 Henry Sayers, about 1832 – 1879 A “Sporting” Character Buried in City-Loosley Cemetery, Block 17, Lot 20 (Grave marker photo courtesy of Tom Yount) Known as “Dublin” or “Dublin Tricks," Sayers was a colorful and savvy part of the gritty fabric of pioneer life.
Henry “Harry” Sayers was born in Ireland around 1832. He would have been a teen or young adult when the Irish Potato Famine devastated that country and he emigrated. He was working as a plumber in New York in 1858, when he enlisted in Company E, 5th United States Infantry. In 1860, he was stationed in Albuquerque, New Mexico. His first enlistment concluded when he was discharged at Los Piños, New Mexico Territory, in 1863. Evidently Sayers reenlisted, as the 1870 federal census records him as a regular Army soldier, part of a large garrison stationed at Fort Bowie, Apache Pass, Pima County, Arizona Territory. The pay might not have been much, but the Army provided companionship with other Irish-born soldiers, some adventure, and a steady livelihood. After his Army years, Sayers settled in Phoenix, where he became known as a "sporting" character and amateur pugilist. In 1873, he placed an ad in a local newspaper offering to fight any man in the Arizona Territory in a prize match under London Prize Ring rules, with $1,000 wagered on each side. His military service had enabled him to become a naturalized citizen, for he registered to vote in Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona Territory, on October 14, 1876. By 1878, he had established a feed, exchange, and sales stable adjacent to a local flour mill. Next door to the stable was his bar, advertising the “best liquor and cigars." Following Harry Sayers’ death on June 28, 1879, his estate was administered by R. P. Hilands, who arranged to liquidate his estate. Originally buried in the Old Phoenix Cemetery, Sayers’ remains were relocated to City-Loosley Cemetery when the new cemetery was established in 1884. Unlike many early Phoenix residents, Sayers had a grave marker that was moved with him. During PMMP's 2025 preservation event, his headstone was found in Loosley with its top portion broken off and lying face-up on the ground. After careful probing, preservation volunteers discovered the base about a foot underground. It was brought back to the surface for restoration work. The maker's mark confirmed that the marble headstone had been made in Tucson, adding another historic layer to this pioneer’s enduring story in Arizona. Watch the accompanying video to see this restoration: https://youtu.be/LT0atA4YVFY © 2025 by Val Wilson. Last revised 30 June 2025. If you would like assistance researching our interred, you can find more information on our website. You can contact us at [email protected] at any time. Thank you for your interest to preserve the history of Arizona's pioneers!
0 Comments
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |