Arizona history-Jan. 16-22

Sunday, Jan. 16 On this date in 1900, the Gila Valley Bank, predecessor of the Valley National Bank, opened its doors in Solomonville. Monday, Jan. 17 On this date in 1805, Spanish troops, commanded by Lt. Antonio Narbona, invaded Canyon de Chelly, killing 93 Navajo warriors and 45 women and children. Tuesday, Jan. 18 On this date in 1854, the General Jessup river steamer was the first to reach the Black Canyon on the Colorado River. The winning entry was submitted by John Claw, Jr. Wednesday, Jan. 19 On this date in 1895, the Nogales Oasis newspaper noted that in Phoenix, “there are now several restaurants offering a square meal for the sum of 15 cents.” On this date in 1921, the Phoenix Police chief issued an order that all pedestrians on the street after 8 p.m. were to be stopped and searched for concealed weapons in an effort to combat crime. On this date in 1870, the Weekly Arizonan made the somewhat puzzling statement that “business is, today, at a higher ebb than it ever before reached in Tucson.” On this date in 1903, a head-on collision of the Southern Pacific east and west bound passenger trains at Vail Station killed 22 people and injured 45.