Trinidad Silvas (1866 - 1911) - Struck by Lightning

Microsoft Clip Art

Trinidad Silvas was most likely born in Mexico around 1866.  In the summer of 1911, she and her long-time partner, José Alvarez, were working for a local rancher and temporarily living in a tent on his property about four miles northeast of the Phoenix townsite. 

During the night of July 16th, a terrific thunderstorm blew up.  Alvarez had been lying awake on his cot and listening to the roar of the thunder for quite a while. Then, all of a sudden, he saw a bright flash of lightning and heard a loud thunderclap.  It seemed to him that a ball of fire rolled into the tent!

Alvarez was tossed across the floor of the tent and lost unconsciousness for a few minutes.   When he came to, he ascertained that his thirteen-year-old daughter, who was lying on a pallet, had not been harmed—in fact, she had not even awakened.  Trinidad, however, had died instantly, the hair on one side of her head burned away.

Alvarez ran to the nearest habitation and poured out the tragic news.  Coroner Johnstone was summoned and ordered that the body not be moved pending an inquest on the following day.  The investigation revealed a small hole with charred edges, burned in the tent canvas.   It was speculated that the tragic event had been an example of a rare phenomenon known as ‘ball lightning’.

In the same neighborhood—and almost at the same time-- a valuable gray horse belonging to W. Bivins was also struck and killed by lightning.

Trinidad was buried in City/Loosley Cemetery.  It is not known what became of José Alvarez and the couple’s young daughter.

-By Debe B.

#8 - John Bolton (1866 approx. - 1902) - First African American Mail Carrier

 

PCA Archives

John Bolton was born March 1866 or 1867 In Tennessee. When he first came to Phoenix, he was employed as a barber in Frank Shirley’s shop, The Fashion. Bolton married a woman called Hattie and in 1893, they had a son they named Chrenskey. Bolton eventually became one of the first African American mail carriers in Phoenix. A prominent member of Phoenix’s African American community, he was elected president of the Colored Literary Society. He died on December 26, 1902, and was buried in Rosedale Cemetery. 

John Bolton (1866 - 1902) - Politician

PCA Archives

John Bolton arrived in Phoenix about 1890. During his short life of 36 years, he journeyed from Kansas to San Diego, California, before relocating to Phoenix for his health. 

Bolton had been born in Tennessee. African-American and a barber by trade, Bolton began his career in Phoenix by working in Frank Shirley’s barber shop, The Fashion. Bolton’s wife Hattie worked at the Alhambra on Papago.
           

Bolton was not a man to be easily intimidated. While walking home from work late in December, 1892, he was accosted by a thief. Seizing a brick, Bolton hit the footpad in the face and made his escape unscathed.
           
Soon after his arrival in Phoenix, Bolton became active in local politics. He was elected as an alternate delegate to the Republican National Convention from Maricopa County in April, 1896, the year in which William McKinley won his first term as president.
           
In June 1897, Bolton contracted to have a one-story brick residence built at Fillmore and North 2nd Street. A well-read man, Bolton was elected president of the Colored Literary Society in December, 1897. 
           
As Bolton prospered in his profession, he opened a barber shop in a more prestigious location, the new Adams Hotel in downtown Phoenix. In September 1898, he also took a civil service exam and became one of the first black letter carriers in the city. 
           
Bolton seems to have been a bit of a practical jokester. When he made the acquaintance of African American men recently arrived in Phoenix, he was not above engaging in a little hazing. First, Bolton would suggest that his new companion accompany him to a local park to meet some of the town’s young ladies. Once there, a confederate would jump out of the bushes and fire a couple of gunshots, causing the poor chap to take to his heels with Bolton close behind. Not until the newcomer stopped to draw breath would Bolton innocently remark that the shooter must have been the overprotective father of one of the young ladies.
           
Unfortunately, the desert air was not restorative for John Bolton and he died at his home on North Second Street of a lung hemorrhage on December 26, 1902, leaving behind his wife and son. The funeral was attended by his many friends and customers. His grave in Rosedale Cemetery North is marked with a simple headstone.

-Derek Horn and Donna Carr.