Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1920-09-07
SHADES OF PAST REMIND CITY
VI APPROACHING ANNIVERSARY

Inc Unnamed Association Of the
oiuest Inhabitants came back from
saernlty yesterday to announce
Trough a special committee of the
tnanDer of commerce that the present
loWn OF Phoenix will be so years old
ocloDer 20 Glory be-
Inc matter of an appropriate cele-
Dratlon is now before the special COM
l..ee' although no plans have been
OuLnned, everything being in a tenta-
tive state awaiting public opinion and
expressions from old timers and others
interested
Members of the unnamed fraternity
came back as they had lived. sturdy,
strong, honest. wearing the same
ciothes they had worn SO years ago
with nothing of the Rip Van Wrinkle
type about them. They held a meet
ing in the head of the publicity man
or the chamber of commerce. It was
a well attended meeting and thew de-
cided above all alse that the revival of
the old days should be made as real
istic as possible.
Jack Swilling, noted frontiersmap
and builder of the first canal. was
chairman of the meeting, and Darrell
Duppa, who named the town. was the
secretary Among the most proni-
nent members of the 'eUnnamed'' nres-
ent We're Captain Hancock. Moore and
Grffen. Major Mckinney. ]. Y. IT
Smith and Al Dove.
The meeting did not open with
prayer. Chairman Swilling said
simply: Gentlemen, we are here today,
IN the name of Phoenix, to give thanks,
recall old days and lift cup of water
II the absence of anything stronger. .
Row Present Town Was Named
Lnal noted mass meeting of settlers
october 20, 1870. was recalled at the
meeting yesterday AT this mass
meeting Duppa, Moore and Griffin
were delegated a committee to look
Tor a new townsite. The meeting
was held at the old town of Phoenix
below what is now Joint Head and
which Duppa had named Phoenix be-
cause 1t was built upon the ruins of an
ancient pueblo. and in consequence
arose from its ashes. so to speak.
Captain Hancock at yesterdays
meeting said that at that mass meet
ing he urged that the new town of
Phoenix be situated at a point about
mile north of Rio Salado near the
Swilling ditch in the midst of the most
promising area of farming land. Cap
tain Hancock, retired Indian fighter
from Fort Mcdowell and an engineer
of foresight, recommended as the best
place for the townsite the north half
OF section 3. township / north, range 3
east. After discussion, he said yes
terday. the settlers decided in favor of
his proposal.
The committee on townsite hunting
namely, Duppa, Moore and Griffin,
the town.
Why Phoenix Was Moved
Chairman Swilling told why it was
necessary to move the town from the
old ruins. He said the people in those
days wanted more elbow room. He
said the town the ruins had a ten
dency to close them in and that fur
thermore the ditch had its intake near
the town. where no population was
needed. and that the farmers were
scattered pretty much below the town.
He said this made it inconvenient
for the farmers and settlers in general.
as they wanted their town more cen
trally located.
Duppa, who admitted yesterday he
was somewhat of a poet, said he op
posed moving the town because of its
prehistoric significance. Chairman
Swilling replied by saying: And YOU
would have let US climb over those
adobe nightmares until this day had
not Major Mckinney complained that
his saloon was losing business because
SO many of his customers fell over the
ruins and almost broke their neck"
Duppa smiled and said: But they
made me chairman of the committee
to select q new townsite."
Swiiling answered: They had to in
order to save your own neck. F."
Major Mckinney who has been sit
ting silently in one corner of the pub
licity mans head whipped out his
handkerchief as if about to polish
glasses and said: Gentlemen. what
will you have"
An imaginary Bar
Members of the Unnamed arose from
all parts of the head and approached
an imaginary bar. Chairman Swilling
raped for order and reminded mem
bers that the town had gone dry
Major Mckinney 1apsed into a state
of watchful waiting in hrs corner and
the meeting proceeded
The discussion now was centered on
the new town and many little things
were brought out which now stand as
pilIars of the City of Phoenix.
Mr.. Chairman" said Member Grit
fin, will Al Dove tell about our ilrs'
citv 5ail which stood where the Ma
tional Bank of Arizona now stands2'