American Pioneer
& Cemetery Research
Project
Version 112408
White Picacho
Mountain
Graves
November
23, 2008 found Kevin Hart, his dog Opy and me, exploring Trilby Wash northwest
of Morristown, Arizona.
For
the past five years, in my research of Jack Swilling this was the location Jack
ventured in his quest to exhume the remains of Col. Jacob Snively.
Kevin Hart and Opy getting ready to head up White Picacho
Mountain.
Nov. 23, 2008
Fate
being what it is, Jacks ability to make boisterous comparative statements
eventually led to his arrest and trial as well as the two others for a Sate
Coach robbery (which they never committed) near Wickenburg. No evidence was found to link Jack and the
other two to the robbery. The three accused were acquitted in Yavapai County
but a legal technicality, in that the robbery happened in Maricopa County, they
were hauled off to Yuma for a second trial. Evidently there was no jail in
Phoenix or Maricopa County at the time. Do to Jack’s extended incarceration and
poor health lead to his death on August 12, 1878 in the Yuma County Jail. A
tragic and untimely end to one of Arizona’s true Pioneers and founders.
APCRP
research has found what we believe to be Jack Swilling’s final resting place in
Yuma. We have also indentified and located the second interment of Col. Jacob
Snively’s in the back yard of the former Jack Swilling Stone house in Black
Canyon City.
History
writing noted several others were killed with Col. Snively on that fateful day
near White Picacho Mountain. Trying to relive the tracks of Jack sojourn, I
have traveled some of the historic route we believe Jack traveled to exhume
Col. Snively’s remains.
Kevin
and I talked to a couple of cowboys a few weeks ago in San Domingo Wash that
gave us an idea where the graves were. We parked at the well on the northwest
side of White Picacho Mountain in Trilby Wash. Proceed to hike to the east
following the cattle trail and vague resemblance of a vehicle road. Stopping
regularly to research what the rods were indicating, we proceed to the “Saddle”
just before it went down the east side.
Graves at White Picacho Mountain, identified by pile of rocks for
headstones
At
such point on the right side of the road/trail we identified five graves. Three
adult male’s to which accompanied Col. Snively and were killed with him do to
Indian attack. We also found a lone woman’s grave and a Cowboy’s grave.
While
the major portion of Col. Jacob Snively was exhumed
by Jack Swilling we found a location that gives reason to believe not all of
Col. Snively’s remains were gathered by Jack Swilling when he was exhumed.
The
Cowboys be met in San Domingo Wash indicated during prohibition there was a
bootleg operation in or at the saddle due to the remoteness of this location,
the cowboys referred to it as “Bootlegger Spring”. Although there is no spring
in the saddle but there is a spring approximately ¾ mile down at Trilby Wash
from this location.
It
is a ¾ mile hike from Trilby Wash with a six percent grade. Lots of washouts
but an easy climb if you follow the cattle trail.
Only
a trained eye will identify the graves or person using dowser can identify
them. They are typical of early western graves in that they are very likely
buried where they died. No formality of alignment as is the standard today.
We
were warned by the Cowboys to watch for Rattlesnakes along the trail but never
saw anything crawling, however it was a cool morning.
American Pioneer
& Cemetery Research
Project
Internet Presentation
Version 112408
WebMaster: Neal Du Shane
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©2003-2008 Neal Du Shane
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