Desert Messenger

March 19, 2014 www.DesertMessenger.com 21 Historical cemeteries of La Paz County Excerpts from "In the Shadow of Saguaros" by Rosalee Oldham Wheeler "In the Shadow of Saguaros" Vol. I & II are now available exclusively at the Tyson's Well Museum and Reader's Oasis Book Store Voices from The Past in Quartzsite, AZ Much of the history of the people who lived in this part of Arizona Territory and the State that fol- lowed is written upon the head- stones and wooden markers found in the old historical cemeteries of La Paz County. Quartzsite's Hi Jolly Cemetery is one of many such cemeteries in La Paz County where history is written upon the resting place of many courageous pioneers. Quartzsite Business Chamber of Commerce brochure states that the Hi Jolly Cemetery is one of the most visited histori- cal monuments in the South- west. In 1935, the governor of Arizona dedicated the Hi Jolly Monument in honor of Hadji Ali with the following inscription engraved upon his marker: "The Last Camp of Hi Jolly. Born some- where in Syria about 1828. Died at Quartzsite December 16, 1902. Came to this country February 10, 1856. Camel driver-packer, scout over 30 years a faithful aid to the U.S. Government. Arizona High- way Department 1955". A pho- tograph or symbol of the natural rock pyramid-shaped monument topped by a copper camel is often found on tourist maps or literature about historical places to visit in La Paz County. Hi Jolly's fame has given Quartzsite its theme for a parade and festivities that mark the beginning of many activities held during Quartzsite's active winter season. In recent years, the annual number of winter visitors has been estimated to be over one million people. Travelers from around the world have visited the burial place of the famous cam- el driver who played an important role in the history of transportation across the Southwestern deserts. The Pioneer Section of the Hi Jol- ly Cemetery was fortunate to have a dedicated volunteer who made con- crete headstones for each grave. On each headstone was the full name, date of birth, and date of death of each person buried in the Pioneer Section. The old wooden markers were removed. Over time, the ce- ment used in the new concrete de- teriorated making it diffi cult to read the inscriptions. Additional historical La Paz County cemeteries are found north of Wenden near the banks of the Santa Maria Riv- er. Back in the late 1940's, before the Alamo Dam was built, we kept bees near several small family cemeteries. The ranch house near one cemetery had been deserted for many, many years. Even the fur- niture had been left behind. Cans of food were still on the shelf with dishes in the cupboards. The beds had been made, but mice had sto- len cotton from the mattresses. It had been years since anyone had lived there. We later learned that a rancher and all of his children had died from a fl u epidemic, only the wife survived. In a cemetery near the home were fi ve graves, each marked with sticks and stones. The family's sad story was clearly de- picted by the fi ve humble graves. The old Ehrenberg Cemetery is a solitude place near the river and tells the history of the hardships along the mighty Colorado. The family names of many early-day set- tlers including the Daniels, Wells, and Lopez families are found there along with the unmarked graves of gold miners who were unknown to those who buried them. This is the same graveyard that Martha Sum- merhayes wrote about in her histori- cal book, Vanished Arizona – Recollec- tions of the Army Life of a New Eng- land Woman. Martha's recollec- tions of the Ehrenberg Cemetery were rather vivid for a refi ned East- ern lady: "There was no enclosure, but the bare, sloping, sandy place was sprinkled with graves, marked by heaps of stones, and in some instances by rude crosses of wood, some had been wrenched from their upright position by the fi erce sandstorms. There was not a blade of grass, a tree, or fl ower. I walked about among these graves, and close beside some of them I saw deep holes and whitened bones." SEE GRAVES PAGE 23 SNOWBIRDS Furnished Trailers For Rent $325/mo. + up Cactus Patch RV Park 928-927-6717 DENTURES $350 Full Set (replacement) • US Military trained w/ 30 plus years experience • Implant Dentures Available • Partials starting at $175 QUARTZSITE SNOWBIRD SPECIAL: Same Day Dentures and 1 Hour Reline/Repairs!! Dental Laboratory Service Call: 623-444-4013 • Goodyear, AZ http://www.DLSAZ.com Mexico Prices...USA Made!! CUSTOM MADE PET ACCESSORIES The Pet Patio ~ Ray & Verna Maurer EASY TO FIND! Tyson Wells Space 29 Full line of nylon products and comfort harnesses, fleece coats, dog boots, doggles, etc. 661-428-3499 or 206-890-1696 Hi Jolly Cemetery, Quartzsite along with the unmarked graves Harrisburg Cemetery Marker

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