PHOENIX (AP) - Sunday, May 13
On this date in 1846, President James K. Polk declared that a state of war existed between the United States and Mexico.
On this date in 1905, the dams at Greer and St. John gave way and the St. Johns Valley suffered heavy flood damage.
On this date in 1920, the city of Tucson charged that Phoenix was holding up its census figures until it could learn Tucson’s population - and then boost their numbers to put Phoenix ahead.
On this date in 1929, a forest fire which had burned for days in the Patagonia Mountains was finally put out, just in time to save the town of Harshaw.
On this date in 1929, Barney Oldfield, famous racing driver, narrowly escaped death when his car overturned on the highway near Winslow after hitting a road scraper.
Monday, May 14
On this date in 1884, the first Arizona Industrial Exposition was held in Phoenix.
On this date in 1903, the Salt River Valley Project was authorized by the Bureau of Reclamation.
On this date in 1910, 1,000 lots were sold in Parker in a single day.
On this date in 1913, John J. Gospers, Secretary of State of the Territory of Arizona during the administration of Gov. John C. Fremont, died as a charity patient in Los Angeles County Hospital.
On this date in 1922, 60-year-old undelivered letters were found with the skeleton of a Pony Express carrier in the cellar of an old cabin near Oatman.
On this date in 1929, Phoenix road maintenance crews were provided with first-aid kits and tubes of anti-venom against snake bites after 50 rattlesnakes were killed by road crews within a few days.
Tuesday, May 15
On this date in 1899, the Phoenix Daily Herald ran an ad placed by a local contractor asking residents why they continue to spend $5, $10 or $15 a month on rent when they could own a lot in the heart of Phoenix for $65 to $200.
On this date in 1899, the Phoenix Daily Herald reported the departure of John Gorman, who was the tollgate keeper on the Riverside-to-Globe road until it was abandoned. Gorman took tolls for 18 years, often with a pistol or shotgun in his hand.
On this date in 1922, outlaws attempted the holdup of the Southern Pacific Golden State at Jayne’s Station near Tucson. One was killed and the others fled as the express messenger used his shotgun.
On this date in 1925, a fire in the Cave Creek area of the Chiricahua Mountains near Douglas spread over an area three miles long and two miles wide.
Wednesday, May 16
On this date in 1898, Arizona barbers raised their prices to an unheard of high for a shave - 25 cents.
On this date in 1910, Edward Hughes, one of the original locators of the Helvetia mines, died.
On this date in 1916, the town of Pima was incorporated.
On this date in 1929, high winds toppled the new Somerton Junior High school under construction at Somerton, south of Yuma. One workman was killed and another seriously injured.
On this date in 1930, outlaws set fire to the railway trestle between Miami and Globe in an effort to wreck the Southern Pacific train but the engineer opened the throttle and raced through the flames.
Thursday, May 17
On this date in 1910, the Douglas police chief arrested the mayor on a charge of failing to hitch his horse.
On this date in 1910, a carload of wild broncos was shipped from Phoenix to New York where they would be ridden, three each day, at the New York Hippodrome by rodeo rider Bert Bryan.
On this date in 1931, Nogales dedicated its new international airport.
On this date in 1940, the University of Arizona radio bureau director said women were too artificial on the air to be successful.
On this date in 1900, an Arizona and New Mexico Railroad freight train crashed through a bridge near Clifton. Three people were killed and nine injured.
On this date in 1910, the Hotel Adams in Phoenix was destroyed by fire, with the loss estimated at $275,000 and two people killed. Gov. Richard Sloan and his wife, who were living in the hotel made their escape without injury.
Friday, May 18
On this date in 1865, the Prescott Post Office was established.
On this date in 1929, Federal Engineer H.J. Gault arrived in Yuma to begin the final survey of the All-American Canal.
On this date in 1910, Mr. John Gardner, Pima County census enumerator, reported that as he entered a Yaqui village in northern Pima County all the Indians quickly vanished. His total count for the village was one female.
Saturday May 19
On this date in 1890, The Arizona Republican published its first issue and would become the Arizona Republic 40 years later.
On this date on 1892, a stage coach line was established between Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon.
On this date in 1916, private citizens of Arizona let the contract for a solid silver service to be presented to the battleship Arizona. The price was approximately $8,000.
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