The honor of leading Mormon pioneering in south-central Arizona lies with
Daniel W. Jones, a sturdy character, strong in the faith. He had been in
the Mexican war, in 1847, as a Missouri volunteer, and had remained in
Mexico till 1850. In the latter year he started for California, from
Santa Fe, and, in the Provo country of Utah, embraced Mormonism within a
settlement that had treated him kindly after he had accidentally wounded
himself. About that time he dedicated himself to life work among the
Indians, the Lamanites of the Book of Mormon. He appeared to be
successful thereafter in gaining the confidence of the red men and in
carrying out the policy so literally expressed by Brigham Young, "It is
cheaper to feed the Indians than to fight them." Speaking Spanish, he
helped in translation by Meliton G. Trejo, of a part of the Book of
Mormon.
The printing done, a missionary party was started southward September 10,
1875, from Nephi, Utah, its members being, besides Jones, J.Z. Stewart,
Helaman Pratt, Wiley C. Jones, a son of the leader, R.H. Smith, Ammon M.
Tenney and A.W. Ivins. The journey was on horseback, by way of Lee's
Ferry and the Hopi Indian villages and thence to the southwest. At Pine
Springs, in the Mogollons, were met Dr. J.W. Wharton and W.F. McNulty,
who told them something of Phoenix and the Salt River Valley and who
advised settlement in the upper valley.
Jones' personal story of his impressions of the future metropolis of the
State and of the Salt River Valley possibly should be given in his own
language:
"We were much surprised on entering Salt River Valley. We had traveled
through deserts and mountains (with the exception of the Little Colorado
Valley, a place which we did not particularly admire) for a long ways.
Now there opened before us a sight truly lovely. A fertile looking soil
and miles of level plain. In the distance the green cotton wood trees;
and, what made the country look more real, was the thrifty little
settlement of Phoenix, with its streets planted with shade trees for
miles. Strange as it may seem, at the time we started, in September,
1875, the valley of Salt River was not known even to Brigham Young.
"Our animals were beginning to fail, as they had lived on grass since
leaving Kanab. We bought corn at 4 cents a pound and commenced feeding
them a little. Although Salt River Valley is naturally fertile, owing to
the dryness of the climate, there is no grass except a little coarse
stuff called 'sacaton.'
"We camped on the north side of the river. On making inquiry, we learned
that Tempe, or Hayden's Mill, seven miles further up the river, would be
a better place to stop for a few days than Phoenix. C.T. Hayden, being
one of the oldest and most enterprising settlers of the country, had
built a grist mill, started ranches, opened a store, blacksmith shop,
wagon shop, etc.
"On arriving at Hayden's place, we found the owner an agreeable,
intelligent gentleman, who was much interested in the settlement and
development of the country, he being a pioneer in reality, having
been for many years in the west, and could sympathize with the Mormon
people in settling the deserts. He gave us much true and useful
information about the country and natives. Here we traded off some of our
pack mules and surplus provisions. We had already traded for a light
spring wagon, finding that the country before could be traveled with
wagons. We remained here a few days, camping at the ranch of Mr.
Winchester Miller. His barley was up several inches high, but he allowed
us to turn our animals into his fields and treated us in a kind,
hospitable manner. The friendly acquaintance made at this time has always
been kept up. Mr. Miller was an energetic man, and manifested a great
desire to have the Mormons come there and settle. He had already noticed
the place where the Jonesville ditch is now located. He told me about it,
saying it was the best ditch site on the river. What he said has proved
true. We wrote to President Young, describing the country."
The party tried some proselyting among the Pimas and Papagos. At Tucson
they met Governor Safford who offered welcome to Mormon colonists. Sonora
was in the throes of revolution, so they passed on to El Paso, on the way
talking to a camp of Apaches, given permission by the agent, Thos. T.
Jeffords. The San Pedro Valley was looked over for possible settlement.
In January, 1876, the party passed the international line at Paso del
Norte. Jones claimed this to have been the first missionary expedition
that ever entered Mexico. The party found it a good land and started back
in May with a rather favorable impression of the country for future
settlement. Return was by way of Bowie, Camp Grant and the Little
Colorado. At Allen's Camp were met Daniel H. Wells, Brigham Young, Jr.,
and Erastus Snow, with whom return to Utah was made. President Young was
met late in June, at Kanab, there expressing appreciation of the
determination that had brought Jones through every difficulty in the ten
months of journeying.