PHOENIX (AP) - Sunday, April 22
On this date in 1919, the government opened its case in the Phoenix trial of two Cocopah Indians charged with the killing of their tribal medicine man who failed to halt a flu bug.
On this date in 1919, contracts were signed by Pima and Pinal County authorities and the U.S. Forest Service for the construction of a road from Oracle to Soldier’s Camp in the Catalina Mountains.
On this date in 1920, prominent society and club women started a boycott on potatoes to protest the price. Housewives in Phoenix were called and asked to support the boycott and tell five friends to do the same.
On this date in 1938, the head of the Maricopa County Highway Safety squad was tried in Tempe Justice Court on charges of reckless driving.
Monday, April 23
On this date in 1850, Yuma Indians attacked the ferry at the Yuma Crossing. Fifteen people were killed and three reached safety on the western shore.
On this date in 1886, fire destroyed a block of business buildings in Phoenix. The town had no fire department or water works.
On this date in 1919, federal marshals raided two underground stills located in an abandoned mining shaft near Jerome.
On this date in 1919, The Arizona Daily Star reported that tests and experiments were to be conducted for the first time concerning the use of airplanes to spot forest fires and transport firefighters.
On this date in 1983, Buster Crabbe, a former Olympic swimming gold medalist who went to star in movies such as “Tarzan the Fearless,” ’’Flash Gordon” and “Buck Rogers” in the 1930s and 1940s, died of a heart attack at his Scottsdale home at age 75.
On this date in 2010, Gov. Jan Brewer signs SB1070, a bill that requires local police officers to question people about their immigration status if there is reason to suspect they are illegal immigrants, into law.
Tuesday, April 24
On this date in 1880, St. Mary’s Hospital in Tucson opened, staffed by the Sisters of St. Joseph.
On this date in 1909, the town of Wickenburg was incorporated by a vote of 36-5.
On this date in 1919, agreement was reached clearing the way for the construction of the Florence diversion dam on the Gila River. The dam was expected to irrigate 62,000 acres (25,091 hectares) of land in the Casa Grande Valley.
On this date in 1925, the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce circulated a straw ballot on the proposition that the name of the Salt River Valley be changed to Roosevelt Valley, but the proposal met with strong opposition.
Wednesday, April 25
On this date in 1854, the Gadsden Purchase was ratified and signed by President Franklin Pierce. It became effective June 30.
On this date in 1877, schools in Tucson were closed because of a smallpox epidemic.
On this date in 1896, a plague swept the hog farms in the Salt River Valley and 8,000 hogs died in the following three months.
On this date in 1898, Gov. Myron H. McCord received official authorization to enlist volunteers for the Rough Riders.
On this date in 1933, bandits held up the Valley Bank at Globe and escaped with $34,000.
Thursday, April 26
On this date in 1901, notorious Arizona outlaw Black Jack Ketchum was hanged in Clayton, New Mexico. The rope broke and Ketchum’s head came off.
On this date in 1925, a monument honoring Charles D. Poston as the “Father of Arizona” was dedicated on Poston Butte, near Florence.
On this date in 1930, The Winslow Daily Mail announced that with plans underway in other states to complete their paving, only the Arizona section or Route 66 would remain unpaved.
Friday, April 27
On this date in 1828, Isaac Polhamus, Colorado riverboat captain, was born.
On this date in 1896, the first passenger elevator in the state was put into service in Phoenix.
Saturday, April 28
On this date in 1700, Father Francisco Eusebio Kino wrote in his diary that work had begun on the foundations of the first church at San Xavier del Bac.
On this date in 1876, the cornerstone of the Territorial Prison was laid at Yuma. The first prisoners were received there in June of that year.
On this date in 1882, The Arizona Daily Citizen reported that the bathhouse of the Cosmopolitan Hotel had been moved from near the Park Brewery to the Cosmopolitan Hotel Plaza, making it more convenient for hotel guests.
On this date in 1931, 70 cars left Yuma in a motorcade to Phoenix to celebrate the opening of the hard surface road between Phoenix and San Diego.
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