As suggested I herewith enclose
the letter of Bro John. W. Campbell of St David, Cochise Co. Arizonia, also
state what we have done, and our
our ideas in part in regard to making
locations in northern Sonora, Mexico.
Last January while visiting the
settlements on the Gila, and San Pedro
Rivers, we also purposed going over
the line into Sonora on a prospecting
tour; but other matters coming up; we
counselled with Bros. M. J. Trejo. and
J. W. Campbell, on the best point, and
course to be taken in making location
over the line. Bro H. W. Brizzee who is
somewhat aquainted with the country and
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much interested being with us, it
was deemed best for Bros. Campbell
and Trejo, to go over in the vicinity
of Fronteras where a person resides
who owns a small grant of land
with good timber and water claims
and whose acquaintance Bro Campbell
made last summer while in Sonora
and who was very anxious to have Bro
Campbell, go there, buy some land
and settle with them he being a good
machinist, and his family spanish
offering to sell him a league or two of
land on reasonable terms. we thought
the opening worth following up; but
as his letter indicates the indians this
spring appear troublesome, but they are
probably now in Sonora. Bro Campbell
last season put up a Mill for ex. Gov. Resqueria (I beleive is the name) from whom
he received marked attention and respect
spending many occasional hours making
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inquiries regarding our people and
faith. Bro C. will in all probability
visit him while in Magdalena. I
believe we can safely locate on the
Neutral line. (60 miles wide on Mexican side)
and make settlement within from 40 to
60 miles of St David where our people
are on the San Pedro River. of course
those who locate on the above ground
must become Mexican citizens, to meet
treaty obligations with the U.S. but
this they can well afford to do as the
advantages offered immigrants in Mexico
exemption from Taxes for 10 years, the full
benefit of securing lands now bearing
but a nominal value, but which
will soon be occupied and controlled
by the enterprizing Yankee and mining
adventurer; In May 1881 in company
with Bros. Rob'son & Kimball I made
the trip from San Pedro Valley over the
divide into Santa Cruz. Valley following
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it down all the way into Tucson
of this trip I made mention in a letter
addressed to Pres Taylor now in the
hands of Bro L. J. Nuttall to which you
may refer; we then spoke of the Buena
Vista Ranche in that valley—6 leagues long
by 3 wide—the length was up and down
the stream about 12 miles, over the line
in Sonora, and 6 miles in the U.S. -
a desirable place, and just enough
above and removed from a line of
R.R. going to Guaymas to be convenient
although I am satisfied a road will
yet run the length of that valley between
Tucson and Magdalena, that Ranche
we was told by one of the heirs could
then be got for about $20,000, or less
than 50ct pr Acre, and therer was
plnty of useful timber on it the entire
length; we have also heard of a pretty
valley between Fronteras & Arispie about
15 miles long and a mile wide well watered
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on the head waters of the Sonora River
discretion and good Judgement in
selection of location and purchase can now be made to great advantage
and a company of ten to twenty men can
if ^forced to^ or where necessary make safe location
for families, and the U.S and Mexican
Governments are moving in the matter of
suppressing Cowboys & Indians—and really
with ordinary care, we are preserved
and have no trouble, also about Tombstone
these Cow-boys are killing each other for some
time past. I may state that Bro. Wm. N. Fife is making a location in the sulpher spring valley, about 50 miles east
of Tombstone, and 25 miles north of Sonora line. the locality I have
asked Bros Campbell & Trejo to
visit would be nearly in a south
line from his place, and in fact form
a continous line with either St David
or Smithville on the Gila, via Camp
Apache or Forrest Dale to our settlements
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on the Little Colorada and its
tributaries. Should any of the
brethern be called to visit or explore
that southern country they will find
a friend in Dr Alfred. A. Green, of Tucson, whose views are expressed
in a letter forwarded to Bro Nuttall
and now in his hands.
So far as Salt River Valley is
concerned, we have good opennigs
to make locations at GilaBend,
or buy quit claims very reasonable
on the Verde River above McDowall
Fort, desirable for farming and grazing
Mr Hayden at Tempe, 7 miles below Mesa City is desirous of having
a coloney of our people locate near
him, and our progress at Mesa
city is fair. We need very much
at the Mesa. a music Teacher
and one who would lead in our
meetings. also a school teacher of our
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own faith, St David Branch
also, wants school and music
Teacher, and a person that
could superintend a dairy
interest, as san Pedro valley
is an excellant country for that
business. I will remain in
the city a few days longer and
in case you have any inquiries
to make, or if yourself, Bro E. Snow
or M. Thatcher have any suggestions
or instructions to give I will
be pleased to receive them.
Immediate occupation, and location
at a convenient point in Mexico
where we could branch out to
the ^East^ and S. West from our present
settlements would seem desirable
with regards & best wishes I remain
by Pres Taylor, in regard to recommends, and members being
received into the branches or wards,
will not be omitted, in the midst
of your many cares.
I intended to mention that Smithville
on the Gila River, being in what is now GrahamCountyArizonia, and our
people having secured many good claims
there, with the Judicious application
of a little capital, would place us in
possession of the principal water
interests, and give the Saints financial
and political control in that new
county, with its excellant resources.