Weekly journal-miner., 1916-10-11
MEMORABLE DAYS WHEN ARIZONA
 WAS YOUNG
PIONEER RECALLS MILL
 TARY EVENT SETTING THE PACE IN FOUNDING TERRITORY 53-YEARS AGO

October ;, 1863, just 5 years ago Thursday, marked what may appro- priatcly be termed the founding of Arizona as a territory. On that day, the first military expedition started from Fort Union, \. M., to take over the new country, under orders of the war department at Washington.
 This memorable occasion was re- vived by Alfred F. Banta yesterday, in conversing with friends in Prescott, and some interesting as well as thrill ing events were mentioned in connec- ton with this historical proceeding. Mir Banta among other things said:
 The long trek overland started under conditions in which the wild elation of all was shown in a patri- otic as we'll as enthusiastic desire to move into the new country, and or the theory that distance lends en- chantment every man was keyed up to the highest anticipation of what was waiting ahead. The command comprised Companies F and C of the First California Volunteer infantry, and a detachment of cavalry of the First California, all under the com mand of Brigadier General James H. Carleton. with Major Willis next in rank. The caravan also consisted of 60 OK teams, and single ambulance, drawn by four mules, with Dr. Lieb and wife aboard. Mrs. Lieb was the only woman with the expedition, and she will be remembered as in after years a resident of Prescott and the wife of Judge H. Brooks. General Carleton's command ''blazed the way for the gubernatorial party, which came along a few months later, found ing Arizona at Navajo Springs on December 29, 1863.
 "So far as the military advance guard figured it faced many dangers in fighting the Indian, building roads, and submitting to privations which make one shudder when the past is recalled. So far as l figured in that memorable day of history making, my position was to handle string of OK teams, and for which duty 1 was selected from former work in that line. I was only IS years old then, but had driven teams previously. The party entered Arizona by taking the old Beale immigrant route from AL buauerquc to as far as Antelope Springs. or what is now the City of Flagstaff From this point we drop ped down over the Mogollon noun tains making a new road south Of Bill Williams mountain, and taking an air line shoot to Chino valley, where Fort Whipple was established, on De cember 20, 1863. On the long trip out of New Mexico, we had many en- counters with the Apache, but for tunatcly not a single person lost his life in all fights Every man starting out finished in fine form, and the ard or of all was not in the least dimmcd by disappointment after we went into the last camp. Can any of this day conceive of the dangers, privatiOns and hardships of the long ago when is mentioned the vigilant Indian turk ing on all sides, the tortuous snail like pace in getting over the country in making new road, and the anxiety of every one to reach the goal:
 Fort Whipplc remained at Chino valley until May of 1864, and new Fort Whipple came into existence at the present site from and after that date. The gubcrnatorial party select ed the permanent scat Of government for Arizona, and the old capitol build ing arose in the wilderness.
 "To commemorate the military event, Carleton street in Prescott was named after the general commanding our expedition, while Willis street de- rivcs it's name after the officer next in command. Both were fine men and valiant soldiers. and they were be- loved by all. With one exception l claim 10 be the oldest living Arizonan north of the Gila river in point Of con tinuous residence, and the only one who leads me in the race is Sol Earth, who came in about six months prior to the military, and today Is a resi- dent of St. Johns, Apache county
  LARGE DEVELOPMENT