Arizona republican., 1922-04-12
70 Her Many Honored Pioneers the
State of Arizona Owes a Great Debt
ONLY | BUILDING IN
PHOENIX WHEN GEO.
HAML IN ARRIVED

Few men were here before George
Hamlin in combating the wilderness
that was the territory of Arizona in
the lates SOS. Indeed, Arizona had
only been made separate from New
Mexico five years when Mr.. Hanlin
arrived in Phoenix after a rigorous
journey from New York on newly
opened railroads and hard riding
stage coaches.
AT the close OF the civil war, in
which Mr.. Han1lin had fought he set
out for Arizona to seek his fortune
in a new country which he had heard
was full of golden opportunities for
men who were not afraid When he
arrived in Phoenix five years than
half century ago, the first irrigat-
ing ditch was just being built by the
SWilling Canal company. After look
ing over the valley, he decided he
would not at once locate near Phoe-
nix, so he went forth to Prescott.
In the vicinity of Prescott Mr..
Hamlin established farm which he
worked for about four years, never
leaving his cabin without carrying a.
gun for protection against hostile In
dams who were a constant menace
to the settlers at that time. Always,
while plowing or cultivating his
fields, Mr.. Hamlin had his rifle with
in arms reach.
But farming did not satisfy this
pioneers desire for fortune or adven-
ture, although, speaking today of his
early agricultural work, Mr.. Hamlin
declares that "it was a lot of fun, and
much different from the life of the
present-day farmer whose rows are
asier hoed."
Attracted by the sudden fortunes
being taken from the ground in
precious metals, Han1lin in 1871 sold
his farm and began prospecting in
Mohave county. Until 1878 ne en-
gagged in mining ventures and at that
time returned TO Phoenix, where he
opened a livery stable in the Gardner
block. He operated this stable for
three years and then moved to a new
location at Central avenue and JEFF
ferson street, which he later sold to
George III. \. Luhrs. While operating
the livery stable, Hanalin ha6 a num-
ber OF blooded stations which were
famous in their day.
George HamIin took an active part
in the early life OF Phoenix and has
witnessed an amazing growth during
the 81 years he has been in Arizona.
His heart is still that OF a pioneer,
only satisfied in the building, and he
often wishes to be living again back
in the old days. when there was more
"fun."
Mrs. Hamlin Is also a pioneer and
came to Phoenix in 1879. She mar
ried Mr.. Hamlin in 1880 and has an
interesting fund of "reminiscences of
her early life in this city. The rio
neer couple are now living at 1899
East Monroe street, where they have
settled down to quiet life after the
strenuous days of their youth. They
have many fruit trees and a fine veg
etable garden upon which they ex-
pend much time and care.
Surrounded by dozens OF other
homes in the neighborhood, they can
remember the time when it was all
sagebrush and mesquite, and when
the only building in Phoenix was
small adobe on the site of the city
water works. Since Phoenix has
grown up" Mr.. Hamlin does not
now frequently visit the business dis
trict as he no longer can find his old
acquaintances there as they were
once wont to congregate.