Arizona's Yesterdays

A glimpse or two into another century when Arizona territory was the wildest and gayest place in the world, and no matter what else you were you were never bored or the times were never dull. Presented in cooperation with Department of Library and Archives, State Capitol Building

PROCLAMATION.

TO THE PEOPLE OF ARIZONA: I, JOHN N. GOODWIN, having been appointed by the President of the United States, and duly qualified, as Governor of the TERRITORY OF ARIZONA, do hereby decree that by virtue of the powers with which I am invested by an Act of the Congress of the United States, providing a temporary government for the Territo ry, I shall this day proceed to organize said government. The provisions of the Act, and all laws and enact ments established thereby, will be enforced by the proper Territorial offices from and after this date. A preliminary census will forthwith be taken, and thereafter the Judicial Districts will be formed, and an election of members of the Legislative Assembly, and the other officers, provided by the Act, be ordered, I invoke the aid and co-operation of all citizens of the Territory in my efforts to establish a government whereby the security of life and property will be maintained throughout its limits, and its varied resources be rapidly and usefully developed The territorial governors of Arizona were a good and a bad lot. Some proved only easy-cushion appointees out of Washington, they feared the west and the territory they were sent to govern. These did not last long because the west was a stern master.

Gov. A. T. K. Safford was one of the best of the good governors. He felt a responsibility to the territory and to the scattered few thousands of residents who came early to make Arizona their home. Governor Safford served the state ably and well from 1871 to 1877. The city of Safford in Graham county was named after him.

This is the official proclamation setting up the first government in the territory of Arizona. On Dec. 29, 1863, able Gov. John N. Goodwin caused the proclamation to be declared. Momentous were his words that day: "I invoke the aid and co-operation of all citizens of the Territory in my efforts to establish a government whereby the security of life and property will be maintained throughout its limits, and its varied resources be rapidly and successfully developed."

In the gay but gawky Nineties, Bisbee and Tombstone went "a 'feuding" agin each other 'most every sunny, Sunday afternoon in the good old summertime. But they didn't pack shootin' irons. The west was a "growin" up in those days. The rivalry between the two towns was expressed on the honorable field of baseball combat. (To the tune: "On a Bicycle Built For Two!") One day an adventuresome photographer (gallant soul!) gathered the Two Speedy Nines of Bisbee and Tombstone together to have their tin-type took. (See above! The result takes its place in the colorful pages of Arizona's history. Please pipe the lids!) Posed in becoming attire, with the verve and dash as befits one of his place and prominence in Arizona's history, is Ed Schieffelin, the founder to Tombstone. Venturing alone into an Indian-infested region in search of mineral wealth, he was told he wouldn't find riches, but only his tombstone. His strike led to the gold rush. He called the camp "Tombstone."