Comments on: Pinal City Cemetery

By: Erin

Erin — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 04:41:23 +0000

I have long delayed replying to these most recent comments because I was hoping to get some definitive answers about some of the issues surrounding the Pinal City Cemetery. Unfortunately, I came up empty-handed, though I have not given up.

Stacie – Thanks for sharing the information about the “Pinal Drill” paper. I bet that could come in handy for people trying to find family members. I hope someone can help with information about Middleton and Rutledge.

Wow, Les, with all your help we will have all of the information about the involved parties from that infamous day at the OK Corral. Thank you for sharing these tidbits.

Patricia, it sure doesn’t sound like Mr. Matthews would have been buried in this cemetery. You might have better luck at the similarly named Pinal Cemetery which is near Miami, AZ. There is a local historian, George Brunson, who might be able to help you – he has been photographing the headstones at Pinal Cemetery in order to create a record of burials. Perhaps you can e-mail him for assistance: dadbruns@msn.com

And last but not least, it is great news that there is a proposal in the works for the preservation of Pinal City Cemetery. Vincent and Les (and the rest of us) share an enthusiasm for the site and its story which is wonderful. Vincent, we’d all sure love to have more information about the proposal.

I know that when concerned and interested citizens work with government entities they can accomplish amazing things. So, if you have an avid interest in this cemetery, and the history that is entombed there, please let the land managers know. You can call the District Office in Phoenix at (602) 225-5200.

By: Vincent

Vincent — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 17:02:09 +0000

Replying to Les. It doesn’t matter if a site located on public lands existed prior to Federal or State laws. Those laws are designed to protect these cultural resources.

By: Patricia Welch

Patricia Welch — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 18:41:28 +0000

Has anyone seen a grave marking or headstone for a Matthews; I”m not sure of the first name. Maybe James or John. I recently learned my Great Grandfather died in Miami and was buried in Pinal City. Please foreward any info. Thank You. Patricia

By: les

les — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 21:16:10 +0000

where did you aquire your information from ? may I ask…This cemetery was here long before there was any Federal or State rules, regulation, and laws were established.

By: Vincent

Vincent — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 22:16:30 +0000

The Mattie Earp memorial at the Pinal Cemetery was not vandalized; it was removed. The cemetery is located on federal property and people are not free to erect whatever monuments they want. There is a process for dealing with gravesites and cemeteries, which are protected by state and federal laws. In this case, these laws have been repeatedly disregarded and continued activity at the Pinal Cemetery has led to further desecration of other graves within the cemetery. There is currently a proposal being developed that will assist in preservation of the cemetery. Unlike past efforts, this will be done legally and ethically. I would caution anyone planning anything at that site without obtaining proper permission. Please feel free to forward this message to Mr. Papaianni.

By: Lester M. Griffith

Lester M. Griffith — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 18:09:13 +0000

I read an article in a book a friend of mine gave to me, and was surprised to find that Ike clanton was shot and killed by a detective Jonas V. Brighton for cattle-rustling. he was buried on june 1st, 1887 under a cotton-wood tree at Jim Wilson’s Ranch, on Eagle Creek, south of Springerville,Az… les

By: Stacie Reichwald

Stacie Reichwald — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 17:10:03 +0000

Hello once again. We went back up yesterday April 20th to find the city of Pinal. I guess we where on the wrong side of the 60. We are going back up on Thursday to see if we get diffrent results. This place has really sparked an intrest in my family and we are trying to find as much information as we can. I did learn that the city was populated by 2000+. There was a news paper called “The Pinal Drill” I found a copy of one of the 1st ones for sale as well as copies held by ASU and some down in Tucson. There was also a census taken I found in 1880 1900. Also found 2 families looking for information on Middelton and Rutledge if anyone knows any thing on these families.
Thanks
Stacie

By: Erin

Erin — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 21:24:18 +0000

Thanks for the information about Big Nose Kate, Lester. I had no idea she was also buried here in Arizona. Have fun in Colorado this summer!

Michael, thank you for your recent update about Mattie Earp’s grave. After all the work you put into the memorial I understand how you must feel about its destruction! I have emailed the Superior Chamber of Commerce in hopes of finding out more about the status of the memorial and the Friends group (I will post all the details as soon as I find out more). Thanks again!

By: Lester M. Griffith

Lester M. Griffith — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 17:29:08 +0000

do you know that John Henry ( doc ) holiday’s common law wife Mary Katherine Horony ( big nose kate ) was buried on november 6th,1940 under the name of ” Mary K.Cummings ” below a modest marker in the Arizona Pioneer Home Cemetery,Prescott , Az. wife and i took pictures of her grave site.
This summer we are going to Glenwood Springs, Colorado to visit Doc Holliday’s grave site, and take some pictures.
The wife retires next april, and we want to go to visit WYATT EARP’S grave site, antake pictures… les n cathy

By: micheal papaianni

micheal papaianni — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 07:12:12 +0000

hello- i am the person who designed the memorial for Mattie’s gravesite and put it up. i was very upset about the desecration of the grave and am still investigating who is responsible. the town of Superior has been very supportive and we have started a group called Friends of Mattie Earp to rededicate a memorial this July 3rd, 122 years after her demise. more info can be obtained at Chamber of Commerce in Superior. mp