The first consecutive history of Arizona, intended to be complete in its
narration, undoubtedly was that written by Joseph Fish, for many years
resident in or near Snowflake. Though Mr. Fish is a patriarch of the
Mormon Church, his narration of events is entirely uncolored, unless by
sympathy for the Indians. His work never had publication, a fact to be
deplored. A copy of his manuscript is in the office of the State
Historian, and another is possessed by Dr. J. A. Munk, held by him in his
library of Arizoniana in the Southwestern Museum at Garvanza, Cal.
The history has about 700 pages of typewritten matter, treating of events
down to a comparatively late date. Mr. Fish has a clear and lucid style
of narration and his work is both interesting and valuable. Though of no
large means, he gathered, at his home on the Little Colorado, about 400
books and magazines, and upon this basis and by personal interviews and
correspondence he secured the data upon which he wrote. He is a native of
Illinois, of Yankee stock, and is now in his eightieth year. He came to
Arizona in 1879 and the next year was in charge of the commissary
department for the contract of John W. Young in the building of the
Atlantic and Pacific railroad. His first historical work was done as
clerk of the Eastern Arizona Stake. In 1902 he began work on another
historical volume, "The Pioneers of the Rocky Mountains." He now is
resident in Enterprise, Utah.
Another historic character resident in the Stake was Ralph Ramsey, the
artist in wood who carved the eagle that overspreads the Eagle gate in
Salt Lake City.