Director

Mary was born December 21, 1878 in Arizona to William and Mary. Mary’s father was a rancher whose land is now part of Perry Mesa within the Agua Fria National Monument. When he died in 1929, his ashes were scattered over Perry Mesa. Mary was one of nine children according to a homestead her father filed in 1889.[1] 	Mary and sisters Grace, Maud, Agnes and Charlotte “Lottie” would attend Tempe Normal (now Arizona State University).[2] It is obvious education for women was valued in the Perry household. Mary would graduate in 1899 and become a teacher. One of her first teaching posts would be in Arizola, Arizona.	Mary would often visit friends and on one such occasion she was at the Bellamy Ranch near Globe, Arizona. There had been a mountain lion in the area causing problems for some time. The story was told that Mary was on her way from the ranch one day and the lion appeared in her path. Afraid and alone, Mary was certain that she was going to be attacked. She suddenly remembered reading about the “power of the human eyes on savage beasts.” Mary looked the lion in the eyes and it turned and fled.[3]	Mary was teaching in Cordes, Arizona when she met Joseph Rueben Bassett.[4] Joseph was a cowboy and worked as a cattle herder on a ranch nearby. The couple was married in Phoenix on April 17, 1902.	On January 24, 1903 the couple was living in Safford, Arizona and welcomed a son, Walter, into their household. Mary’s delivery was obviously difficult as she died on February 4, 1903 in Safford, childbirth listed as the cause. Mary was buried in Masons Cemetery Phoenix, Arizona.[5]

Website

Mary was born 1878 in Arizona.  Her parents owned a ranch along the Agua Fria in an area now known as Perry Mesa. Mary along with her sisters attended Tempe Normal School (ASU) where she became a teacher. She met and married Joseph Bassett.  The couple had a son and a month later married died from childbirth complications on February 4, 1903.

Mary Perry Bassett

Another cemetery had already been established by the early 1880s, but as the town began to grow, residents wanted it to be outside city limits and also away from the recently constructed train station. They thought the cemetery would be an unwelcome sight for visitors upon their arrival. The city agreed and established the present location for the cemetery and called it "Block 32" in 1884. In 1914 the city ended the use of the cemetery and it fell into disrepair. The Pioneer's Cemetery Association was founded in 1938 to help preserve the cemetery but it disbanded during World War II. It was not revived again until 1983. <h4> </h4>

Located west of downtown Phoenix, Pioneer and Military Memorial Park was established in 1988 to preserve seven historic cemeteries that date back to the late 19th century. Several notable local and state politicians and businessmen are interred here. It is estimated that 3,700 people are buried here but only around 600 headstones remain. Interestingly, archaeological excavations have revealed that the park was once the site of a pre-Columbian Hohokam village abandoned sometime between 350 to 850 A.D. Also at the park is the restored Smurthwaite House, named after one of the families who owned it. Built in 1897, it was restored then moved here in 1994. It is an excellent example of Shingle Style architecture and the only one left in the city. It houses the park's office and also serves as a repository for research. Both the park and the house are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, in 2007 and 2001, respectively. 

Loretta was born in Halleck, Elko County, Nevada on July 29, 1875.[1] At the time of her birth, her father was enlisted in the U.S. Army. The family remained in California and Loretta’s father was transferred from post to post.[2] 	Loretta had moved to Phoenix, Arizona by 1890 and went to school to become a teacher. Newspapers describe a young lady who enjoyed her friends and travelled to Prescott during the summer with her sister Adele.[3]	She would marry Samuel John McDonald, a stockman, on August 27, 1900.[4] The couple had no children and Loretta’s health began to decline after she developed tuberculosis. She died May 12, 1902 surrounded by her family.[5]

Loretta was born 1875 in Nevada. Her father, a career military man, moved the family continuously in California from one military post to another. Loretta moved to Phoenix and attended Tempe Normal School (ASU) and became a teacher. She married Samuel McDonald in 1900.  Loretta developed tuberculosis and died May 12, 1902.

Loretta Huntington McDonald

Martha was born August 4,1829 in Ohio.[1] She married Benjamin Beatty in 1851 and lived in Iowa for many years where he was a successful merchant.[2]. Although the couple had no children, they adopted a girl by the name of Blanche. They saw to her education and she would become a teacher.[3]	Martha was a widow by 1885 and was suffering from tuberculosis. She came to Phoenix around 1889 and purchased 10 acres. She continued to add to her property holdings and by 1900 owned her own home near downtown Phoenix.[4] 	Since it would have been very difficult for a feeble, elderly woman to heat water, fill and empty a bathtub in her own kitchen, Martha took her baths at Frank Shirley's Tonsorial Parlor (barbershop) in the basement of Goodman's Drug Store. The Tonsorial Parlor rented curtained cubicles for bathing, as most private residences of the time did not yet have indoor plumbing. When Martha visited the baths, she was usually accompanied by Mrs. S. J. Conley who would assist her.	On August 9, 1902, Martha went to the bathhouse, having arranged with Mrs. Conley to meet her there at 1 PM. However, Mrs. Conley was delayed and did not arrive until 2 PM. Imagine her horror when she entered the cubicle only to find Martha lying on her side with her face completely under the surface of the water. Dr. Plath was sent for, but efforts to revive Martha failed. The coroner's jury ruled Martha most likely fainted because of the hot water and drowned.[5]	Martha left her estate valued at $3300 to Lincoln University in Lincoln, Illinois. Her marker was inscribed "Patron of Education."[6]

Martha was born 1829 in Ohio. She married in 1851 and lived in Iowa for many years. By the age of 60 she was a widow, suffering from tuberculosis. Like many others during that time, she moved to Phoenix. The warm climate was more beneficial in the treatment of TB. Martha however drowned on August 9, 1902 in a bathtub. Her estate valued at $3300 was left to Lincoln University in Illinois.

Martha Richey Beatty

Mary Florence Mann was born 1841 is Oswego, New York to Daniel and Jane Card. She used her middle name of Florence throughout her life. She attended Oswego Normal and Training School and received a teaching certificate in 1863.[1] Florence married Dr. Henry Mann and they located to Indiana. The marriage appears not to have worked and there were no children. Florence was teaching in Phoenix by 1890.She was appointed Principal of the West End School in Phoenix. This school was built over the original location of the first Phoenix cemetery. That cemetery was moved to the location Florence is now buried in 1884. She was progressive in her ideas and started a night school to accommodate students who could not attend during the day.Florence was a prolific artist who did paint under her true name of Mary Mann. Her probate listed a number of paintings among her assets.

Florence, as she was known, was born 1841 in New York. She attended Oswego Normal School and became a teacher in 1867. Florence taught in Indiana and by 1890 was in Phoenix.  She was appointed Principal of the West End School where she implemented night school for students. She retired in 1894, but continued to teach at night.  On March 22, 1897 she was on her way to meet students when she suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and died. Florence's burial location in City Loosley Cemetery is unknown.  In 2020, Pioneers' Cemetery Association created a cenotaph garden where a brick will be placed in her memory.

Mary "Florence" Card Mann

Anne was born January 28, 1865 in Henry County, Illinois to Peleg Stone Perley and Nancy Eliza Morrison. Her father Peleg was a teacher prior to becoming a lawyer and practicing law in Henry, Illinois. He was for years the Postmaster in that city. Anne was employed by her father as a postal clerk in 1883.[1]  Anne had three siblings: Bruce, Grace and Harriet (known as Polly). The family moved to Arizona where Anne’s father could continue his legal career in a milder climate.	Anne came from a family of teachers. Her grandfather, Nathanial Perley, was an educator for over 30 years.[2]  Anne attended Washington University, College of Fine Arts in St. Louis in 1887 and would also become a teacher in Arizona.	Anne travelled to Tombstone in January 1892 to temporarily take the position of Assistant Principal at Tombstone High School [3] and returned to Phoenix in June of 1892. She would then became the Assistant Principal at the old Central School, 201 N. Central.	Anne remained in Phoenix teaching until after the death of her parents. Her father in 1898 and her mother in 1900. She went to teach in Bisbee, Arizona and returned to Phoenix in 1903.  Anne then left Arizona for New York and went on to teach in Puerto Rico, arriving September 1909 on the Steamship Coamo.[4] She was living in Pueblo Norte, Aibonito in 1910 teaching school.	Anne may have had the ability to speak Spanish from her time in Arizona, making this job an excellent opportunity. Puerto Rico had been newly acquired by the United States from Spain in 1898. The Foraker Act in 1901 implemented the standard for education in Puerto Rico where English was the primary teaching language.[5]	It is not known how long Anne stayed in Puerto Rico teaching, however when she came back to New York she was fluent in Spanish. Anne was living in Brooklyn, New York by 1920 and working as a translator for an export business.[6]	Anne became was still living in Brooklyn in 1930 when she became ill and was sent to a private sanitarium in Stamford, Connecticut. She died on May 23, 1932.[7] Her sister Grace arranged for her cremains to be returned to Arizona where she was then buried with her parents in Porter Cemetery.

Anne graduated from Washington University with a teaching degree in 1887 at the age of 22. She came to Arizona where she taught in Bisbee, Tombstone and Phoenix. She was the principal of Old Central School in Phoenix by 1892.  Anne became fluent in Spanish and this skill would benefit her when she went to Puerto Rico in 1909 to teach. Anne would eventually work in New York as a translator.  In 1930 Anne was in a sanitarium in Connecticut. She died from unknown causes May 23, 1932. Her cremains were returned to Phoenix for burial in the family plot.

Anne Morrison Perley

Mary was born December 21, 1878 in Arizona to William and Mary. Mary’s father was a rancher whose land is now part of Perry Mesa within the Agua Fria National Monument. When he died in 1929, his ashes were scattered over Perry Mesa. Mary was one of nine children according to a homestead her father filed in 1889.[1] 	Mary and sisters Grace, Maud, Agnes and Charlotte “Lottie” would attend Tempe Normal (now Arizona State University).[2] It is obvious education for women was valued in the Perry household. Mary would graduate in 1899 and become a teacher. One of her first teaching posts would be in Arizola, Arizona.	Mary would often visit friends and on one such occasion she was at the Bellamy Ranch near Globe, Arizona. There had been a mountain lion in the area causing problems for some time. The story was told that Mary was on her way from the ranch one day and the lion appeared in her path. Afraid and alone, Mary was certain that she was going to be attacked. She suddenly remembered reading about the “power of the human eyes on savage beasts.” Mary looked the lion in the eyes and it turned and fled.[3]	Mary was teaching in Cordes, Arizona when she met Joseph Rueben Bassett.[4] Joseph was a cowboy and worked as a cattle herder on a ranch nearby. The couple was married in Phoenix on April 17, 1902.	On January 24, 1903 the couple was living in Safford, Arizona and welcomed a son, Walter, into their household. Mary’s delivery was obviously difficult as she died on February 4, 1903 in Safford, childbirth listed as the cause. Mary was buried in Masons Cemetery Phoenix, Arizona.[5]

Angie was born 1876 in Kansas to Ray and Sarah. Her father died in 1882, leaving her mother with two young children, her sister Raye born after his death. Angie’s mother did not remarry, indicating perhaps that she had sufficient means to raise two children.	Angie began attending Oswego College for Young Ladies in 1893 and obtained a teaching certificate.[1]  At some time, Angie joined the Royal Neighbors Society. The society was a progressive women’s fraternal benefit association established in 1895 and an auxiliary to Modern Woodmen of America. The organization focused on assisting women and children in need and offering life insurance for women. An option never before available to women. Royal Neighbor is now the largest women-led life insurers in the country.[2]	In April 1898 Angie became quite sick while teaching in Fort Scott. Her mother Sarah arrived to take care of her. She recovered and in November 1898 her mother left for Arizona to visit relatives and remained. Angie remained in Fort Scott at the home of an uncle, but later joined her mother.[3] 	Angie came to Arizona primarily because of her health. Unfortunately she developed typhoid and died December 30, 1899.

Angie was born 1876 in Kansas. Angie attended Oswego College for young ladies in 1893 and earned a teaching certificate.  She joined the Royal Neighbors Society, an auxiliary of the Modern Woodmen of America. The association provided insurance for women, which was not an option normally available to them. Angie's health began to decline and she moved to Arizona.  She contracted typhoid and died on December 30, 1899.

Angeline "Angie" Piper

Maude was born June 21, 1864 in Michigan to Dr. Alexander and Delilah.[1] Maude’s father was a practicing Homeopathic doctor until his death at the age of 79 in 1902.[2] Maude was one of ten children. Her sister Hannah became a physician like her father and sister Fannie a teacher.	Maude became a teacher in 1882 [3] and eventually became an educator of teachers at Michigan State Normal School (now Eastern Michigan University) for several years.<a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">[</a>4] She then transferred to Whitewater Normal School (now University of Wisconsin) around 1897 and was secretary of the teachers association. 	Sister Delilah had married George Homer Jones in 1874 and on December 12, 1898 he suddenly died at the home of his mother in Michigan. Delilah then travelled to Phoenix, Arizona in September 1899 with Maude who had been suffering from tubercular laryngitis.	Maude had been hoping for a recovery of her disease like so many others who came to Phoenix during that time. However on December 26, 1899, Maude died at the home of her sister Delilah in Phoenix.[5]

Maude was born 1864 in Michigan. She received her teaching certificate in 1882.  In 1889 Maude was the Principal of Michigan State University.  Maude developed tubercular laryngitis and came to Arizona in hopes of recovering. However on December 26, 1899 she succumbed to the disease.

Maude Ball

Jacob Waltz, The Lost Dutchman, was born in Germany about 1810 and immigrated to the United States in 1839.[1] He migrated to California perhaps like so many in the hopes of finding gold. In 1861 he was naturalized while living in Los Angeles.[2] Jacob arrived in Arizona and was settled in Phoenix by 1864. He was described as a farmer on early census records.[3] Jacob pursued mining and farmed along the Salt River, selling eggs and poultry. His primary interest though was prospecting and he traveled frequently to the Superstition Mountains east of Phoenix. Jacob would occasionally show back up in town with amounts of gold. Speculation of where Jacob obtained the ore only grew with time.  When a great flood occurred along the Salt River in 1891, Jacob’s property was destroyed. He himself was rescued from a tree. Wet and cold he was taken in by Julia Thomas’, a friend. Jacob was 81 years old by this time. Julia may have hoped for payment, but Jacob was without funds. Instead he supposedly described to her where to find his gold mine. Jacob died on October 25, 1891.[4] He is buried in City Loosley Cemetery at Pioneer and Military Memorial Park. Julia now claimed that Jacob had told her where his mine was located in the Superstitions. She and others tried to find it without success. This began the mystery of the Lost Dutchman’s gold and the continued pursuit through time by others to find the mine. Many of those prospectors met violent deaths.[5]

The story of Jacob Waltz, The Lost Dutchman and his gold mine, has become a mystery of which movies, TV shows and books have been written since his death in 1891. All trying to answer the question "Where is Jacob's gold mine in the Superstition Mountains?" The lure to find his gold has brought people from all over to come and search for the mine. Some of those adventurers have become lost, died or never found. When Jacob died, he was buried in an unmarked grave in City Loosley cemetery. His now marked grave is visited frequently with many an admirer leaving several coins behind. Jacob would no doubt be pleased.

Pioneer and Military Memorial Park

Mary Perry Bassett

Introduction

Images

Backstory and Context

Sources

Additional Information