Join Arizona author and historian, David Grasse, for a presentation about the 1899 Murders of Rodgers and Wingfield in Camp Verde.
Born in Casa Grande, David Grassé is a third-generation Arizonian, raised in Tucson. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in History and a Master’s Degree in Library Sciences. Grassé has five published books, A Killer is What They Needed: The True, Untold Story of Commodore Perry Owens, The Bisbee Massacre: Robbery, Murder and Retribution in the Arizona Territory, 1883–1884, and The True Story of Notorious Arizona Outlaw Augustine Chacón, From the Footlights to the Tenderloin: The Tragic Life of Actress Edna Loftus, and The Red Light Districts of Tucson, 1870 - 1918 . He is also the author of numerous magazine, newspaper, and journal articles. Grasse is a member of The Wild West History Association, and The Arizona Historical Society. He is employed as a reference librarian as writing western history does not pay the bills.
The story of the Rodgers/Wingfield murders have fascinated Old West historians and authors for some time due to its connection with the infamous outlaw Thomas "Black Jack" Ketchum. Many believe Ketchum was the murderer of Rodgers and Wingfield, and the circumstantial evidence is compelling, but it is not conclusive. After presenting the evidence in the case, Grassé will briefly examine the arguments for and against Ketchum's involvement.
The library’s next free Special Concert Series is Thursday, August 27th from 5:00- 6:30 pm, featuring Chris Grieve. The Concert Series occurs on the 4th Thursday of the month, with a different local band or solo artist playing their music in the library's Fireside Room.
Chris Grieve is originally from the UK and moved to America in 2015, and you can hear the UK influence in Chris's Music. Although musically an 80's fan Chris knows it's important to keep up to date with new artists so his playlist extends from the 80's to today, and although deeply influenced by the usual guitar singer songwriter you will also find a refreshing divergence to his musical styles and musical interpretations