Posted on 09/09/2017 9:02:48 AM PDT by SandRat
OMBSTONE — What was it like to be a soldier in the country’s post-Civil War frontier forts?
Perhaps Lt. Col. Josias King summed it up best when he wrote, “We are about 1,000 miles from nowhere excepting it be the verges of Hell…”
Historical accounts of soldiers from the mid- to late-1800s — the trials, tribulations and sacrifices, as well as the significant roles they played in pacifying the west — are some of the stories that are likely to be shared through Tombstone Territorial Days, on Sept. 16 and 17.
This year’s theme — Five Flags Over Arizona — recognizes the flags of Spain and Mexico as well as the Union, Confederate and the Arizona state flags.
Territorial Days is organized by Tombstone Forward, a group of merchants dedicated to promoting the town and its intriguing history. Free and open to the public this educational family-friendly event is now in its third year. While Sept. 16 and 17 activities are for the public, organizers also established School Day on Sept. 15, a special event for seventh and eighth graders.
“Ten stations will be set up at the old high school football field between Sixth and Ninth streets along Allen,” said Norma Sullivan, a now-retired teacher who organizes the the school activities. “I will be presenting at the territorial school room station.”
Examples of some of the stations include:
Infantry — participants come as period dressed soldiers with authentic weapons from the 1800s and talk about the era’s cavalry and infantrymen.
Territorial-style classroom with 1800s decor.
Buffalo Soldiers will share the history of the African American soldiers who had a major historic impact in this area.
Saturday Sept. 16 events:
Three professional stuntmen are coming to Tombstone for Territorial Days and will be performing at different times on Friday and Saturday in a parking lot near the OK Corral,” said Sunny Quatchon, vice president of Tombstone Forward and the Territorial Days event coordinator.
“Will Roberts is a Hollywood stuntman and a Genesis World Record holder for the fast draw,” she said. “D.R. Buck Montgomery, a stuntman, actor, artist and storyteller will be here, as well as Lee Anderson and his wonder-horse, Concho,” she said.
The Tombstone Territorial Days Grand Ball is Saturday night at 6 p.m. at Schieffelin Hall. Music will be performed by Southbound Routes out of Colorado, featuring period-correct selections. Cost is $15 for singles and $25 for couples.
Tombstone Forward President Gordon Anderson said having the formal dance at Schieffelin Hall will add to the event’s elegance and give it a more intimate feel than past balls which were held in school gymnasiums.
“I’m really thrilled with how this event is coming together,” Anderson said. “We have the three Hollywood cowboys, all of them world-class actors. We’ve got Schieffelin Hall for our dance and we have the Tombstone High School mounted color guard for our parade and we have the Buena High School Band.”
Doors open at 6 p.m., with the ball’s grand march starting at 7 p.m.
Sunday Sept. 17
Sunday’s activities start with a non-motorized parade that kicks-off at noon, with entries checking in and lining up around Sixth and Allen streets.
An old-time baseball game, with a Bisbee team playing a team from Tucson, will be held at the old high school football field.
The parade is free and applications can be accessed online by going to the Tombstone Forward website at tombstoneforward.com, click on the event page, then look for Tombstone Territorial Days. While it’s possible to enter the day of the parade organizers recommend registering ahead of the event, if possible.
“I think it’s going to be an entertaining, informative weekend where folks can find all kinds fun facts about Tombstone’s territorial era and have fun doing it,” said Anderson.
For information about Tombstone Territorial Days contact Quatchon at 520-457-3707.
Sounds like quite the to-do. Wish I was still in the AO, it would be a fun day and the reenactors will add a lot to the experience.
Unless, of course, the SJW types show up from the UofA to ruin it for everyone....
We went to Tombstone on a sleepy Wednesday afternoon when no events were planned and nothing special was happening. I was deeply impressed. It was not the tourist trap I expected. The Birdcage and Boothill Cemetary were especially fascinating and well worth the two hundred mile detour.
Just South of Tombstone is the John Slaughter ranch, now open to the public.
Texas John Slaughter cleaned up Tombstone - and was such a badass that Geronimo, the feared Apache warrior gave Tombstone a wide berth as he was afraid of Texas John.
A lot of Olde West history in the area that can still be seen today.
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