The Coconino sun., 1927-06-03
SAM BLACK, FLAGSTAFF
PIONEER, DIED MONDAY

This community last Monday morn
ing lost in the death of Samuel Craft
Black, one of it's "old timers" and
most respected citizens, and his pass
ing leaves one less of the sturdy pio-
neers who had so much to do with the
molding of the state of Arizona and
who watched Flagstaff grow from q
tiny village to sturdy and prominent
city.
He died Monday morning at 11:55
at his home on West Birch avenue,
the immediate cause Of death being
pneumonia. He was nearly rs years
of age, but was in apparently excel
lent health until a week ago last Sat-
urday, when he went horseback rid
ing. He was taken violently i'll that
night at the home of his son-in-law,
Clarence Sullivan, near this city. He
was brought to Flagstaff next day to
his home, where he remained until
his death. Up until he died he recog-
nized his family and was able to con-
verse with them, and bore his illness
with great forbearance. Although
pneumonia was the cause Of death it
was brought about by his weakened
condition resulting from the violent
exercise of horseback riding, which in
late years he was not used to.
The funeral was held Wednesday
afternoon at 2:30, at the family home.
Rev. II. f. Softley paid the last trib-
utes. Interment was in the Odd Fell
lows cemetery, as Mr.. Black had been
member of that order for the past
25 years, always an active and willing
worker for the good of the lodge. Last
respects were paid by large gather
ing of friends and neighbors.
Samuel Black was born in Virginia,
November 5, 1852, and in company
with his parents moved to Kansas at
the age Of six. His favorite story was
how the long trip was made overland
with team of horses and a prairie
schooner. His parents were Of hardy
pioneer stock and took up their resi-
dence in Kansas when it had hardly
been touched by a plow. He was one
of a family of IL children, two sisters
and four brothers still surviving.
He was married March 10, 1873, IN
Kansas to Miss Mary Jane Taylor and
to this union five children were born,
all of whom are living. Five years
after their marriage the young couple
moved to this vicinity, coming on the
then Atlantic & Pacific railroad which
had just been laid the preceding spring
through Flagstaff.
The first year in this new country,
Mr.. Black spent in hauling water to
Flagstaff from Fort Valley at the
price Of one dollar barrel. Later he
engaged in teaming, following with
farming and ranching, in which occu-
pations he was intermittentiy en-
gagged until two years ago when he
sold his farm located about three
miles south of this city. Although a
farmer by heritage and choice, this
life was interrupted for several years
while he was engaged in public office
in this community. He was night
marshal of the town for four years,
later day marshal, for two years. In
1906, Mr.. Black joined the territorial
rangers, and was connected with that
well-known and colorful organization
until it was disbanded by law in 1903.
Survivors of the deceased are his
widow and five children: Bernard
Black, Mrs. Al Kinsey, Mrs. Don
Chisholm, Mrs. G. w. Sullivan and s.
Claude Black, all living in or near this
city. Brothers and sisters are Mrs.
Priscilla Raudebaugh and M. A. Black
of Flagstaff; M. T. Black, Mrs. Mary
e. Vail and Robert Black, Culver City,
Calf, and w. D. Black of San Fran
cisco.
"Sam" Black was genial, honest,
likable man, true in his friendships
and loved by his many friends