Arizona republican., 1922-04-12

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woman to set foot in the Salt River
valley, and she is still living. hale and
hearty. on the original property on
South Seventh street purchased from
the government in 1868.
Columbus II. Gray. husband of
Mrs. Gray, was prominent in the
development of the valley and Of
Phoenix and helped to build the
Dutch Ditch,p branch of the orig
lnal Swilling canal.
Il was only by chance that Mr. and
Mrs. Gray settled in the Salt River
valley instead Of going TO California,
which was their original destination
Mrs. Gray was so enthusiastic about
the prospects OF living here that the
pioneer couple changed their plans
and decided to make this district
their permanent home. Mrs. Gray
interestingly recounts many Of their
experiences OF the early days.
On their way to California, the
Gray caravan stopped at Maricopa
Wells on account of illness in the
partv. They rested at the Wells Tor
nearly three weeks. One day a rider
appeared in camp with glowing tales
of the wonderful prospects OF the
newly opened territory. Deciding 10
give the stranger a chance to prove
his statements, the entire caravan
went into the valley.
Attracted by Climate
one of reasons Mrs. Gray came TO
the west was for the Deneflt OF aner
health and immediately following
her arrival in the Salt River valley
she began to gain in strength and
vitality. Mr.. Cray was greatly
pleased both with the healthfuiness
of the climate and the agricultural
prospects OF the country so 1t was
decided to remain.
Runlors were aflost at that time
that a railroad was to be bulH
through the district, and that the
railroad would be given alternate
Shctions of land extending 80 miles
on each side of the line. Mr.. Gray
home ranch was on one or the sec
tfons which would become the prop
erty of the railroad II the pfolecl
rnsfarialized, SO he could not nome
stead 1t. In order to secure IL Ililalis
he paid small sum per acre Ior MS
land under the old prescription act.
Mrs. Gray will be 16 of age next
iuoonth. and is a native OF Arkansas.
STorether with her husband and an
otl1er family. she started for the west
sIE wears ago. The entire journey
v.as made in the old prairie schoon-
ere Arriving in Texas the in1rnl-
era,,ts were compelled to wait untn
: large marty could be recruited 10
r,alxe the rest Of the journey across
the Indian infested regions Oh the
southwest. -
In those days the Comrade ana
Apache Indians were very fierce allu
took every opportunity 10 MASSEY
small bands of settlers. IheIe Wets
fn ATlZOQa
and both of these we're extreineiS
Ganeerous. The upper route ran
ghrouoI1 a region where water was
,,iar,tif,,l hut where the Indians were
ip,s,-+ic,,larIv bad. The lower route
,,sent through the arid lands. Wnere
'ften the water supplies were ~
,ssifsx snart but on the dry" route
the Indians We're fewer.
Mo Serious Mishap
,rbs GRAY rarty decided Tor me
,,n,sr ros1te and managed to make
the arduous trip without sellous
n9ishap. No hostile Indians appeareo
during the entire trip after Ine eSos
liver had been crossed. Inc pay
went through Tucson to MaIleopSe ee
Wells. where the advance agens o ot
the Salt River valley cnS.t,o'.s cnanlpst, Us
.avo,,,erc persuaded the new settlers
to change their destination.
The Y9arty intended only to pass 10
v,ass short time in the valley, now
eyer Ia rest up there continuing the
l,ard trit, TO California. Mr.. ana Mrs.
Crav we're the only ones to make llle
rralfev their permanent home, the
remainder of the party continuing 70
the coast later. s.~
Mr. GRAY was one OF the IouhucAs
OF the city of Phoenix ana Wa lI.,4 .
Sivner of the articles OF aSfeeil,ssIie
drawn up by the Salt River vailey
Town association. Mr.. Gray. now
ever. did not go into business ~
phoenix. He began the deVeloplllelle
- his 800 acre farm in the SUBURBS.
q ne r.. b,,iif the second house in the
,..,iev and the couple lived in 1t %
,Sars Mr.. Gray's chief hobby was
~ growing OF roses. He had the
ti-sest rose garden IN the valley
l-eaning 900 varieties of ever bloom :
~ heauties in cultivation. Most OF
tbexe fine plants were ralned py q
drouth many years ago and nave
Seen :seianted. an
Alter living in the valley Tor ~
~aars Mrs. Gray returned TO Arkan-
sas to visit her friends ana pareIlls. p, -
she persuaded her father ana notneI
Nv and Mrs. J. NJ. Norris. 10 rslut u
with her. The old loiAo "StS
nIeased with the new country ana Re.
p,sined here until their deaths: MI.
NoTris lived to be 90 years OF age
and his wife 81.
Build Fine Home
one of the finest homes IN the ne, val
,ay was built by Mr. Gray in 1871 or
ais property south Of Phoenix. II was
huilt OF brick, solid and imposing
structure with tower on the soutn-
ssst corner. Mr.. and Mrs. Gray were
sorced to occupy the new home be-
fore It had been finished as a big
s1ood threatened TO destroy the OLD
adobe house in which they had been
TTpon it's completion. the new home
costing $4,000, was the show place
~ phoenix and every visitor to the
eitv was over to view the magnit-
ieent rose gardens. Seventh street
in the early days was one OF the
.h,lsiest streets in Phoenix, corre-
spending to the present day Central
avenue.
Mi. Gray. in addition to being a
pics.eer of Arizona. Joined the gold
,.issh to California in 1850 He made
ibe Journey by water. landing in Sar
Francisco when that city was a for
est OF tents. During the 10 years OF
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