There was quick work in the way of settlement at Allen's Camp, where the
first plowing was on March 25, 1876, by John Bushman and Nathan Cheney.
Jacob Morris immediately commenced the construction of a house. Two
days later an irrigation ditch was surveyed and on the following day John
Bushman got out the first logs for a diversion dam. April 3, Bushman
sowed the first wheat. A temporary structure was built for protection and
for storage. May 26 the name of Allen City was given the settlement, in
preference to a second suggestion, Ramah City. Early in August, 23 men,
including Allen, started back to Utah, from which a few returned with
their families.
On Allen's return southward with a number of families, the old Spanish
Trail was used, in its eastern section, via the San Juan region, with
some idea that it might be made the main thoroughfare, for thus would be
obviated the ferrying of the Colorado River, either above or below the
Canyon. But the way into Arizona through northwestern New Mexico was too
long, and the experiment was not considered successful.
In the fall, the families moved into a stockade fort, planned to be 152
feet wide and 300 feet long. Only part of this was finished. Probably
twenty or more houses were built within it.
[Illustration: CROSSING THE LITTLE COLORADO]
[Illustration: THE OLD FORT AT BRIGHAM CITY]
[Illustration: WOODRUFF DAM, AFTER ONE OF THE FREQUENT WASHOUTS]
[Illustration: THE FIRST PERMANENT DAM ON THE LITTLE COLORADO AT ST.
JOSEPH]
August 23, 1876, a postoffice was established, with John McLaws in
charge. A weekly mail service operated between Santa Fe and Prescott.
The first child in the settlement was Hannah Maria Colson, July 17, 1876.
The first death was exactly a year later, that of Clara Gray. The first
school district was established and the first school was taught during
the winter of 1877-78. Of all the lower Little Colorado settlements, this
is the only one now existent.
The present St. Joseph lies only a hundred rods from the main line of the
Santa Fe railroad system, 25 miles east of Winslow. The first Allen's
Camp, in April, 1876, was three miles east of the present site. There was
a change to the western location in June, at the suggestion of Daniel H.
Wells, who had followed for an inspection of the new settlements. Later
there was survey, nearby, of a townsite, the same that now is occupied.
Among the few remaining settlers of the Little Colorado settlements, is
Joseph Hill Richards, who writes that he was the first justice of the
peace for Yavapai County in that region and the first captain there of
territorial militia. He also was prominent in the Church organization.