Tribute to 'Old Bill'

A Tribute to 'Old Bill' Highway Foreman Fulfills Final Wish of Colorful Figure of Old West By HARRELL GANNAWAY

OUR grand old pioneer's are fast disappearing, the landmarks of our glorious west are rapidly giving away to the march of progress, but one finds throughout our state people who are vitally interested in preserving both legend and landmarks. One loyal Arizonan in particular is doing his bit to inscribe their names on the pages of our history books, and to preserve their final resting places for the generaltions to come.

This man, himself a pioneer, is James L. Edwards, State Highway Maintenance Foreman, stationed at Salome. To him is given the credit for the restoration of the cemetery at Ehrenburg, the monument to Hi Jolly at Quartzsite, and the fulfillment of a request of one of Arizona's most colorful figures, that of William (Old Bill) Bear.

Bill Bear came to Arizona in the early days as a government scout. It is said that he served as postmaster when the town of Harrisburg was inhabited but this report is not substantiated.

Old Bill died in Yuma in 1920 at the age of 85, leaving a most unusual request; that his remains be carried to the Harrisburg cemetery by a burro and buried beside his wife, Mary, and a marker be erected one hundred years from the date of his birth.

He was buried temporarily at Yuma, and in the development of the West and the passing of many of his friends, the removal of his remains to a permanent grave was delayed.

In the meantime the Harrisburg cemetery was almost forgotten, it became covered with weeds and desert flora. Several years ago the state sold a parcel of land to a goat ranchcr, not knowing that it contained the burial grounds. The rancher, "Goat" Neff, in taking possession, found the early-day grave and immediately notified state officials.

Edwards and his crew of maintenance men set to work to restore another of the state's historic landmarks, and to erect a fitting monument to the trail blazers.

A score of graves were found, several unmarked, others having elaborate marble headstones, typical of the early 80's. Friends of Bill Bear had erected a marker to his wife in the center of the cemetery, being unable to determine her grave. This was moved when her grave (Continued on Page 18)