As colonization generally was directed from a central agency, each of the
colonies had somewhat the same method of establishment and of operation,
this founded upon the experience of the people in Utah and Arizona. There
would be laid out a townsite, near which would be small tracts of garden
land, and farther away larger tracts of agricultural and grazing land,
sold to the colonists at cost with ample time for payment, title
remaining in the company until all the purchase price had been paid. In
each colony one of the very first public works was erection of a
schoolhouse, used as a house of worship and for public hall, as well.
Graduates from the colony grammar schools could be sent to an academy at
Colonia Juarez, where four years' high school work was given. Skilled
teachers were secured wherever possible. Instruction was free, both to
the children of the colonists and to the Mexicans. Wherever sufficient
school maintenance could not be provided, the deficiency was made up by
the Church.
In each colony the rough homes of adobe or rock later were replaced by
houses of lumber or brick, until, it is told, these Mexican towns were
among the best built known in the Southwest.
Agriculture was notably successful. There were fine orchards, vegetables
were abundant and good crops of grain and potatoes were known. The best
breeds of cattle and horses were imported and improved agricultural
machinery was brought in. Hundreds of miles of roads were constructed by
the colonists, turned over to the government without cost, and taxation
was cheerfully paid on the same basis as known by neighboring Mexican
settlements.
Wherever water could be developed were well-surveyed ditches, heading on
the Casas Grandes, Janos and Babispe Rivers and their tributaries,
though, without reservoirs, there often was shortage of water. Water
power was used for the operation of grist and lumber mills and even for
electric lighting. By 1912 there were five lumber and shingle mills,
three grist mills, three tanneries, a shoe factory and other
manufacturing industries and there was added a telephone system, reaching
all Chihuahua colonies.
In general, relations with the Mexican government and with the
neighboring Mexicans appear to have been cordial. Possibly the best
instance of this lies in an anecdote concerning the visit to the
Chihuahua State Fair of President Porfirio Diaz. There he saw a
remarkable exhibit of industry and frugality presented by the Mormon
colonies, including saddles and harness, fruit, fresh and preserved,
and examples of the work of the schools. Then it was the General
fervently exclaimed, "What could I not do with my beloved Mexico if I
only had more citizens and settlers like the Mormons."
The colonists took no part in the politics of the country. Only a few
became Mexican citizens. Junius S. Romney stated that in each settlement
pride was taken in maintaining the best ideals of American government.
Occasionally there was irritation, mainly founded upon the difference
between the American and Mexican judicial systems. According to Ammon M.
Tenney, in all the years of Mormon occupation, not a single colonist was
convicted of a crime of any sort whatever. In 1912 the colonists numbered
4225.