Arizona weekly citizen., 1896-06-20
EARLY HISTORY.
Some "Reminiscences of the Times
That Tried Mems Nerves.


That Tried Mems Nerves.
Among the old.time Arizonans, who
rieked their lives in the venture to Sc
cure share Of California's golden store,
ls Robert McKerrow, a sturdy Scotch
man. who now resides at Stafford, in
Graham County, where be is highly res
pected throughout the community.
Mr.. McKerrow first passed through
Tucson in l849, enroute to California.
The party with which he was travelling
consisted of 120 men and two women.
ln the same train with himself was Solo,
mon Warner.
At Gils Bend number of the party,
including himself, Lieut.. Gully, who
served with Gen. Price in the Mexican
war. and man named Richardson,
stopped at the Pima villages for tie
purpose OF building boat, in which
they intended to float down the Gils
to its confluence with the Colorado.
This plan was consummated, and in due
course Of time they reached Yuma,
where they remained for some time
resting up. The Colorado Indians were
hostile at that time and constant look
out on either side OF the river was the
oniy means of securing safety in travel.
The Indians at the Pima villages were
friendly, and being very industrious,
had planted many fields of grain.
haoa HalAo hi aA nf nr
lit, and they had gathered many silver
dollars for pbsturage from the numerous
trains Of immigrants winch passed
through at intervals. For one dollar
per head per day, the immigrants were
allowed t. turn their stock into these
grain fields.
In the party was man named Wolf
skill, who had his eyes open for bust
ness. He had with him keg or whis-
key which he began selling to the In
dlans at 81 drink and but for the in
tsrference of the Chief he would have
soon ban nkrupted the entire tribe. AS
rapidly ss ihe supply of whiskey dimin.
ished he would replenlsh the keg with
water. The Indians became glorlously
drunk and only wanted very slight pro-
vocation to indulge In general fight.
Some trouble arose ever q horse belong,
ing to.one of the party, Ben Lummin.
and this precipitated serious row. Az
Indian attempted 10 take the horse
away from Lummiu, who had some very
serious objections to giving him up.
They had a fight in which Lummin
came out winner. The Chief, however,
interiered at this iuncture, and doubt
less prevented & general encounter,
which might nave resulted in disaster
to the party. The Chief demanded as
the terms Of peace, the payment of $500
and guarantee tnat no more whiskey
would be eoli to his people. He also
Insisted that be would have the last
drink. These demands were acceeded
to. and after be got his last swallow, the
immigrants finished the keg and peace
reigDed supreme.
Another member OF the party was
James Moore, of Pistt County. Missouri.
He had brought with him eight negroes,
who were driving his teams. His inteu-
ton was to work them in the mines ID
California upon his arrival there, but
there was something in the atmosphere
that told them of freedom, and soon Hf
ter reaching the Golden state, the dark
les gave him the cold shoulder and as
sume6 the burdens OF existence inde-
pendently of Mr.. Moore.
Moore bad with him a block and tack
lie, and plentiful supply of rope to be
used 10 crossing the treacherous waters
OF the Colorado. About the time that
the psrty landed on the California side,
a Liente napt who had been sent out be
Commodore Stockton, arrived with q
body of soldiers, and took charge OF the
ferry at Yuma. To him the party sold
the boat and tackle. This vas the first
military post established at Yums.
This WAS the point reached by al
travellers going east via southern Cali
forpia. and il was generally told that
the Lieut.. in charge Of the ferry became
wealthy as the result OF a
system of robbery he practised while in
command. He levied tribute of % per
cent Of all the gold dust passengers had,
provided they showed the dust. It tn y
did not meet his terms, hs simply robbed
them of everything they had in. the
shape of money. He also bad charge
OF the supply depot, and his instructions
were TO furnish provisions, without
charge, to every person unable to pay
for them. To those who had money be
furnished fou. Mt 81 per pound, salt
pork at Sl.25 per pound, and other ne
ce esares in proportion.
Solomon Warner drove an OK team on
this expedition, and james Moore
brought nules from Missouri. After
Moore's negroes ran away from him be
engaged in the cattle business. He
took his cattle to the mines where he
sold them at an enormous profit, and
soop became wealthy.