Weekly Phoenix herald., 1883-11-22
FOUNnLNG OF THE COLONIES OF MESA CITY AND
 HUNTSVILLE.
The Original Settlers with the
 History of their Organizations
How they came to Settle in Mari
 copa County.
Interesting Facts |.

The settlement at Jonesville was commenced in March 1877; the members composing the colony were from Mormon Valley, Idaho, and from Porvo City, Utah, Cory and San Pete counties, Utah. The heads of the families are named as fol- lows: P. c: Merrill, D. J. Merrill, H. c. Rogers, Ross R. Rogers, D. W Jones, Thomas Riggs, George E. Steel, A. E Williams, Joseph Me Roe and Thos. Hurley, making in all about 70 souls. The company was organized at St. George, Utah, by direction of President Brigham Young, in the winter of 1876. under the leadership of D. w. Jones, with view of going into Mexlco.
 Soon after their arrival they locat- ed the Utah ditch on the south bank of the river. This location was made by the advice of Winchester Miller, of Tempe, They succeeded in get ting out the water that same season and raising some corn.
 As a colony they worked in com mon, with the exception of k. R. Rogers, who laboredfor his personal interest only. They were so far sue. | cessful, but some members of the colony becoming dissatisfied with the management concluded to with draw from the company which they did in the fall of that year. Their names were as follows: co. Mer> Till, D, J. Merrill, Joseph McRoe, A E. Williams, George B. Steel, the latter returning to JonesvIlle about two years afterwards The others settled OF the San Pedro, farmin g on the present settlement of St David, Cochise county. Jones Biggs and Rogers with their fam flies continued to work unitedly, but finally divided up their land and other property interests. On the ins vitation of Elder Jones several of the Pima and Maricopa Indians set tied on the river near by them; they assisted in enlarging the ditch and making the dam, etc., and have res | ceived water to make crops from year to year.
 Last year the ditch was enlarged SO that it now carries about 4,00C inches of water and will irrigate about that number of acres of land
 The experiments and experience of the people with crops have been varied. The natives have grown wheat, and cultivated other crops very successfully. Alfalfa, barley wheat, corn and fruit have been grown prof1tably. The growth ot the settlements has been retarded by the force of circumstances. It's present population is twenty six families, making about 150 souls. Jonesvllle has a substantial school house, 23x33 feet, with a school population of 40children.
 The pioneers of the Mesa City colony were as follows: G. W. Sir rine, W. L. Shrine, T. C. Shrine, P F. Shrine, F. M. Pomeroy, J. H Pomeroy, E. Pomeroy aud Charles Mallary; they were from Idaho Chas. Chrismon, W. G. Smith, " Schwarz, Wm. Newell and Chas. I. Robson were from Salt Lake City, Utah the whole consisting of about 70 souls including their families. This colony travelled by way of Lees Ferry, on the Colorado river, by Brigham City, on the Little Colo rado and across the Mogollon noun tains to Beaver Head,a which point they sent out exploring parties, hunt, ing for suitable location for settle tlement. While one of these parties were out they found Major Brato n at Camp Verde, who was one of one best posted men on the resources of the this Territory that they had found He advised them to come and look at the present site of the village of Mesa. Accordingly the comp any fitted out wagon with four horses and c. Chrismrn, G. w. Shrine, F. M. Pomeroy and Chas. J. Robs on te come and look at this country. They arrived at the settlement of Jones' vile January 9th, 1878. After view ing the country. location of ditches, etc., it was agreed upon by D. w. Jones in behalf of the Jones, vile company and the four above named in behalf of the Mesa conn pany that the two should go toget> her. They made arrangements for lots, permanent water rights and for enlarging the ditch. They left c Chrismon to look after their inter- ests while the other three returned
 lth glad tidings to the rest of the