TW Otis: Civic Minded Pioneer

Theodore Weld (TW) Otis was a prominent and well-respected Prescott pioneer who served the community as a judge, a coroner, and a postmaster. He speculated in mining, real estate, and was a retail proprietor. He was a pious, charitable Christian and a teetotaling advocate for prohibition.

Viola Jimulia: America's First Chieftess

Sicatuva, also known as Viola Pelhame Jimulla, had a character and soul as mighty as Granite Mountain. She would have to call on every ounce of these qualities to guide her people through one of their lowest times in history.

In the 1930s, when the Prescott Yavapai were down to a population of around 50, Viola took over the role of chief (mayora) of the tribe, even before her husband, Chief Sam "Red Ants" Jimulla (pronounced gee-mew-LAH,) passed away in 1940, when he fell off his horse. (*1)

In fact, a December 1936 Arizona Highways article stated: "As far as is known, Viola is the only woman in America to hold the position of tribal head" (while the story curiously never mentioned Sam at all.) (*2)