The border vidette., 1926-06-12
FORTS OFFICIALLY MARKED
tombstone Epitaph)

GeO. II. Kelly. STATE historian,
were in Tombstone last Satur.
day afternoon enroute to Douglas
after having been present at the
markings of Forts Mason and
Buchanan during the day. These
markings we're placed at these
old forts by the state road de-
partment under instructions is
sued by Governor Hunt. The
first ceremonies we're held at
at Fort Mason, twelve miles
southeast of Tubac and one mile
north of the state highway con
Meeting Nogales and Tucson in
the vicinity Of Gala abasas. The
state officials present were the
governor and historian, Adjutapt
General Harrison and g. N.
Zander. secretary Of the public
institutions commission. Col.
Faulkner Of the Twenty fifth in
fantry, stationed at Nogales,
with his staff and regimental
band, were present at the Fort
Mason ceremonies, and Col.
Faulkner addressed those pre-
sent, exp, essing warm commen
dation for the work undertaken
by the governor of Arizona to
mark these old scenes of military
: activities in Arizona during the
early days of the history Of All
zona. Governor Hunt was in
troduced by Mr.. Zander, who
| presided during the program.
The governor said that it was
his intention to place suitable
markings at all the old and
abandoned military postsNin the
state of Arizona, and further
said that locations of graves of
pioneers who we're murdered by
Indians and yet unmarked were
being gathered with the purpose
of placing headstones at these
graves, where rested the remains
of many brave men. who were
eagerly engaged in the develop
ment of Arizona. He spoke in
the highest praise of the mill
tary, who came into the country
to protect these hardy pioneers
against the murderous Apache
| Indians who stubbornly opposed
the march Of civilization in the
southwest. Major Kelly also was
introduced and recounted the
progress Of Arizona since the
first military came into what is
now Arizona to take possession
of it after the requirement as 4
result Of the Gadsdes purchase.
He related til at in 1865 The first
record was made Of any payment
of taxes in ARIZONA, the total
amount being between eleven
and twelve hundred dollars, and
then said that the total taxes col
lected in the state of Arizona
for the year 1925 amounted to
between three and four million
dollars and that Arizona had
grown as the result of the start
made by the pioneers and the
and the protecting military to be
the richest mineral state of the
union as shown by statistics of
the mining industry. Arizona
produces more copper than any
state in the union besides much
gold, silver and lead, said the
historian. Mention was also
made by the historian of the
great agricultural development
in the state, of the building of
Roosevelt storage dam and of the
beginning of another great stor.
age dam at San Carlos on the
Gila river.
Mr.. lander told more of the
history of the old military posts,
and J. e. Wise, who resides near
to Fort Mason, recited some very
interesting history of the early
settlements made by the white
men after the. old fort had been
abandoned and of the long and
tedious litigation over titles
which were badly messed up by
old Spanish and Mexico grants.
After The ceremonies at Fort
Mason had been completed the
party went TO Nogales for lunch
and in the afternoon returned
TO Fort Buchanan, accompanied
by number Of citizens of Noga
les and of the vicinity cf Sonoita.
Here was present the Tenth
cavalry band from Fort Huachu
cy, accompanied by Captain
Taylor. The ceremonies at Blu
chanan were similar to those at
Fort Mason with the additional
speakers including A. H. Gardn.
or of Tombstone, and Judge Duf.
fy of Nogales. Mr.. Gardner re