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Arizona
Pioneer & Cemetery Research
Project
Internet
Presentation
Version
011809
William “Kentuck” Bell was born in Kentucky, it is
believed his birth year was 1835. Married to Sarah
Ashby and had a daughter, Rethilda age 1yr.
old. Neither, Ashby nor Rethilda were listed in the 1880 census in
Kentucky. History does not provide an
answer as to what happened to his wife and child, or a reason for him to move
west. In the 1870’s William Bell headed west to seek his fame and fortune.
William enlisted in the Confederate
Army on September 5, 1862. Based on information gained from a photograph of his
original headstone, William served in the civil war as a Corporal in Co. E. 35th
KY. Mounted Infantry. Kentuck was honorably discharged.
“Kentuck” as he was referred to by
local residents, built this cabin and lived at “Kentuck’s Cabin” until he died
on June 17, 1910. George Bigler and his wife were the last occupants of
Kentuck’s cabin, residing there until the late 1960’s, after that the cabin was
torn down by the Forest Service. Some evidence of his structures still remain
and are recognizable upon close detailed inspection.
Al Francis residing at Fort Misery
approximately ½ mile north and Burro John, residing approximately 1/3rd mile
south, buried “Kentuck” after he died up on a hill to the east across from his
cabin and were responsible for putting up “Kentuck’s” original military veteran
style headstone. The headstone was shipped to Crown King and hauled to the
grave site by Al Frances. Over years of neglect, elements as well as cattle and
wild life the original headstone is no longer there or has decayed, melting
back to mother earth.
Original Headstone
The remains of the cabin are located
along Crown King Trail, south of Ft. Misery and north of Burro John’s on Humbug
Creek. Originally “Kentuck’s” cabin had two stories.
Often photographs of Fort Misery
mistakenly show a photo of “Kentuck’s Cabin” as Fort Misery. They are not one
in the same locations – although somewhat close to each other. It is believed
Kentuck was a miner along with many other trades and worked the mine to the
east of his residence plus numerous other mines in the area.
Al Francis is buried in the Historic Walnut
Grove Cemetery on the Wagoner Road.
History does not provide information
for the adult male, adult woman, and female child buried just to the south of
Kentuck’s former cabin on the west side of Humbug Creek.
The Arizona Pioneer & Cemetery
Research Project (APCRP) has been instrumental in locating abandoned derelict
graves of our ancestors. Once found APCRP recruits volunteers interested
in preserving this museums of our heritage. APCRP
can make and replace
missing headstones.
L-R, Darrel Steffen, Jose and Judy Borrajero, Barb
Steffen
Photo by: Neal Du Shane
L-R, Darrel Steffen, Jose and Judy Borrajero, Barb
Steffen
Photo by: Neal Du Shane 1/15/09
Placing the new headstone on January 15,
2009 at the grave of William “Kentuck” Bell. Work was completed to outline the perimeter
of William’s grave and to place rocks in the configuration of a cross to mark
the exact location.
Please help preserve this grave
- police the area when you visit this historic museum of our heritage.
Photo by: Neal Du Shane
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L  |
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Four Photo's above by Judy Borrajero 01/15/09
APCRP has been planning to replace this headstone for several years. In the past two years we have been researching this project documenting as much information as possible. Pat Ryland has done an outstanding job finding records and documentation on William "Kentuck" Bell. Last fall Mary Ann Wunderlin, Bonnie Helten, Darrel and Barb Steffen and myself made a sojourn here and located, verified the exact interment. This fall there were two headstone projects taken on by APCRP. One being placing a headstone at the grave site of Jack Swilling and the replacement of William "Kentuck" Bell's headstone. Speculation on what happened to the original headstone is arguable. In fact with the growth of the shrubs in the area it may have toppled by cattle rubbing against it and it is still there within the bushes. We have never had the time or man power to completely research this hill top.
January 15, 2009 APCRP coordinators started from Lake Pleasant with one quick stop at Darrel and Barb's house, we started up Crown King Trail headed for Kentuck's Cabin. (or what is left). We made one stop along the way at "Burro Johns" to revisit the grave of "Wade". The elements had leveled the cross lying flat on the ground, We located the cross and reinstalled it to a metal post that was embedded in the ground. If anyone has information who Wade was or the circumstances for this grave we would be interested in documenting this grave for historical purposes.
Upon arriving at the former Kentuck's Cabin we evaluated the trail up to Kentuck's grave site. Elevation gain is about 80' and the road is approximately 500' long to reach the saddle. Once at the saddle near the top of the climb, the grave is up on a small rise of another 10' on the right. Trail to it is hard to see and find once your at this point. We located the grave and verified this was his actual grave. Cleared and trimmed some weeds and shrubs, defined the parameter of the grave and placed rocks to outline the grave. We also placed a makeshift cross in side the rock parameter, using local rocks to further define the grave for future visitors. We verified William was buried in a Christian manner, in that his grave is facing east. We placed the new headstone at the head of his grave and paid our respects.
We should point out Crown King Trail is not for the faint of Heart. DEFINATELY a 4X4 road with many challenges. Recommend you don't travel this road alone, as it could be a LONG and difficult walk out.
There is currently a grave at Burro
John’s along side Crown King Trail simply marked “Wade 1941 - 2005” on the
white cross.
On 1/15/09 the wooden cross had toppled
and was laying flat on the ground, APCRP reattached it with wire to the metal
post placed in the ground.
Photo by: Neal Du Shane 2008
Research found a fairly large unmarked cemetery
with up to 20 graves at Fort Misery in an island on Humbug Creek. History
provides no research information on these historic Pioneer Cemeteries.
Found William Bell in the 1870 KY.
Census. He was married to Sarah Ashby and had a
daughter, Rethilda age 1yr. old.
Neither of them are in the 1880 census. Something must have happened to his wife and child for
him to move west.
According to the census, he was either
born in 1844 or 1838. He was born in KY. But I haven't found out where. His sister,
Mary Bell, married my Great Grandfather,
William Gardner. Maybe they moved west
with him?
Nancy
Bell, William
Corpl 35th Ky. Infantry, Company E
Kentuck’s VA Claimant’s Affidavit
“That he is the claimant in the above
cited claim and that he incurred the broken arm on account of which pension has
been applied for under the Act of June 27, 1890. At a timber camp about 35
miles west of Pueblo, known as Babcock’s Hole in the state of Colorado July,
1873 under the following circumstances: Working
in the timber making Rail Road Ties, and in falling a tree a limb form another
tree, fell striking him on the arm, dislocating the Elbow, and breaking the
bone of the forearm. There being no doctor or surgeon available the arm had to
get well without medical treatment resulting in a permanent disability, making
him a cripple for life.
Feb 16, 1900: There was no other person present when this accident occurred but another
tie chopper by the name of John Burnes came along about two hours after hand helped
him to camp. He further states that he does not know the present whereabouts of
the said John Burnes.
January 25, 1893
“I must say regarding the dislocation
he had no treatment and in fact refused treatment. His is in fair
circumstances. He drinks, smokes, chew tobacco, rides his horse after stock.
Delay in his case will work no hardship.
Oct. Sept 24th 1898 on
Department of the Interior Bureau of Pensions Wm. Bell states:
1. “I am not married”
2. “I was never married”
3. “No children living or dead”
Signed: William Bell P.O. Box Columbia,
Arizona
March 27, 1900:
GENERAL AFFIDAVIT – George C. Cary, Age
58, Columbia, Yavapai, AZ.
I have known the said Wm. Bell for
about 35 years and as far as I hand know or heard he has lived a quiet,
peaceable, sober and industrious live; thoroughly honest and reliable in every particular.
Moreover this is the uniform opinion and expressions of all his neighbors and acquaintances.
Affiat’s Signature” Geo. C. Cary
March 30, 1900:
GENERAL AFFIDAVIT – Chas. E. Tucker,
Columbia, Yavapai, AZ.
I have know the said Wm. Bell for about
30 years and during all that time I have always considered him a sober,
peaceable and honest man; and further that in the community where he lives and
has lived for years has reputation has been of the highest for integrity,
honesty and reliability. Affiant’s Signature C.E. Tucker
June 2, 1900
GENERAL AFFIDAVIT – W.A. Ryan, Age 42,
Columbia, Yavapai, AZ.
That he is well acquainted with Wm.
Bell applicant for pension above mention and has known him for several years;
that he knew him before and during the whole of the years 1897 and 1898 that
the said W. Bell was suffering from *Catarrh of the head and rheumatism and
after complained of a severe pain in his breast; that he was not able to perform
any steady manual labor on account of these troubles.
*CATARRH; The symptoms that are often
associated with catarrh are listed below.
1. A blocked and stuffy nose.
2. An excessive discharge of mucus from your nose, or
down the back of your throat. The mucus can be thin and watery, or thick and
stodgy.
3. An irritating, persistent cough that is caused by
excess mucous at the back of your throat.
4. Headache.
5. Facial pain that is caused by blockages in your nasal
passages and sinuses (small cavities inside your cheekbones and forehead).
6. Loss of smell and taste Temporary, partial hearing
loss and a crackling sensation in your middle ear.
7. Tiredness.
September 11, 1906 Dr. McDonnell of
Crown King, AZ
I have examined Wm. Bell and find he
has an abscess of the left lung.
Also he is almost deaf – both eardrums
are destroyed.
Wm. Bell is totally disabled.
Wm. Bell states that when he joined the
Army he put his age four years ahead.
Kentuck time line in Arizona;
Oct. 15, 1892 Tip Top – crossed out -
Columbia, AZ
Dec. 23, 1895 Tip Top, AZ
Sept 24th 1898 Columbia, AZ
May 11, 1904 Columbia, AZ
June 16, 1906 Harrington, AZ
GPS COORDINATES: (WGS84 D,M,S) LAT. N34 08 9.11, LONG. W112 21 39.78
Arizona Pioneer
& Cemetery Research Project
Internet
Presentation
Version
011809
WebMaster: Neal Du Shane
Copyright ©2009 Neal Du Shane
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Cemetery Research Project (APCRP).
HOME | BOOSTER | CEMETERIES | EDUCATION | GHOST TOWNS | HEADSTONE
MINOTTO | PICTURES | ROADS | JACK SWILLING | TEN DAY TRAMPS