His death certificate has the place of birth incorrectly as Wisconsin, based on where his family had settled. The 1900 census has New York which was where his family lived in 1850. The 1910 census has Newfoundland because that is where the ship, on which he was born at sea, docked after the trip across the Atlantic.
James' middle initial is "C" because he was born on the ship, 'The Sea'.
An interesting story about James C Bell's involvement in the search for one of the lost mines in northern Arizona can be read at Arizona Lost Mine.
Among those who "blazed the trails" in Arizona long before there was any settlement in the shadow of Pinal mountain is James C. Bell, who came into the territory in 1868 with a party of adventurous spirits, their route being by way of Camp Apache and the Verde valley to Prescott. The party had several thrilling experiences with Indians and wild animals, and were themselves mistaken for Indians by the soldiers at Camp Verde and fired upon repeatedly. Mr. Bell did not remain a great while in Arizona on this his first trip, but went north and participated in many of the mining excitements of those early years. He was at White Pine and Pioche, Nevada, and from the latter camp he went to Alaska in 1874, experiencing obstacles and hardships compared with which the conditions attending the Alaskan hegira of recent years were easy.
Early in 1876 found Bell again in Arizona, and hearing of the rich silver discoveries at the new camp of Globe he lost no time in coming here arriving in March. However, the roving spirit was still strong within him and after staying here a short time hearing that the Adams' diggings had been discovered somewhere in the Mogollon country he with others started with that destination in view, but the rumor proved false and they halted in the Clifton country.
Bell returned to Globe early in June and again hit the trail shortly afterwards.
In 1879 he was with the Hill and Freeman party again in search of the illusory Adams' diggings. The height of the boom at Tombstone found him in pursuit of fortune there. In all his wanderings Bell found no camp or district that appealed to him so strongly as did Globe, and in 1881 he returned to stay. For twenty-five years Mr. Bell has been one of the good citizens of Globe and has followed mining for a livelihood.
Arizona Silver Belt Gila County Az. May 17, 1906
Source: Genealogy Trails
Contributed by LA Powers
The Daily Arizona Silver Belt, April 20, 1917, page 1:
"Another of the pioneers of Globe is dead -- James C. Bell, one of the best known and best loved among the old-timers of Arizona passed away yesterday at his home at the county seat. Mr. Bell was born in Wisconsin 78 years ago. He was a conductor on a railroad in Kansas in 1868 when reports of discoveries of gold in Mexico caused him to come to the great southwest. The mines of New Mexico proved of little value and Mr. Bell and 13 others formed a party to go into Arizona and hunt for the Thorne mine. The route traveled by the party led through the White Mountains, Black River country and Verde Valley. They encountered hostile Apaches. In a fight with the Indians on Black River, which continued for six days, one of the party was killed and five wounded. Having lost their horses during the battle and their food supply nearing exhaustion, they were compelled to continue afoot for 12 days, suffering great hardships. Before they reached the Verde River they were obliged to leave two of their number most severely wounded, behind, after providing for their immediate necessities as best they could. Five miles below Camp Verde and with relief almost within sight, they were fired on by soldiers from the post, who mistook them for Indians. Mr. Bell was with several expeditions in search of fabled lost mines of the southwest in the early days, among the most notable of which were the Adams and Miner parties and Hill and Freeman expedition. He first came to Globe from White Pine, Nevada, in 1876, but remained only a few days. He returned to this district in 1881 and had resided here continuously since. He is survived by three brothers and three sisters."
(Courtesy Bullion Plaza Cultural Center & Museum, Miami, Az.)
Submitted by LA Powers. Thanks!
James' middle initial is "C" because he was born on the ship, 'The Sea'.
An interesting story about James C Bell's involvement in the search for one of the lost mines in northern Arizona can be read at Arizona Lost Mine.
Among those who "blazed the trails" in Arizona long before there was any settlement in the shadow of Pinal mountain is James C. Bell, who came into the territory in 1868 with a party of adventurous spirits, their route being by way of Camp Apache and the Verde valley to Prescott. The party had several thrilling experiences with Indians and wild animals, and were themselves mistaken for Indians by the soldiers at Camp Verde and fired upon repeatedly. Mr. Bell did not remain a great while in Arizona on this his first trip, but went north and participated in many of the mining excitements of those early years. He was at White Pine and Pioche, Nevada, and from the latter camp he went to Alaska in 1874, experiencing obstacles and hardships compared with which the conditions attending the Alaskan hegira of recent years were easy.
Early in 1876 found Bell again in Arizona, and hearing of the rich silver discoveries at the new camp of Globe he lost no time in coming here arriving in March. However, the roving spirit was still strong within him and after staying here a short time hearing that the Adams' diggings had been discovered somewhere in the Mogollon country he with others started with that destination in view, but the rumor proved false and they halted in the Clifton country.
Bell returned to Globe early in June and again hit the trail shortly afterwards.
In 1879 he was with the Hill and Freeman party again in search of the illusory Adams' diggings. The height of the boom at Tombstone found him in pursuit of fortune there. In all his wanderings Bell found no camp or district that appealed to him so strongly as did Globe, and in 1881 he returned to stay. For twenty-five years Mr. Bell has been one of the good citizens of Globe and has followed mining for a livelihood.
Arizona Silver Belt Gila County Az. May 17, 1906
Source: Genealogy Trails
Contributed by LA Powers
The Daily Arizona Silver Belt, April 20, 1917, page 1:
"Another of the pioneers of Globe is dead -- James C. Bell, one of the best known and best loved among the old-timers of Arizona passed away yesterday at his home at the county seat. Mr. Bell was born in Wisconsin 78 years ago. He was a conductor on a railroad in Kansas in 1868 when reports of discoveries of gold in Mexico caused him to come to the great southwest. The mines of New Mexico proved of little value and Mr. Bell and 13 others formed a party to go into Arizona and hunt for the Thorne mine. The route traveled by the party led through the White Mountains, Black River country and Verde Valley. They encountered hostile Apaches. In a fight with the Indians on Black River, which continued for six days, one of the party was killed and five wounded. Having lost their horses during the battle and their food supply nearing exhaustion, they were compelled to continue afoot for 12 days, suffering great hardships. Before they reached the Verde River they were obliged to leave two of their number most severely wounded, behind, after providing for their immediate necessities as best they could. Five miles below Camp Verde and with relief almost within sight, they were fired on by soldiers from the post, who mistook them for Indians. Mr. Bell was with several expeditions in search of fabled lost mines of the southwest in the early days, among the most notable of which were the Adams and Miner parties and Hill and Freeman expedition. He first came to Globe from White Pine, Nevada, in 1876, but remained only a few days. He returned to this district in 1881 and had resided here continuously since. He is survived by three brothers and three sisters."
(Courtesy Bullion Plaza Cultural Center & Museum, Miami, Az.)
Submitted by LA Powers. Thanks!
His death certificate has the place of birth incorrectly as Wisconsin, based on where his family had settled. The 1900 census has New York which was where his family lived in 1850. The 1910 census has Newfoundland because that is where the ship, on which he was born at sea, docked after the trip across the Atlantic.
James' middle initial is "C" because he was born on the ship, 'The Sea'.
An interesting story about James C Bell's involvement in the search for one of the lost mines in northern Arizona can be read at Arizona Lost Mine.
Among those who "blazed the trails" in Arizona long before there was any settlement in the shadow of Pinal mountain is James C. Bell, who came into the territory in 1868 with a party of adventurous spirits, their route being by way of Camp Apache and the Verde valley to Prescott. The party had several thrilling experiences with Indians and wild animals, and were themselves mistaken for Indians by the soldiers at Camp Verde and fired upon repeatedly. Mr. Bell did not remain a great while in Arizona on this his first trip, but went north and participated in many of the mining excitements of those early years. He was at White Pine and Pioche, Nevada, and from the latter camp he went to Alaska in 1874, experiencing obstacles and hardships compared with which the conditions attending the Alaskan hegira of recent years were easy.
Early in 1876 found Bell again in Arizona, and hearing of the rich silver discoveries at the new camp of Globe he lost no time in coming here arriving in March. However, the roving spirit was still strong within him and after staying here a short time hearing that the Adams' diggings had been discovered somewhere in the Mogollon country he with others started with that destination in view, but the rumor proved false and they halted in the Clifton country.
Bell returned to Globe early in June and again hit the trail shortly afterwards.
In 1879 he was with the Hill and Freeman party again in search of the illusory Adams' diggings. The height of the boom at Tombstone found him in pursuit of fortune there. In all his wanderings Bell found no camp or district that appealed to him so strongly as did Globe, and in 1881 he returned to stay. For twenty-five years Mr. Bell has been one of the good citizens of Globe and has followed mining for a livelihood.
Arizona Silver Belt Gila County Az. May 17, 1906
Source: Genealogy Trails
Contributed by LA Powers
The Daily Arizona Silver Belt, April 20, 1917, page 1:
"Another of the pioneers of Globe is dead -- James C. Bell, one of the best known and best loved among the old-timers of Arizona passed away yesterday at his home at the county seat. Mr. Bell was born in Wisconsin 78 years ago. He was a conductor on a railroad in Kansas in 1868 when reports of discoveries of gold in Mexico caused him to come to the great southwest. The mines of New Mexico proved of little value and Mr. Bell and 13 others formed a party to go into Arizona and hunt for the Thorne mine. The route traveled by the party led through the White Mountains, Black River country and Verde Valley. They encountered hostile Apaches. In a fight with the Indians on Black River, which continued for six days, one of the party was killed and five wounded. Having lost their horses during the battle and their food supply nearing exhaustion, they were compelled to continue afoot for 12 days, suffering great hardships. Before they reached the Verde River they were obliged to leave two of their number most severely wounded, behind, after providing for their immediate necessities as best they could. Five miles below Camp Verde and with relief almost within sight, they were fired on by soldiers from the post, who mistook them for Indians. Mr. Bell was with several expeditions in search of fabled lost mines of the southwest in the early days, among the most notable of which were the Adams and Miner parties and Hill and Freeman expedition. He first came to Globe from White Pine, Nevada, in 1876, but remained only a few days. He returned to this district in 1881 and had resided here continuously since. He is survived by three brothers and three sisters."
(Courtesy Bullion Plaza Cultural Center & Museum, Miami, Az.)
Submitted by LA Powers. Thanks!
James' middle initial is "C" because he was born on the ship, 'The Sea'.
An interesting story about James C Bell's involvement in the search for one of the lost mines in northern Arizona can be read at Arizona Lost Mine.
Among those who "blazed the trails" in Arizona long before there was any settlement in the shadow of Pinal mountain is James C. Bell, who came into the territory in 1868 with a party of adventurous spirits, their route being by way of Camp Apache and the Verde valley to Prescott. The party had several thrilling experiences with Indians and wild animals, and were themselves mistaken for Indians by the soldiers at Camp Verde and fired upon repeatedly. Mr. Bell did not remain a great while in Arizona on this his first trip, but went north and participated in many of the mining excitements of those early years. He was at White Pine and Pioche, Nevada, and from the latter camp he went to Alaska in 1874, experiencing obstacles and hardships compared with which the conditions attending the Alaskan hegira of recent years were easy.
Early in 1876 found Bell again in Arizona, and hearing of the rich silver discoveries at the new camp of Globe he lost no time in coming here arriving in March. However, the roving spirit was still strong within him and after staying here a short time hearing that the Adams' diggings had been discovered somewhere in the Mogollon country he with others started with that destination in view, but the rumor proved false and they halted in the Clifton country.
Bell returned to Globe early in June and again hit the trail shortly afterwards.
In 1879 he was with the Hill and Freeman party again in search of the illusory Adams' diggings. The height of the boom at Tombstone found him in pursuit of fortune there. In all his wanderings Bell found no camp or district that appealed to him so strongly as did Globe, and in 1881 he returned to stay. For twenty-five years Mr. Bell has been one of the good citizens of Globe and has followed mining for a livelihood.
Arizona Silver Belt Gila County Az. May 17, 1906
Source: Genealogy Trails
Contributed by LA Powers
The Daily Arizona Silver Belt, April 20, 1917, page 1:
"Another of the pioneers of Globe is dead -- James C. Bell, one of the best known and best loved among the old-timers of Arizona passed away yesterday at his home at the county seat. Mr. Bell was born in Wisconsin 78 years ago. He was a conductor on a railroad in Kansas in 1868 when reports of discoveries of gold in Mexico caused him to come to the great southwest. The mines of New Mexico proved of little value and Mr. Bell and 13 others formed a party to go into Arizona and hunt for the Thorne mine. The route traveled by the party led through the White Mountains, Black River country and Verde Valley. They encountered hostile Apaches. In a fight with the Indians on Black River, which continued for six days, one of the party was killed and five wounded. Having lost their horses during the battle and their food supply nearing exhaustion, they were compelled to continue afoot for 12 days, suffering great hardships. Before they reached the Verde River they were obliged to leave two of their number most severely wounded, behind, after providing for their immediate necessities as best they could. Five miles below Camp Verde and with relief almost within sight, they were fired on by soldiers from the post, who mistook them for Indians. Mr. Bell was with several expeditions in search of fabled lost mines of the southwest in the early days, among the most notable of which were the Adams and Miner parties and Hill and Freeman expedition. He first came to Globe from White Pine, Nevada, in 1876, but remained only a few days. He returned to this district in 1881 and had resided here continuously since. He is survived by three brothers and three sisters."
(Courtesy Bullion Plaza Cultural Center & Museum, Miami, Az.)
Submitted by LA Powers. Thanks!
Family Members
Siblings
Half Siblings
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
