If any one man should be
named
responsible for the settlement of the village we know as Pima, that man
would be William R. Teeples.
Wm Teeples was living in
Holden. Utah when Apostle Erastus Snow came and asked him to act as
captain, to form a company of ten families, to help settle Arizona.
Upon arriving at Forest
Dale
they discovered the Moses Cluff family they had known in Utah. It was
especially good to see these friends, as it was Christmas Eve.
While living in Forest
Dale.
Wm Teeples and five others, upon the advice of Mr. Cooley. went south
to look over the Gila Valley.
Mr. Teeples was much
impressed
with the Valley, the others were not so favorably impressed.
In February he went with
three
others Hyrum Weech. Ben Pearce. John W. Tanner, to again look at the
Valley. All liked what they saw.
After gaining permission
from
the Church Authorities. Wm Teeples again, on March 17, 1879. started to
the Gila Valley. In the company were twenty-eight men. women, and
children, a small enough group, to start the settlement in the Gila
Valley.
These twenty-eight souls
located and founded the town we now call Pima.
Wm R Teeples had not long
to
live in the Town he helped settle He died June 5, 1883. at age
forty-nine His passing left an empty space in the small community that
was difficult to fill.
Wm Teeples was married to
two
wives. Harriet Cook and Caroline Teeples. Each wife had a large family.
20
December 1844 -17 December 1906
1- One of The Founders of Pima
2- First Presiding Elder
3- First Bishop
4- Father of Graham County
5- Served two terms in
Legislature
6- School Board Trustee
7- Rogers Reservoir
8- Carpenter
9- Freighter
10- Father of 21 Children
The above is a brief
summary
of the accomplishments of this man. Joseph Knight Rogers and wife
Josephine and three children, came
to Smithville (Pima) April 8, 1879. He was the Presiding Elder of the
group of 28 who left Cooley's
Ranch with the blessing of President Jesse N. Smith, of Snowflake Stake.
His was one of the first
homes
built, it had a combination roof of willows, tall rush grass, then finer
grass mixed with clay and mud.
lastly dry earth was put on to keep the rain out. A Public well was dug
directly in front of his house for
all to use. On September 26. 1880 he was ordained Bishop of the
Smithville Ward holding this
position until 1883.
J.K. (as he came to be
called)
was elected as member of the House of Representatives and served in the
11th Territorial Legislature. This convened in Prescott January
3.1881. and closed March 12. 1881. He rode on horseback from Pima to
Prescott.
Sister Mary Ransom knitted him a pair of gloves to help protect his
hands.
During this session he
introduced the bill which created Graham County from Pima and Apache
County.
At that time the newly created area comprised what is now Graham and
Greenlee counties. Graham was the first County with an English name,
all the others had Indian names.
J.K. also served in the Legislature which was held in Phoenix in 1897.
From Journals of Arizona 1881 we learn that J.K. voted for
measures he felt would directly benefit or be uplifting to the people he
served. He was always interested
in the community serving as school board trustee, and on the Board of
directors of the canals.
He first owned forty
acres
east of town but since "all land had been taken up." he and his family
took up 680 acres of
land, about one half of this was farming land. Here was constructed the
Roger Reservoir about 1890. On this land also is the Roger Cemetery
where Joseph Knight Rogers was laid to rest December 20.1906.
He had married three
women in
accordance with the law of polygamy. They were Josephine Wall, Louisa
Roseberry and Mary Fuller. He fathered twenty-one children, three of
whom
preceded him in death. Two of his children are living at the day of
this writing, they are: Mary Rogers Payne of Mesa, Arizona, and Susanna
Rogers
Costner still living in Pima, a block away from her father's original
house.
Other descendants still
residing in Pima and Betty Jean Costner Morris and family. Deanna
Rogers Batty and family. Olive Myers Crockett. In Safford.
The Don Preston Family and Helen Crandall.
On October 6, 1845. in
Herefordshire. England, when Hyrum Weech was born, the Weech family had
no indication that part of the family was destined to help settle, the
Great
American West, that land which became part of the State of Arizona.
Not long after Hyrum's birth, events started to shape the future of
this family.
First Mormon missionaries converted the parents Samuel and Elizabeth
Gould Weech to the LDS Church
Second, was their desire
to
join the Saints in Utah,
The story of their emigration to America and and journey across the
plains to eventually settle in Goshen, Utah, was, as
so many others, full of hardships. The father and one daughter died
in Illinois just after a sister. Emily, was born. The story of how
mother continued on with her family would, in itself, fill a book.
The third event was the trouble in Goshen over water rights, and other
disappointments, which forced another move, this time to Arizona When
Hyrum Weech with his wife
Sarah Dall Weech, arrived in Pima then were six children in family The
first four. Sarah,
Elizabeth, Rebecca and Emma were all daughters. Hyrum was getting quite
aggravated with Sarah for
all the girl babies.
At last came a boy. David
Henry, and then another
girl Jane. Seven more children were born in Pima: Pearl, Joseph,
William, John, Amanda, Robert and Clara Hyrum and Sarah Weech
lived a long
and eventful life, filled with service to Church, community and
fellowman.
They left a story of
their
lives, including the
founding of Pima. This little book. "Our Pioneer Parents . has proved
invaluable in
researching the history
of Pima and it's settlers. Hyrum Weech also married Mary Taylor, a
daughter of
John Taylor.
From this union was born
a
girl. Mary Lorena. and a
boy who died at birth
Lorena married Dennis Smithson and lives at Woodruff. Arizona, and it
the
mother of a large
family. Still living, she is the last of the Hyrum Weech children.
There are. however, two
daughters-in-law living
They left a story of their lives, including the founding of Pima. This
little book. "Our Pioneer Parents'. has proved invaluable in
researching the history of Pima and it's settlers. Hyrum Weech also
married Mary Taylor, a daughter of John Taylor. From this union was
born a girl. Mary Lorena. and a boy who died at birth Lorena married
Dennis Smithson and
lives at Woodruff. Arizona, and is the mother of a large family. Still
living, she is the last of the Hyrum Weech children. There are.
however, two
daughters-in-law living at this time (1978): Jane Boswell Weech. 91.
and Mary Allen Weech. 81.
The second member of the Weech family to settle in the Gila Valley was
Emily Weech Lines, the ancestress of numerous Lines and Mary Lines
McBnde families living in Pima The mother. Elizabeth Weech.
arrived next and made her home close by Emily's.
The fourth member of The
Weech
family to arrive in Pima was Joseph Samuel Weech. an older brother to
Hyrum Weech and Emily Weech Lines. Joseph came to Pima in 1884 His
wife. Emma Wilkins. had died, leaving him with six of his youngest
children Joseph moved
on to Layton and settled next to the Olsen family. His daughter, Rachel
Weech, married Tscar Alfred Olsen on October 10. 1894. She and Oscar
joined the two farms on Lone
Star Lane
which are still owned by
their
descendants. Oscar and Rachel were the parents of eight children:
Joseph. Emma. Howard. Harold. Harry. Lola. Glenna and Anna Mae Joseph
Samuel Weech died in 1893
and is buried in the Pima Cemetery next to his mother. Elizabeth Gould
Weech.
On July 4. 1879 the small
community of Smithville (Pima) gathered to celebrate with games, races
and of course a dance planned for the evening. The celebration was made
doubly so
when four young unmarried men rode into the village on horseback. These
young men were. Joseph Edwin Cluff, his brother. David Cluff.
Jeff Hundly and Tom Sessions. The young men had left Forest Dale July 1,
making the trip in three days. The
Cluff brothers reported their Father. Joseph Sr.. was making ready to
leave Forest Dale and would soon
join them in Pima.
The settlers did indeed
welcome these new arrivals to the settlement. Joseph Cluff and his sons
were
industrious willing workers. They joined right in helping in any
community project. It was with
their help the
Smithville Canal was completed enough to deliver water so crops could
be planted in
early 1880. The Joseph
Cluff family, later cleared land a few miles east of Pima, built their
home and moved into
what is now Central Joseph Cluff was ordained the first Bishop of the
Central Ward
in October 1883. On
April 22. 1898 he opened a Central store. Joseph Cluff will be
remembered by
all his descendants. Among the many are, Irwin Guff, Lytha
Guff Holliday. Lester Mattice, Verna Ray Guff Colvin. May Guff Follett
and so many many more. The Reuben Warren Allred family came to Pima in
1879. after a journey that took them over thirty years.
Reuben Warren Allred was
eighteen years old when he married Elzadie Emiline Ford. Four days
after
their marriage, both joined the Mormon Battalion. Elzadie was allowed
to go along with her new husband, as two women were with each Company,
to do laundry work for the men. At Santa Fe. New Mexico. Elzadie had to
turn back toward Salt Lake City, while Reuben continued on toward
California. After the Battalion was disbanded. Reuben joined his wife
in Salt Lake City, Utah. In 1879 the Allred's moved to Pima, Arizona
with their family of three children, John Warren, Mary Lilly and
Rosebelle. Although the Indians were at times troublesome, and the
place had no near neighbors. Reuben moved about seven miles west of
Pima, to a place called Buttermilk Point. This was near Matthewsville.
The Allreds found it profitable to milk cows, make butter and cheese,
to sell to the soldiers at Ft. Thomas. The Freighters, going from Bowie
to Globe, always looked forward to stopping at the Allred Farm for a
cool glass of buttermilk. After five years, the Allreds moved back to
Pima buying the Henry Dall farm, as Henry Dall wished to return to
Utah. This was near the Hilda Taylor home.
Some of Reuben and Elzadie's descendants still living in Pima are.
Orson Allred, Clare Allred Larson, and a host of others. John Allred
was the only living son of Reuben and Elzadie Allred. who came with his
parents to Pima in 1879.
On their way, while camped at Cooley's ranch, John became friends with
one of Cooleys sons "Skitly". who was about John's age. John having
Rheumatic Fever, would tire very easily. One day John and his friend
"Skitty" were after some cattle that had strayed, when John became ill.
His friend had him lie down under a tree, brought water in his hat and
cared for him until he was well enough to return home.
After arriving in the Gila Valley John lived at Buttermilk Point for
five years.
In 1883, he married Janie Boyo. Janie was not to live long. She passed
away leaving John with three children. Clara Maud Judd became his wife
in 1694. and was a mother to his children.
John passed away February 21, 1910. leaving Maid with her own six
children, plus the stepchildren to care for.
Simon B. Miller & Maryann Dall Miller When Hyrum Wei-ch and Henry
Dall returned with their families in December, 1879. with them was a
brother-in-law. Simon H (Charley) Miller, his wife Mary Ann Dall
Miller, two boys and two girls. The Millers were made welcome into the
home of the Gallager family, where they lived until Charley could build
a one room log cabin for his family.
Charley Miller was indited a most welcome addition to the small
community. He pitched right in helping on the Smithville and Dodge
Canals to bring in the much needed wuter and many other community
projects.
The Miller family were all industrious, hard working individuals, with
Mary Ann and the girls helping with the planting and harvesting when
necessary. The Milters built an Adobe Hotel with dining room. This was
where the red brick Hotel was later built.
Charley and Mary Ann Miller have many descendants still living in Pima.
Louella Miller Marshall's story is in "Our Pioneer Women" chapter. John
Nuttall and Laura Gardner Nuttall arrived in Pima January 28.1880 The
Nuttall family had lived at Forest Dale for a year before moving to
Pima. They had many friends who hud come to Pima the year before.
When Hyrum Weech and
Henry
Dall returned with their families in December, 1879. with them was a
brother-in-law. Simon H (Charley) Miller, his wife Mary Ann Dall
Miller, two boys and two girls. The Millers were made welcome into the
home of the Gallager family, where they lived until Charley could build
a one room log cabin for his family.
Charley Miller was indeed a most welcome addition to the small
community. He pitched right in helping on the Smithville and Dodge
Canals to bring in the much needed water and many other community
projects.
The Miller family were all industrious, hard working individuals, with
Mary Ann and the girls helping with the planting and harvesting when
necessary. The Millers built an Adobe Hotel with dining room. This was
where the red brick Hotel was later built.
Charley and Mary Ann Miller have many descendants still living in Pima.
Louella Miller Marshall's story is in "Our Pioneer Women" chapter. John
Nuttall and Laura Gardner Nuttall arrived in Pima January 28.1880 The
Nuttall family had lived at Forest Dale for a year before moving to
Pima. They had many friends who had come to Pima the year before.
The Nuttall home was right
across the street from the J.K. Rogers home. Their first home, as were
all the others in Pima at that time, was of logs. Later he built a
brick home, that as their family increased, was added upon to become a
large beautiful home.
John Nuttall is believed
to have built the first sorghum mill in Pima,
having it ready the first fall after his arrival. The Nuttalls bought
the sawmill that had been moved from the Chiricahua Mountains by Hyrum
Weech. Ebenezer Bryce and John M. Moody. The canyon, where the mill was
located, was later named Nuttall Canyon. John also owned and operated a
flour mill, first located in Pima, then moved to Bryce. where a few
years later it was washed away when the Gila was in flood. The Nuttalls
owned a threshing machine, threshing grain throughout the valley. John
and Laura took an active part in Church and civic activities. They
liked to see the young people have a good time. John and Laura
accompanied them on picnics and hayrack rides. They also built a hall
encouraging the young to dance. It is said of John Nuttall. His word is
always good and he can be depended upon. John also married Christina
Hubbard and raised the two large families. Hundreds of John's. Laura's
and Christina's descendants live in the Gila Valley and throughout
Arizona
More Settlers Arrive
On January
12. 1880 the
Vanguard of a large group of settlers arrived These families would
almost double the population of Pima. The first to arrive consisted of
Thomas Ransom, his wife Mary (Mame) Dodge Ransom. Peter McBride. his
wife Ruth Bums McBride and two sons. Frank and Howard. Arthur Newell
and Family, and Abraham Boswell. whose wife Hannah Dodge Boswell, was
not along all that time. After looking the valley over. Tom and Mame
Ransom returned to Forest Dale to help others move in and bring in
their cattle. Abraham Boswell returned to Toquerville. Utah, for his
wife and family, and also others still in Toquerville. They all met in
Forest Dale, then made up a large wagon train to go on to the Gila
Valley Those making up this train were. Seth Dodge, his two wives with
a large number of teenage boys and girls, another son-in-law William
Ransom, his wife Permelia Dodge Ransom. Nells Joseph Roseberry, his
wife Lucretia and family, Samuel Green, his wife Lucinda and family.
With the influx of new
settlers, a town meeting was railed where it was resolved to grant
these new families all the rights and privileges as those arriving
earlier, so the lot numbers were again placed in a hat and each head of
family drew a number that corresponded with the lot he was to build
upon There was undoubtedly some trading because one whole block fell to
four of the Dodge family. Thomas Kansom (a son-in-law of Seth Dodge)
first home was where Vance Marshall lives now. He took up land for
farming to the north and west somewhere to the east of where the Mack
farm was later. At that time there was no water available, so he and
the Dodges commenced a tuinal fur irrigation purposes. This was named
the Dodge canal as the Dodge men supplied most of the labor. Tom and
Mame had no children of their own. There were however, always young
people living in their home Verda Stowe and Frank Balland. left orphans
as children, were given a home by the Ransoms, where they grew to
adulthood Myrtle Ransom Golf and Lavina Dodge lived there much of the
time. Thomas Kasmussen was the last to live in their home. Tom lives
when; the Ransoms had a home after moving back from Oregon.
William John Ransom and wid. Permelia Dodge Ransom were also with the
large group arriving in May 1880. William Ransom was living in
Toquerville. Utah, when he was called to work on the St. George Temple.
In 1878 he was married to Permelia Dodge. At this time the Seth Dodge
family were considering a move to Northern Arizona. He and Permelia
traveled along with his wife's family, eventually arriving in Pima.
These were busy times for Will and Permelia. raising food for Iheir
needs, attending their Church duties. and supplying the necessities for
their family.
Will and his brother. Tom and a brother-in-law Eli Dodge went into the
mountains, built a "up and down mill" and donated six hundred board
fitet of lumber when the new Brick Church was built. Most of this
lumber was used for window and door frames.
John Simion Dodge was
born
September 27, 1859 in Beaver. Utah to Seth George and Mariah Jane
Davidson Dodge. John came to Pima with the rest of the Dodge family in
1880. He married Lenora McKay Holladay September 13. 1882 Lenora or
Nora as she was always called, was the daughter of Thomas Wiley and Ann
Hollon Matthews Holladay. She was born November 10, 1867 in Santaquin.
Utah. She. with her parents came to Pima a short time before her
marriage.
John was a cattleman, he and his brother Delos, were building up a
ranch south of Pima, running their cattle in the foothills of Mt Graham.
To help finance the ranch. John took a government contract to carry
mail and passengers from Willcox to Ft. Thomas by way of Ft. Grant. The
road at that time went from Ft. Grant over the west end of Mt. Graham,
then to Cedar Springs, down little Cottonwood Canyon and on to Ft.
Thomas. Using Cellar Springs as a halfway station. John would drive to
Willcox then back to Cedar Springs. From Cedar Springs his younger
brother Joshua Thomas would then take the run to Ft. Thomas and back.
Nora lived at Cedar Springs with her first two children. Alva and John.
returning to Pima for the birth of their third child Eva.
With the end of the mail contract. John and Nora moved back to their
ranch southwest of Pima. It was there John died September 28, 1890
leaving Nora and the three small children.
J.M. Wilson, well known
in
Safford as the operator of a meat packing plant, and of the nearby
“Pup” cattle ranch, was born on a cattle ranch near Austin, TX. on Jan.
8, 1885.
In 1906 he came to Globe where he kept books for the Glove Hardware Co.
That fall he returned to TX and married Elizabeth Basset, on Nov. 7,
1906.
Coming to Safford in Oct. of 1911, Wilson formed a partnership with
W.H. Clifford, buying and shipping alfalfa hay to the mining camps and
also feeding cattle.
In 1913 he bought a cow ranch, near Safford on which he ran cattle in
what was called the “Pup” brand, two “P’s” connected by a “U”.
In 1928 Wilson & Clifford bought the old Grosbeck Hotel in Safford
and converted it into a meat packing plant. In 19239 Clifford died and
the plant was sold, but in the same year Wilson built a modern packing
plant south of town.
Wilson operated this plant, together with the cattle ranch, until 1948,
when he sold the plant and moved the cattle to a ranch in Mohave
County, now operated by his son Jack. Until 1952 he remained as manager
of the Safford packing plant.
In 1921 Wilson lost 1/3rd of his cattle in the drought and the 1933-34
dry years forced him to sell his weakest stock at low prices under the
government relief program.
When the Taylor Grazing Act came into being in 1934, he was made
chairman of the local board, and was active in Washington and in
Arizona in making it work successfully.
Wilson was the first Secretary of the Safford Chamber of Commerce and,
later, its President. He was President of the Cochise-Graham Cattle
Growers Association.
Mr. & Mrs. Wilson still live in Safford; son Jack on the ranch near
Kingman; daughters Connie, Mary Edna & Frances live out of the
state and Jean at Tempe.
One of the "forty-niners" who were the forerunners of civilization and
wonderful prosperity on the Pacific coast, Robert Nash is entitled to a
place on its roll of honor. Moreover, he was one of the first permanent
white settlers in the Gila valley, and for more than a quarter of a
century has resided within the borders of Arizona, actively connected
with its development and useful enterprises.
The parents of the above-named respected citizen of
Graham county were James and Mary (Scott) Nash, natives of Kentucky,
who took up their abode in Indiana in its early days as a state. The
father departed this life in 1852, and after surviving him many years
the mother passed to her reward, aged about eighty-two. In 1849,
accompanied by their children, they crossed the great western plains to
California, and suffered the privations of frontier life.
Robert Nash was born in Marshall county, Ind., in
1835, and thus was in his fifteenth year when he made the long trip to
the western slope. For a score of years he was occupied in placer
mining in California, and it was not until 1875 that he left that state
to try his fortunes in Arizona. Locating near Prescott, he farmed and
freighted for some five years, and then, having heard of the natural
superiority of the Gila river bottom lands, he came to this vicinity.
The county seat was then at Safford, very few white families lived in
the valley, and only three white men resided at Solomonville. Renting a
tract of land for five years, Mr. Nash then purchased a quarter section
of the rich bottom lands—which is more highly productive, undoubtedly,
than any other region in this republic. Good improvements have been
instituted here by the energetic owner and today the homestead is
considered a model one. A substantial and convenient brick house, a
thrifty orchard, well-made fences and other features add to the value
of the farm and speak volumes for the enterprise of the owner. He keeps
a small herd of high-grade cattle, but devotes his chief attention to
agriculture. As a public-spirited citizen he has striven to perform his
due share in the affairs of his community and has served as a road
overseer and school trustee. In national elections he uses his ballot
in favor of Republican measures. A man of strictly temperate habits and
noted for his sterling integrits and industry, he enjoys the sincere
respect of all who know him.
June 11, 1864, Mr. Nash married Miss Mary Ann Orry,
of California, a native of New York state, who passed through Arizona
on her way to California with her parents in 1859. They have reason to
be proud of their five manly sons, namely: John F., a professor at
Thatcher (Ariz.) College; James E., who is operating a farm which
adjoins that owned by his father; Henry R., who farms and rents an
entire section of land, this tract also being adjacent to the old
homestead; George H., likewise engaged in agricultural pursuits; and
Robert L., who lives at home and assists in the management of the
place. Mary A. and Minnie H., the daughters, reside with their parents.
WILLIAM R.
BROWN, M.
D.
In
connection with the history of successful
professional
achievement in the field of medicine and surgery at Ogden should be
mentioned Dr. William R.
Brown. His practice is now extensive and important, based upon thorough
preliminary training and wide experience. He was born in Thatcher,
Arizona, November 5,
1888, a son of Charles David and Sarah Ellen (Dickson) Brown. The
father is a
resident of Ogden, Utah, where he is in the office of city
engineer. The mother makes her home at Ogden, Utah. In the family are
four
children who are yet living.
Dr. Brown
acquired a public school education,
which was
supplemented by a course in the Weber Academy, and later he was
graduated from the
University high school of Chicago with the class
of 1908. He next entered the University of Illinois for the study
of medicine and won his professional degree upon graduation from that
institution. He did hospital work in St. Luke's Hospital
of Chicago and also spent a year in
connection with the City Hospital at Memphis, Tennessee. In this way he
gained
valuable knowledge and experience, his training covering the wide range
of
hospital service and well qualifying him for the duties which later
devolved
'upon him. With his removal to Ogden
he entered upon the general practice of medicine and is now serving as
city
physician by appointment of the city commissioner. He is also
associated with
the Dee Memorial Hospital
and in addition he has a large and important private practice. He is
very careful
in the "diagnosis of his cases and his judgment concerning the outcome
of
disease is seldom if ever at fault. He has a well appointed suite of
rooms in
the First National Bank building, possesses a good medical library and
at all
times keeps in touch with the trend of modern professional thought and
scientific investigation. He belongs to the Weber County Medical
Society, the
Utah State Medical Society and the American Medical Association.
In 1915
Dr. Brown was married to Miss Thora
Williams, a
daughter of Thomas Williams, of Ogden,
and they have one child, Beverly, now three years of age. The Doctor
belongs to
the Ogden Golf and Country Club. He is also a member of the University
Club and
he finds his recreation in trout fishing when leisure permits him to
indulge in
that sport. He never neglects any professional duty, however, and his
activities and ability have brought him prominently to the front as a
physician
and surgeon of Ogden.
[Source:
Utah
since
Statehood: Historical
and Biographical Volume 2; By Noble Warrum; Publ. 1919;
Transcribed and
submitted by Andrea Stawski Pack.]
Tex
Salazar was born May 25, 1928, in the Aravaipa Canyon to Lupe and
Teresa Salazar. Lupe and Teresa had 8 children, one dying in
infancy. Tex is the baby. Tex went to school on the
Aravaipa Creek with the Moragas, Sanfords, Sanchezes, the Haby twins,
and Milton Rhea. He loved the Canyon dearly and the ranch life
there. Very early he rode with his father and cowboying has been
his life there. He knows no other.
When Tex had completed the 8th grade in the Canyon he went to Safford
to school. He and his sister, Christine, boarded together, but
for Tex it was agony being away from the Canyon. Painfully shy,
he didn't feel at home with the "town kids", nor did they make him feel
welcome. In the evenings he would sit on their little porch where
he and Christine lived and long for any car from the Canyon to go
by. He manfully stuck it for two weeks until initiation day of
the freshmen. Initiation day cost him his high school education
because that's when e decided he had had enough. He was told by
upper classmen tht on that day he had to appear in shorts. Now
back in that day, and still true today, no God-fearing cowboy would
have been caught dead in shorts. So Tex told his tormentors, "I
don't HAVE to do that. I don't have to anything--I quit!!"
And that terminated his formal education. He then went back
thankfully to the ranch and never left it for other employment.
His life has been on a horse. As far as the academic work went,
in the two weeks of school he found he was ahead of the Safford
students, but the call of the Canyon was too great.
Tex met pretty Emma Garcia at Bellman's Department Store in Safford,
where she worked. (Emma Garcia was born Feb 25, 1933, at San
Jose, Arizona). Christine also worked there and she fix Emma up a
date with hergood looking brother. It was pretty much love at
first sight between the young people...although Emma claims Tex was a
shy, maverick and she had to lasso him. They wee married on Aug
27, 1955, at Safford, Arizona. They have three children:
Terry born June 17, 1956, at Safford, Az; Bobby, born Sept 21, 1959, at
Safford, Az; and John, born Aug 17, 1963, at Safford, Az. The two
girls are married, but John is still at home. All the children
used to ride and help Tex on the ranch.
Tex and Emma maintained their home on the ranch, which they named
"Parson Grove Ranch", for ten and a half years. When John was one
year old Emma brought the children in during the week to go to school
in town. Emma found the Canyon lonely-most women do -but she
helped out at the Klondyke Store when Jessie Kidd ran it. Also
she and the children went with Tex a lot, either on horseback or in the
truck.
The most frightening experiences that Tex and Emma can remember on the
ranch happened when there were floods..several in the past. The
raging waters threatened their home and cut them off from escaping from
the Canyon. Down there the Canyon is so narrow that waters can
rise surprisinly high and fast. Fortunately no serious amage was
ever done.
In 1972, Lupe sold his headquarters and part of the ranch to the
Defenders of Wildlife with the provision that he could live out his
life on his property. he Bureau of Land management was trying to
dondemn that area for a parking lot for the Wilderness Area, so rather
than lose his livelihood, Lupe sold to the Defenders.
In 1983, Tex sold the rest of the ranch to the Defenders. No he
can still ranch and has a permit to run 125 head of cattle on the
place. Ranching is all he knows and he has to keep on with it.
Today, Tex and Emma, live in a lovely home in Safford, beautifully
furnished and decorated. Emma is not in robust health, but she
takes it easier now than she used too. Tex still drives out to
the ranch most every day of the week to look after the cattle there,
and hopes to continue to do so as long as he is able.
Tex acquained me with the following story of his father and his
forbearers. Lupe Salazar lived on the upper Aravaipa almost his
entire life and loved every minute of it. He never wanted to
leave it. His father, Paisano was one of the very first pioneers
of the Aravaipa. He came as a young man from Mexico.
Paisano's father in Mexico (Lupe's grandfather) wanted to find his son,
whom he had not seen for many years. So, at the remarkable and
venerable age of 107, he set out on his burro to find Paisano. He
had only a vague idea of where his son was, so he asked directions all
along the way. He rode slowly through the San Pedro Valley and
finally came to the Aravaipa. He learned that Paisano was on the
other side on the mountain, so he rode through the Aravaipa Canyon and
at long last found Paisano. We can imagine what a tearful reunion
that was. He stayed with his son for a year until he was 108 and
then mounted his burro with his few possessions and started back on the
long, arduous trip back to Mexico.
author/Eleanor Claridge (Arizona University) Graham County
Guardian 18 July 1941 pg 3
Contributed by Nancy Osbor
