Arizona weekly citizen., 1885-07-18
The First Ferry Boat Used at Yuma

EDITOR BULETIS:-A correspondent of the Bulletin of May 6, 1885. writing from Fort Yuma, speaks of the first ferry established across the Colorado river at that point by Lieut. (not ColoneD Couts, as being the cause of that bloody event known as the Yuma Massacre.
 In the history of the boat used for that purpose 1t is mentioned as having been constructed from the bed of s wagon in which 8 family of Towards had ridden from the state of Wisconsin, and must have been a curiosity in its way and should have been preserved by the pioneers"
 The boat referred to has history not without interest to some now living, apart from the tragic incident to which it bore so unfortunate connection. It was not constructed from a wagon bed as stated by the Bulletins correspond ent, but was built as a boat complete at the beginning, and first launched on the waters of Lake Mjghigan. In length l6 feet over all; beam , feet 6inches, except the bow. which was decked, and used for the drivers seat; 1t was provided with an adjustable cover that gave it all the advantages of & coach when mount ed on wheels, and the comforts of a stateroom, when used on the water. It was specially designed to meet the exi- gencles of travel en route to California, and its first service on water was at Fort Benton at the crossing of the Arkansas; the next being the navigation of the Gila river, for which the owner intended 1t at the start. This he accomplished without serious impediment in the month of September, 1Si9. EmbarkiDg at the Pima villages with hIs wife and one. child, with physician and Baptist minister as companions of the voyage, he reached Fort Yuma at the mouth of the Gils, distance by the rivers course of 2j0 miles, in three and one half days. Lieut. Couts at that time was in command of the United States escort to the Mexican Boundary Com mission, and had headquarters at at Fort Yuma. Being informed by some advsIce riders of the emigrant party that one of their number with his fsmi- ly WAS coming down the river by boat, he at once sent detachment from the post up the river to give such aid tO the expedition, as the Lieutenant after ward told the writer, its not only possl- ble but probable outcome might require. But the squad passed without seeing the reckless yoyagers and did not put in appearance at the fort until several days after the latter had arrived there, and m safety. This is believed to be the first navigation of the GilE river, and 1t may be added, incidentally, that on the passage down, boy was born 10 the wife of Mir. Howard, who IS now liy- ing in Lake county, California, and claims to have been the first child of American parents born in Arizona.
 While waiting at the fort for the arriy- al of his company, by which he had sent his team and running gear, MT. Howard sold his boat to Lieut.. Couts, receiving $500 and an army ambulance body in ex change. With the latter mounted on the wheels in prevlous use, the trip was completed to San Diego.
 After some service at the Colorado ferry, Lieut.. Couts brought the craft over the desert to the coast at San Die go bay. At some expense 1t was put in presentRble repair, when 1t was again committed to the element in which 1t first fioated 5000 miles away.
 To some of the delightful excursions on the bay, an invitation to the writer from the Lieutenant was not forgotten. On more than one of those occasions the song and beauty of the SenOritGs Bandini was the inspiration of the hour, and it was only little later on when one of the Castillian sisters became the gallant officers wife.
 E. H. HOWARD.
 EUREKA, Cal, June P, 1885