Arizona republican., 1912-04-08
WHITE
 PHOENIX BABY
J. M. Barney Digs Deeply Into a Subject That Has Created Considerable In terest Here Recently and Presents His Findings

horseback historian. Barney does his work chiefly for the fun of il and does it thoroughly, taking all the pains necessary for accuracy. He is not a Bancroft nor a Prescott but as far as he goes he is probably as dependable as either and in the mat ter of who was the first Phoenix baby he has taken a great deal Of in terest. He has searched all the available Arizona newspaper files and all other sources of information he knew about and offers the following deductions and evidence on a ques- tion that has recently attracted some local interest by relsOn of conflicting claims:
 The question. Who was the first white child born in Phoenix?" has never been settled with any degree of satisfaction and still forms a topic of much interest in the annals of Phoenix history Several pioneer families have claimed the honor of parentage to this child. but the sub ject is yet somewhat clOuded in un- certainty. Interest in this matter has been recently revived by the receipt of letters from two of the claimants to the honor. which have been given publicity in the press Of this city
 It is first necessary to set date beyond which it would appear need less to search records or advance proofs and this date can only be ls- sumed as October 20, 1S70 upon which day the townsite of Phoenix was selected. it's name officially chosen by a committee. the first com missiOners appointed and marking the definite beginning of the history of the present city of Phoenix. The first public sale of town lots occurred on Friday and Saturday: December 23 and 24. 1870. and work upon the first structure to be erected on the townsite was commenced shortly afterwards, the building. when completed. being occupied by William Smith. the first merchant of Phoenix
 In some newspaper correspondence from Phoenix. under date of Nov. S. 1872. We find the following:
 "Born-In Phoenix, MaricOpa coun- ty. A. T. Nov. 5th, 1872. to the wife of NJ. Cavenness. a son. This is the first American child ever born in Phoenix Miner. Nov. 16 1872
 The above statement is further supplemented by the following item:
 The First-Mrs Matt Cavenness has the honor of giving birth to the first white child in Phoenix. Salt River valley. Maricopa county. and this child, a bouncing baby boy. was born Nov ,. 1S72"-Miner. Nov. 30. 1872.
 This refers to Mir A. T. Cavenness. now a resident of Raymond, state of Washington.
 Among the early marriage cere- monies to be performed in the val ley was that which occurred on Dec. :, 1871, between Mir M Caven- ness and Miss Alice Rowe, both of Salt River valley, the ceremony being performed by Justice of the Peace James A Young This account can be found in the Miner of Dec. 16. 1871
 In some further correspondence from Phoenix under date of Dec. F. 1872. We find the following:
 "The first American child born in the town was a daughter of Judge Kirkland. now nearly two years old Miner, Dec. 21. 1872
 As Judge Kirklands child was hardly two years old at the time of writing the above. she must have been born just before or a short time after the beginning of the year 1871. Although the statement is very indefinite, in view of the ab- sence of extensive data upon this subject, it must be accorded some consideration. In January of this year a letter was received from Mrs. Minnie Renter Ashburn of Patagonia. Arizona. in which she stated that she Was born at Phoenix on May F. 1871, and that she was the daugh- ter of "Bilr Renter At the demo- cratic county convention held at Phoenix on Saturday, Sept 2S. 1872. w D. Renter was delegate from Phoenix precinct and was appointed | by the chair on the credentials com mittee indicating that he must have 1 been quite well known in this To- 1 cality.
 The last to be heard from is Mir | oHiS' DdNitS, ol IlotHlN, WHO recent ] ly writes that his son, w. J. Davies, ! was born in Phoenix on Dec. 25, 1870 ! From the above. the following tabula- | ton of the subject can be made, for | future reference:
 October 20. 1S70-Phoenix tOwnsite i selected at mass meeting
 December 23 and "A. 1S7O-First | sale of lots in the townsite of Phoe- i nix.
 December g. .1S7O-Date of birth claimed for w. J. Davies
 About the beginning of 1871. birth 1 of Judge Kirkland's daughter.
 May F, 1871-Date of birth claimed | by Minnie Renter (Ashburn).
 November ,, 1S72-Established date of birth of A. T. Cavenness.
 Although the claim of Mir. CaVen- ness is placed last, it is by far the best substantiated by all the disin- terested evidence thus far brought forth. It will be understood of course. | that. as a rule, the only available records upon these matters are those 10 be found in the press notices of hat day
 
 Swords are no longer beaten into 'lowshares. The old ones are now worked m into parfS of autopo oohiIaS