Sunday, Aug. 6
On this date in 1873, Vincente Hernandez, keeper of a general store and jewelry shop in Tucson, and his wife were beaten to death and robbed. Two days later a citizens committee hanged the murderers from gallows in the plaza.
On this date in 1879, the first ice-making machine in Arizona began operation in Tucson.
On this date in 1880, the first bar of bullion was turned out from the Bisbee smelter.
On this date in 1891, an earthquake followed by a tidal wave caused extensive damage to the Cocopah Indian villages and lands along the lower Colorado River.
On this date in 1896, the Black Jack Christian gang attempted to rob the International Bank of Nogales, but were defeated by John Dessart, president of the bank, who held off the five armed men until help arrived.
Monday, Aug. 7
On this date in 1833, Frederick A. Tritle, who became Arizona’s seventh territorial governor, was born in Pennsylvania.
On this date in 1909, Arthur Joseph Bayless, founder of the A.J. Bayless grocery stores, was born.
On this date in 1922, the Tucson Citizen reported that I.T. Frazier, state highway maintenance superintendent, talked to Cochise County officials about a house which was standing in the middle of the highway between Douglas and Rodeo.
Tuesday, Aug. 8
On this date in 1876, Dr. Walter Reed reported for duty as post surgeon for Fort Lowell.
On this date in 1930, cloudbursts over the state caused extensive damage. A trestle gave away near Winslow and the Santa Fe eastbound passenger train dropped into a wash. Two were killed and 39 injured. Nogales was swept by a wall of water which filled streets, leaving four dead and hundreds homeless. The Red Cross and Salvation Army rushed aid.
On this date in 1933, Arizona became the 21st state to sanction the repeal of national prohibition in a landslide vote.
Wednesday, Aug. 9
On this date in 1860, Sylvester Mowry became the owner of the Patagonia Mine for which he paid $22,500.
On this date in 1909, a party of six men with Dean Byron Cummings, archaeologist from the University of Arizona, became the first white men to see the Betatakin Ruins.
On this date in 1913, 25 citizens of Douglas were sworn in as special officers and armed for the purpose of patrolling the city at night to stop crime.
Thursday, Aug. 10
On this date in 1861, declaring that Arizona had been deserted and left to the Apaches by the federal government, 68 citizens held a mass meeting in Tucson and voted to join the Confederacy.
On this date in 1867, the United States Army established Fort Crittenden between Sonoita and Patagonia.
On this date in 1869, Jack Sumner, one of John Wesley Powell’s boatmen, noted in his diary that the Little Colorado River was a “loathsome little stream, so filthy and muddy it fairly stinks.”
Friday, Aug. 11
On this date in 1881, Clarence Budington Kelland, newspaperman and author of many books and short stories about Arizona, including the novel “Arizona,” was born.
On this date in 1931, 75 residents of Mammoth were forced to leave their homes and retreat to the hills as floods swept the San Pedro Valley, leaving four persons dead.
On this date in 1936, the municipality of South Tucson was born as 87 citizens met and voted on incorporation. The measure passed by 17 votes.
Saturday, Aug. 12
On this date in 1878, Jack Swilling, one of the founders of Phoenix, died.
On this date in 1883, the Florence to Globe stage and the Prescott to Ash Fork stage were both held up on the same night. The shotgun messenger on the Florence to Globe stage was killed.
On this date in 1886, fire destroyed a block of 14 business buildings in Phoenix, causing $100,000 in damage.
On this date in 1890, Professor Frank A. Gully was made the first faculty member of the University of Arizona by the Board of Regents.
On this date in 1919, 2,000 citizens of the Casa Grande Valley attended a mass meeting in Florence and pledged $50,000 to finance a campaign for the San Carlos Dam.
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