Desert Messenger

September 19, 2012

Desert Messenger is your local connection for news, events, and entertainment!

Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/83337

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 18 of 23

September 19, 2012 Hi Jolly Cemetery Pioneers Who were they? By Dinice Ross, Hi Jolly Cemetery, Records/Historian Hagely, John (Judge) George (some records show last name spelled Hagley) became known as the "Marry- ing Judge". He dispensed justice and marriages for 29 years and became a beloved friend to hundreds. His his- tory is a light-hearted romp through the trials of California's marriage laws and Quartzsite's growing pains. Headstone reads: Born: November 8, 1894 in Quartz- site. Died: October 15, 1977 in Quartz- site from heart failure at age 83. Buried: Hi Jolly Cemetery, Pioneer Section, Plot 101. Father: Anton Hagely. Mother: Vik- toria Kuehn Hagely. Half -brothers: William, Charles and Fred Kuehn. Sisters: Theresa and Emelia Hagely. Married: Osa Holden, 1942. Divorced: 1945-46. John was known more by his middle name George. He was born at Tyson's Well (later to become Quartzsite) in the Oasis Hotel and spent most of his life in Quartzsite. George attended one of Quartzsite's earliest schools and assisted in his parent's store. When he was 22 he joined the U.S. JOHN GEORGE HAGELY PFC US ARMY WORLD WAR I 1894 1977 Army and served overseas during World War I. After returning home, he helped his step brother Fred Kuehn, with the cattle in the Quartzsite area and also ventured into mining. Later he worked with the Motor Vehicle De- partment. In 1934 he was elected as County Supervisor and served 5 terms where he worked to improve highways and conditions in this district. After the war, George moved the www.DesertMessenger.com waiting period to get married. Young couples who were anxious to get mar- ried arrived at Judge Hagely's door at any time of the day or night. His 24- hour lighted sign announced, "Let's Get Married", and over the years, thousands did! He claimed he had married over 37,000 couples during his long career including Al Jolson, Ruby Keller (stand-in for Marilyn Monroe), and a number of other ce- lebrities. The Quartzsite District Court was in George's home. In the early 1960's, "Sleepy Q" slipped into a period of hibernation and the town's summer population shrank to around 50. According to Paul Feldman who operated a little lapidary shop here, by the fi rst day of January each year, the area's population shot up to about 1500. The trickle of winter peo- ple, which was to become a fl ood, had begun! By 1975 an estimated 500,000 people came to the winter Pow Wow in Quartzsite. Not long before Judge Hagely died in 1977, he spoke about Quartz- site. He said, "We have so many new people now, these snowbirds come in from Oregon and up north. They come and they go, I'm practically a stranger here now." His legacy will live on for many centuries to come. Some days at the Museum, you can still hear people say that their parents, aunts or un- cles were married by Judge Hagely. – what fun! Emelia Victoria Hagely Father: Anton Hagely. Mother: Viktoria Kuehn Hagely. Born: May 5, 1899 Quartzsite, AZ. Died: Los Angeles 7/12/1990 at age 91. Emelia married Amos Sapp in 1917 Hagely Hotel & Boarding House 75 feet back from the road and put porch- es on three sides. In 1942 he married Osa Holden who had also grown up in Tyson's Well but had later moved to Redlands, CA. After living in Red- lands, she missed life in the city and her family. They divorced in 1945-46. In 1947 he was elected Justice of the Peace and held that offi ce for 29 years (eight terms), resigning in 1976 for health reasons. George passed away in October of 1977 of heart failure. When George became a Judge, he became known as the "Marrying Judge". For many years the state of CA required a blood test and a 3 day (He died suddenly in 1923 of typhoid fever). In 1931 she married Wil- liam Moon (Bill Moon of Blythe was postmaster in Quartzsite). After his death she married Mr. Woodson (He had been one of Teddy Roosevelt's "Rough Riders"). Theresa Victoria Hagely Father: Anton Hagely. Mother: Viktoria Kuehn Hagely. Born: Oct 1, 1897 Quartzsite, AZ. Died: California 8/25/1985 at age 88. Married: Ernest Wissman, a German Flying Ace. Theresa went to high school in Cali- fornia, then attended Flagstaff Normal School and became a teacher and taught in the small school in Quartzsite. This ends the two generation Kuehn- Hagely pioneering saga in Quartzsite. There are many more stories, legends, CARDIOVASCULAR DIVISION OF IMS Diagnose and Treat • chest pain • shortness of breath • leg pain • varicose veins • leg swelling • palpitations LOCATED in Palm Plaza 255 N. Central Blvd. #5 Quartzsite Cardiac Services Provided • stress testing • echocardiograms • vascular ultrasound • PAD screening • coronary angioplasty/stenting • peripheral angioplasty/stenting All testing done on-site No need to travel 928-927-6105 Page 19 news articles and information to be had at the Quartzsite Public Library and the Tyson's Stage Station Museum on this family and other pioneers of the Hi Jolly Cemetery. Next in the miniseries Hi Jolly Cemetery's Pioneers – Who Were They? is the family that began the Scott dynasty. Taken as a family, their history travels the twists and turns through 5 generations growing up in Quartzsite and into present day and most likely into the future. PERSPECTIVES FROM PAGE 17 What A Wonderful World I see trees of green........ red roses too I see 'em bloom..... for me and for you And I think to myself.... what a wonderful world. I see skies of blue..... clouds of white Bright blessed days....dark sacred nights And I think to myself .....what a wonderful world. The colors of a rainbow.....so pretty ..in the sky Are also on the faces.....of people ..going by I see friends shaking hands.....sayin'.. how do you do They're really sayin'......I love you. I hear babies cry...... I watch them grow They'll learn much more.....than I'll never know And I think to myself .....what a wonderful world. Every sixty seconds that you spend angry, upset or mad, is a full minute of happiness you'll never get back. Life is short, forgive quickly, kiss slowly, love truly, laugh un- controllably, and never regret anything that made you smile. May your troubles be less, may your blessings be more, and may noth- ing but happiness come through your door. It all sounds good. Full Service Cardiovascular Office in Quartzsite!

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of Desert Messenger - September 19, 2012