The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-02-24
STORY OF ARIZONA
BY FREDERIC ]. HASKIN.
By FREDERIC ]. HASKIN.

Goodhue. a quarter OF a century before,
VIXEN he opposed the establishment OF the
National Capital on the banks Of the PO-
tonae on the ground that it was too Tar
west-that the nation would never spread
50 far as TO make that its center, Il re-
NAMED for Emerson 10 say. Europe
stretches TO the AlIeghanies. America is
beyond, and for political divisions such
as Arizona 70 rise in refutation Of Good
hue's and Quinoy's theories and prove a
right to the title OF true American" by
overcoming all natural and political diff
culties and make herself fit for high rank
among the other States.
Even as Arizona's fight fer individual
Statehood has been stirring and pictur-
esque. so has been all her previous his
tory Arizona was first discovered for
the white man by a slave. an Arabian
negro named Estevanico. known in his
tory as BLACK Stephen" and owned by
some Spanish explorers OF the time Of
Coronado. He had been a slave in de
Narvaezs party, was one OF the eight
taken into captivity by the Indians. When
they finally escaped EstevanicO was sold
10 Spaniards in Mexico and with them
went on the exploring expedition which
Fray Marcos de Mia took out across the
unknown desert lands in search OF the
Seven Cities OF Cieols- They went out in
lag, hearing from the Indians they met
OF pearls, OF turquoises and wonderful
cities. They found only huts and adobe
forts and with Black Stephen ever ahead
passed on into Arizona where the slave
was killed by the Indians
The next year Coronado passed over
the present site Of Tucson. and when he
foiind the country not so prosperous as
Fray Mia had told him. he sent that
worthy post haste back into Mexico 10
do penance for the sin Of exaggeration.
IN the latter part Of the sixteenth century
there were Jesuit missions in what is
now Arizona By f720 there were twenty
nine in all. with seventy-three Christian
Indian pueblos. Americans soon followed
the trail the Spaniard had made and by
iSiS. Tucson had 80 inhabitants and
Tubac 249. In 1876 Gen. Kearny had passed
through on his WAY 10 California He was
followed by Col. Cooke and his Morrnons
who set up the first American flag in
tie State at Tucson. and opened the
route over which thousands later went
out 70 the California gold fields. In 1881
the first government exploration Of North
ern Arizona was made. and IN 1853 South
den Purchase for 100000
In 1888 the Butterfeld stage line was
put in operation from Marshall. Tex, 10
San Diego, Cal. by Way OF Tucson. the
circulars that solicited patronage an
nouncing that protection by armed force
would be given against bandits and IN
dams. II was then and even thirty years
later that Arizona proved that she. TOO.
had heroes among her children. There
was William G. Greene. who only twenty
seven years ago played the role OF Paul
Revere and rode night and day 20 warn
settlers Of the uprising OF the Indians of
the San Carlos reservation There was
Homer Nettler. a lone prospector. who
at the cost of his life. protected a band
OF women and children he had never be-
fore seen, until the men Of their party
returned 10 defeat the Indians. There
was Felix Knox who. in 1881. spranE from
his wagon and guarded his retreat that
his wife and children might be saved.
When a rescue party found Knox's body
Il was riddled with bullets. but an ad-
miring enemy had laid the limbs IN repose
and covered the body with one OF their
own gay blankets.
The pages OF Arizona history are richly
illuminated with the deeds OF daring
done by the men who have made her
what she IS. and because OF these men
the greatness of their work and the later
success OF those for whom they wrought.
the Territory deserves the Statehood now
denied her. She has seen Utah and Ne
vada. desert lands more than she. come
into the ranks Of the Commonwealth
and yet though trains laden with the
products OF mine and field Obliterate the
Indian trail. and schools and churches
supplant the lone cabin Of the cowboy:
though they are limitless ranges for cat
tie and farm lands that. when irrigated,
Will hold quarter Of a million more agri-