pioneering German chemist of the 19th century, is best known for his accidental discovery of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in 1872, a material that would later revolutionize various industries. Baumann discovered PVC when he noticed that the material formed as a white solid inside a flask of vinyl chloride that had been exposed to sunlight.

Despite PVC's delayed practical applications, Baumann made immediate and impactful contributions to organic chemistry, most notably through the Schotten-Baumann reaction, developed in collaboration with Carl Schotten in 1879. 

This reaction, which acylates amines and alcohols to form amides and esters, has become a cornerstone in synthetic chemistry. It is extensively used in the pharmaceutical industry for the synthesis of drugs, enabling the formation of peptide bonds essential for producing many medications. Additionally, the Schotten-Baumann reaction is pivotal in the fragrance industry

Products of the General Store - 1800s

General Store Goods, Library of Congress

General stores in the 1800s frequently stocked local products, reflecting the self-sufficient and community-oriented nature of the era. Many of the items on their shelves were produced within the surrounding area, including fresh produce, dairy products, baked goods, and handmade items like soap, candles, and textiles. This emphasis on local goods not only supported the local economy but also ensured the freshness and quality of perishable items. By selling locally sourced products, general stores helped sustain local farmers, artisans, and craftsmen, fostering a sense of community pride and mutual support. This practice also provided customers with a direct connection to the origins of their purchases, enhancing their trust in the quality and authenticity of the goods. The focus on local products was a defining characteristic of general stores, underscoring their role as integral parts of the local economic and social fabric.

 

The General Store - Community Hub

Paradise Folk Project Collection, Library of Congress

General stores in the 1800s served as vibrant community hubs, far beyond their role as retail establishments. These stores were often the epicenter of social interaction, where townsfolk would gather to exchange news, share gossip, and discuss local events. The storekeeper played a pivotal role in this dynamic, acting as an informal news source and often being one of the most well-informed individuals in the community. The store was a place where people came not only to shop but also to connect with their neighbors, fostering a sense of community and belonging. From political discussions to personal anecdotes, the general store was a melting pot of conversations and ideas, making it an essential gathering spot and a cornerstone of social life in 19th-century towns.