1913 Frontier Days Gasoline Events

 

It was only 10 years after the first automobile, a 1903 “Curved-Dash” Oldsmobile from Jerome, which actually only drove from Jerome Junction after taking the train there.

Still, “much interest [was] created” when the Frontier Days Committee announced that it was increasing the cash prize money for the automobile race to $250 for first, and $150 for second place (approximately $8000 and $4800 in today’s money). The Weekly Journal-Miner explained that the extra prize money would ‘guarantee the entry of at least two cars from Tucson, two cars from Phoenix, and one car from Jerome,  to race against a lone entry from Prescott.

Early Arizona Slang

 

The Weekly Journal-Miner of August 13, 1890, captured some of the unique language used around Yavapai County and Arizona in their earliest days. “Old Arizonans have tacked to the English language an addenda of colloquial phrases that are to the uninitiated wholly unintelligible,” the paper wrote, “but the old-timers express ideas in a manner that is both clear and succinct.”

How Did Prescott's Plaza Become Yavapai County Property? UPDATED

How is it that the very heart of Prescott—its downtown Plaza—happened to become property of Yavapai County? 

When queried, even local historians were unable to explain why. One former county supervisor suggested that the beautifully-shaded, rectangle-shaped parcel always belonged to Yavapai County. However, research shows that nothing could be further from the truth…

Christmas 1915: Santa Brings Mountain Bell

Before 1914, the December Prescott newspapers would be heavily sprinkled with short blurbs describing various Christmas activities around town. But with the start of World War 1 on July 28, 1914, the paper's attention turned to the Great War in Europe, even though America would not enter it until sixteen months later. Despite the lack of coverage surrounding Christmas, Prescott still celebrated.

Was Coronado’s Gun Found in the United Verde Mine?

 

It was late autumn 1900 when a minor cave-in occurred in the giant United Verde mine in Jerome. On December 3, as workers cleared the mess, they were astonished to find a newly exposed cave that contained a mysterious gravesite falloff artifacts. “It was with wonder and awe that the workmen first entered the cave and handled the relics that must have been laid away centuries [ago],” the Jerome News described, adding that it created quite an excitement in the copper town.

1868: Four Daring and Successful Indigenous Raids in Four Days

The Weekly Arizona Miner was shocked. “The Indians…commenced the most daring, vigorous, persistent, and may we add, successful raids against the whites of this section that we have ever known or heard of them to make.” The newspaper was referring to a series of four raids in as many days. “And in every instance,” the paper continued, “ [they] have come out winners in the game of life and death.” 

It started in late October 1868. “Our people have been in a high state of excitement ever since our wily foes started upon this, their most brilliant campaign,” the paper declared.