Ida Emma Guenther (1853-1904) - Shrew

 

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According to the federal census of 1900, Ida (maiden name unknown) was born in Denmark April 1853 and arrived in the United States in 1865.  One can only guess what contributed to her fondness for conflict and drink.

Mrs. Ida Bailey first came to the attention of Phoenix authorities 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. 

Shortly after that incident, Ida married Joseph P. Murray, a blacksmith, on April 23, 1893.  Witnesses to the 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, Ida was 40 years old and Joseph was 57 years old. 

The Arizona Republican paper reported that the newlyweds were off to the World’s Fair on honeymoon.  However, the romance—if romance it was—didn’t last long.  Barely two months later, Ida was living in a crib in the alley behind the Central Hotel in Phoenix.    That area was known for all sorts of criminal behavior, the main problem being prostitution. 

On June 23, 1893, one of Ida’s neighbors, Annie Marchand, complained to Night Marshal Blankenship that Ida had tried to fire a shot at her with a Smith & Wesson handgun. Ida was arrested and fined.  “Inspired by whiskey and morphine”, Ida retaliated by charging that Annie had been calling her names.

On July 1, 1893, a fire swept through the residences in the alley behind the Central Hotel.  The flames were so intense that they threatened the hotel.  It was learned that Ida had moved all her belongings out of her shack prior to the fire, but Annie lost everything.  Although Ida had openly boasted that she “was going to make it hot” for Annie Marchand, there was no direct evidence linking her to the fire.

Ida Murray next married Herman Guenther, a gunsmith, on September 18, 1899 in Phoenix.  Herman had been born in Germany in December 1835 and arrived in the United States in 1871.  He had been previously married and had two sons who were in California.  

The Guenthers invited Nicholas Brecht and his wife Maria Gilmore to their home on July 11, 1899 for a drink.  The affair became a two-hour drinking contest before everyone said their goodbyes.  Sometime later Maria realized her purse was missing and returned to the Guenthers.   A fight broke out and police were called.  All were brought to court and fined.

Ida died in Phoenix on May 5, 1904 at the age of 50 and was buried in Loosley Cemetery.  Herman died on August 10, 1904 at the age of 69.  He had attempted to walk to the cemetery where his wife was buried and lost his way.  He was found unconscious and brought back to his residence where he later died.  He is also buried in Loosley Cemetery.   Neither Guenther has a grave marker.

 - by Patricia 

 

Frank Barrios - Thank You for your Service to PCA!

 

PCA Archives

Volunteer Spotlight: Honoring Frank Barrios!

Today we honor the life and legacy of Frank Barrios: historian, preservationist, author, and longtime volunteer with the Pioneers’ Cemetery Association.

Frank was more than a volunteer. He was a bridge between the past and the present. Through his work with PCA, he helped preserve the stories of Phoenix’s earliest residents with genuine care and deep respect. His gentle spirit and dedication reminded us all why preserving history matters.

Beyond PCA, Frank’s passion for heritage shaped how Phoenix remembers its roots. His book "Mexicans in Phoenix" captured the heart of the city’s Mexican American community. These families, neighborhoods, and traditions helped build the city we know today.

Frank was named LULAC’s Man of the Year, honored as an Arizona History Maker, and celebrated by the City of Phoenix with “Frank Barrios Day.” Yet, those who knew him will tell you his greatest honor was serving others and keeping their stories alive.

We are grateful for his years of service and friendship. Frank’s light continues to guide all of us who believe history is best preserved when it’s shared with love.

Open House - October 25th, 2025 from 10am -1pm

 

PCA Archives

We picked this up and moved it just for you!!!

Come join us for Open House, October 25th from 10am - 1pm!

Take a self-tour of the cemetery, check out Smurthwaite House, and chat with some awesome folks who love Phoenix history! See you soon!

William B. Casey (1870-1898) - Hot Tempered Ranch Hand

 

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Aerial of Rosedale

William B. Casey’s story is one of those wild tales from early Phoenix that reminds us how rough life could be on the frontier. Born in New York in 1870, he went west as a young man, described as tall, athletic, and quick to quarrel. By the time he reached Arizona, his hot temper was well known. He tried his hand at a milk delivery business in Phoenix, but the partnership fell apart, and Casey found himself in frequent trouble with the law.

Things came to a head in September 1898. While working at Ben Anderson’s ranch north of town, Casey was asked to saddle a horse for Anderson’s granddaughter. Taking offense, he lashed out at Anderson’s son-in-law with a pitchfork, leaving him badly injured. Only days later, still spoiling for a fight, Casey confronted rancher James Marler over rumors of insults. When words didn’t satisfy him, he attacked with his fists, then turned on a hired hand, George Moudy. As Casey rushed forward, Moudy fired in self-defense. One bullet to the heart ended Casey’s violent streak.

A coroner’s jury quickly ruled the killing justified, given Casey’s attacks in the days before. William B. Casey was buried on September 12, 1898, after a Catholic funeral service.  Despite his bad temper and reputation, a large crowd of family and friends were there to pay their last respects and follow his coffin to Rosedale Cemetery.   

Whispers in Stone - Flowers on Grave Markers

Whispers in Stone…

Flowers carved into old grave markers aren’t just decoration. Each bloom holds a message of love, loss, or eternal life. What stories do these stone blossoms tell?

• Lilies – purity and peace
• Roses – love and fragility
• Ivy – eternal attachment
• Oak leaves & acorns – strength and immortality
• Morning glory – life’s short bloom

Some of the “whispers” at the Pioneer & Military Memorial Park… every flower tells a story! 

Photos: PCA Archive

Wilson Augustus McGinnis 91850-1899) - Architect

 

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Wilson Augustus McGinnis was born in Dyer County, Tennessee, in February, 1850.  He was the youngest of ten children belonging to John S. McGinnis and his wife, Martha Mathis (or Matthews?). 

By 1884, Wilson was in Phillips County, Arkansas, where he married Letitia “Lula” Vaughan on February 15th.  Their first child, Neil Weston McGinnis, was born about a year later across the Mississippi River in Memphis, Tennessee.   Eula, their second child, was born in August 1886 in Texas.   By July 20, 1888, the McGinnises was in Phoenix, Arizona, where four more children were born to them.

Wilson McGinnis was a very busy architect, surveyor and civil engineer in Phoenix and central-northern Arizona.  He formed a partnership with another architect, Fred Heinlein, and, in 1890, they were the architects for the territorial insane asylum.  He served as Phoenix’s city engineer until February 1893, when he resigned over a disagreement with the City Council.

McGinnis owned an almond orchard in south Phoenix.  In July 1895, the trees were bearing nuts.  He was also interested in growing ramie, a natural fiber.

On June 27, 1896, Fred Heinlein, the architect originally selected for the Normal School in Tempe, was discharged and the position given to McGinnis.  A year later, he received a contract to examine the unfinished boys’ reform school in Flagstaff and design plans to convert it into an insane asylum.  However, the contract was cancelled in August, 1897.

W. A. Mc Ginnis was the Maricopa County surveyor until he suffered a breakdown in 1898.  In June, he was remanded to the asylum he had helped design.  His wife took him back to Tennessee in July in hopes that a change of scenery would benefit him, but to no avail.

McGinnis’s illness left two of his projects unfinished.  Evidently the Board of Control decided that one insane asylum was enough for the Territory.  The reform school in Flagstaff was converted instead into Northern Arizona University.  Architect James Miller Creighton stepped in to finish Old Main at what is now ASU.

McGinnis died on August 2, 1899.  He was buried initially in the AOUW cemetery, Block 18, Lot 3.  His remains and those of his little daughter Etta were later moved to the newly-opened Greenwood Cemetery.

McGinnis had an AOUW life insurance policy which paid $2000 on his demise.  The money was used to pay off the mortgage on his almond orchard in the expectation that it would provide an income for his family.

-  by Tim Kovacs and Donna Carr