An Image of History

An Image of History ARIZONA PIONEERS HISTORICAL SOCIETY

In March, 1960, historians and buffs (amateurs interested in History) gathered in the block-long building across from the University of Arizona campus in Tucson. They had come from all over the West to hear other historians and pioneers alike, tell of the exciting days of Arizona's past. In March, 1961, the Second Annual Arizona Historical Convention drew even larger crowds as a tribute to Arizona's heritage and to the two institutions sponsoring the convention: The Arizona Pioneers' Historical Society and the University of Arizona.

The Society of Arizona Pioneers' was organized in 1884 by a group of Arizona citizens who recognized the need for the preservation of the heritage of the Territory for its future sons. It was none other than Charles D. Poston, "the Father of Arizona," who called these citizens together and issued the invitation to join in forming a group which would be social in nature. But in wording their constitution, they implied the ideas of "collecting and preserving" documents, photographs and family papers, and a desire to secure and save our historic locations. At this organizational gathering in Tucson on January 31, 1884, the group of pioneers prepared a constitution based on that of the Society of California Pioneers. On February 9th of that year, this constitution and by-laws were adopted. The organization incorporated itself on March 3, 1884, with its temporary roster of officers made up of William S. Oury, Hiram S. Stevens, Peter R. Brady and Thomas J. Jeffords of Cochise treaty fame as vice-presidents. William J. Osborn was the first secretary. Other positions were held by James H. Toole and Nathan B. Appel. The Directors were William C. Davis, Dr. John C. Handy, Samuel Hughes and James Quinlan. On March 18, 1897, the Legislative Assembly approved the Society as Trustee for the Territorial records, at the same time changing the name to the Arizona Pioneers' Historical Society. The results of these early beginnings have borne fruit in the presence of today's facilities of the Society.

The first meetings of the Society were held in the Probate Room in Tucson. By June 3, 1884, it had obtained a small space in the City Hall which was rented for $12.00 per year. For many years the museum exhibits and the library were shifted from rented upstairs quarters to loaned downstairs facilities. The early day meetings of the Society centered on social functions and reunions where those so proud of their part in Arizona's history might recount tales of Apache raids or of trips overland on the stagecoach lines. Many of these men and women have since become well-known in the state annals for their contributions towards the development of the state. Names such as Charles D. Poston, Solomon Warner, J. H. Mansfield, Isaac Polhamus and Sidney R. DeLong graced the rosters of officers, or appeared on official documents relating to Society business. For awhile the Society found lodging in the University of Arizona stadium until such time as funds could be raised for the construction of a permanent building. In the maturation of the Society, it has been the Secretary who carried the burden of the workloads. Carlos Tully, Carl Miller, Lotus M. Royalty and especially Edith O. Kitt (now Secretary Emeritus) gathered documents, took down reminiscences and made improvements in the facility functions, without the benefit of any salary. For years the indefatigable Mrs. Kitt traveled in Arizona and throughout nearby states to gather together historical documents which rightfully belonged in Arizona. She talked to pioneers, taking down their reminiscences; asking for the photographs and family records. The perseverance of this woman in tracking down papers and in gathering materials for the Archives is probably the single-most important reason for the existence of the Society as it stands today. Mrs. Kitt's successor, Eleanor Sloan and the present Historical Secretary, Yndia Smalley Moore are responsible for the "big business" approach, keeping the Society abreast of the times.

In 1954, the Society Board of Directors under the leadership of Dr. Robert H. Forbes, Dr. Neison C. Bledsoe and George Chambers, foresaw in the Society its proper place as the "State Historical Society," aware of the part it would have to play along with the growth of the state. Through benefactors of the Society, the sum of $125,000 was secured and the State Legislature provided matching funds for the construction of the new building located at 949 East Second Street in Tucson. The organization is today supported principally by State funds which are utilized for salaries, operations and general maintenance. Funds from memberships supplement the State allocations provided by the State Legislature.

In the first years of the organization, only male members could participate in the Society, but later on the women were also looked upon as hardy pioneers. These men and women had the foresight to give to the Society their family records, diaries, journals, manuscripts, pictures and other types of documentary material for organization and safe preservation. These are found today in the Archives of the Society along with the thousands of items since received. They are being used by some 450 researchers each month. Without these collections of documents, much would have been lost, never again to be seen by those who are writing and telling the stories today. It is in the Archives that the thousands of newspapers, documents, maps, biographical files and pictures have been preserved for the use of those interested in the reconstruction of some phase of history. Over 102 years of Arizona newspapers tell of daily events starting with the first issue of the (Tubac) Weekly Avizonian of 1859. Such rare issues of gazettes like the (Tombstone) Arizona Kicker or the (Fort Bowie) Semi-Monthly Pickwick can be seen in the files. Today microfilming reproduces the newspapers and makes storage much less a problem. There is, however, no substitute for the han-dling and reading of the St. Jobuns Herald of September 8, 1887, published the day after Commodore Perry Owens, Sheriff of Apache County wiped out the Blevins and Coopers at Holbrook, or that issue of the Bisbee Daily Review of June 2, 1906 which described how Emilio Kosterlitzky brought his force of Rurales to Cananea to quell the riots at the rich American copper mines. Though worn from time and use, these papers are retained, but pulled from circulation.

Photographs by Ray Manley

ARIZONA PIONEERS' HISTORICAL SOCIETY SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Some 6000 biographical files tell the personal story of individuals who played a role in Arizona history. Many of these files were the gift of Senator Carl Hayden who foresaw their utmost usefulness and the information they would provide. For a number of years, Senator Hayden and his small staff ferreted out invaluable data on Arizona's settlers (in Arizona before 1870) from the National Archives, from libraries, historical societies and institutions in states bordering Arizona. These files contain reminiscences of pioneers which describe such episodes as the founding of Colonel Hooker's Sierra Bonita Cattle Ranch in Graham County; Brigadier General B. J. D. Irwin's account of the Bascom incident in Apache Pass; and John A. Spring's accounts of life at the old military posts and of Indian raids and skirmishes.

Among the more than 40,000 photographs of Southwestern people, places and events, are found the famous stereoscopic views taken during the Major John Wesley Powell expeditions of the 1870's; and the Will C. Barnes collection of stereoscopic views recorded by the Lieutenant George M. Wheeler expeditions through the northern part of the Territories during the 1870's. Barnes, like so many others, collected these photographs and donated them to the Society. Glass slides and plates from State Historian Dan Williamson, Army campaigner Anton Mazzanovich, Scientist Andrew Ellicott Douglass and Professor Frank C. Lockwood make up a part of the film library. These show visible stories of early day Prescott and Flagstaff or of certain Indian groups such as the Apache, Hopi and Navajo.

Hundreds of rare books line the shelves of the W. J. Holliday collection and the Pioneer library, covering every area of the Trans-Mississippi West and Northern Mexico. In the rare book section, one may find the Kingsborough volumes of rare pictographs and drawings; one of the three known complete sets which contain the colored plates and sketches. The Aguiar documents include the official papers of Mexican officials in Sinaloa, Puebla, Colima, Jalisco and other places in Mexico from the period 1826 to 1835. In the Frederick S. Dellenbaugh collection are original oil paintings made during the Powell expeditions, and original notes and papers scribbled out by members of the expedition which have been carefully arranged for use by researchers. The John Francis Holme collection of Holmesiana is the first known full set of Bandar-Log Press publications, and includes pen-and-ink drawings, pencil sketches, water colors and photographs. Sections of the book division reveal extremely rare military publications such as Major General Irvin McDowell's Outline Descriptions of Pacific Military Posts and General Thomas Hunter's Uniforms of the Army of the United States.

Map files in a separate library division contain some 5000 items: Maps of Spanish possessions, land grants and missions, and maps of the Mexican period 1821-1846, on mining. Others which can be used, deal with forest reserves, national parks, Indian reservations and early Arizona cities. Ground plans of military forts, from Texas to California are available for the student of the United States Army; and exploration maps for the researcher dealing with early topography, are just several types which can be utilized in the library.

The Special Collection Division houses 500 individual and family collections representing materials given to the Society by those who correctly envisioned their usefulness and found pride in the part their family played in the growth of this State. Here is found the real heart of Arizoniana. Here are the records of successful businessmen; of miners who never made their strike; of cattle ranchers who found success and then lost it. Tape recordings bring back to life the words of those who were remembering their early days, both tragic and amusing. By studying the correspondence, papers, journals, diaries and account books of such men as Congressional Medal of Honor winner Will C. Barnes, of Forestry Supervisor Frederick Winn, of politician Eugene Ives or Botanist Daniel T. McDougal, students are provided with clear insights into the thinking and personalities of these individuals. Browsing through this division one sees such familiar names as publisher Frank Alkire, cattle rancher Evans Coleman, businessman Mose Drachman, cowboy Uncle Billy Fourr, Tombstone's George Whitwell Parsons and Indian Agent Richard Van Valkenburgh. One entire section is devoted to John and Isabella Greenway, whose papers are kept at the Society for preservation. The original diaries of the irascible George Hand are on the shelves near the unbelievable collection of Charles B. Gatewood which includes many documents, maps and pictures taken during the Apache campaigns of the late 1880's. Through the far sightedness of A. M. "Jake" Meyer, United States Marshal of Tucson, permission was received from Washington to give to the Society, papers of United States Marshals from 1880 to 1928. etters, telegrams, court documents, legal papers and wanted posters make up this vast collection. All of these names and the records left behind tell the exciting story of a part of Southwestern history.

A separate section of the library holds many runs of journals and magazines. Important for researching out facts of history, as a very few examples, are the American Anthropologist, Land of Sunshine, Century Magazine, Field and Stream, Arizona and the West, and theNew Mexico Historical Review. This section spans over one hundred years of printed material including rare issues which contain little-known sketches by now-famous illustrators of the West.

In July of last year, the Society announced the publication of A Guide to the Collections of the Arizona Pioneers' Historical Society. The issuance of this Guide culminated a 21/½-year project aimed at inventorying the total collections of materials in the Society Archives. Ray Brandes, Historian, compiled and edited the publication with the assistance of Mrs. Lloyd Agee, Secretary, which has now been sent to research institutions throughout the country as a means of acquainting these libraries and historical societies with the vast amount of materialavailable for their use. No materials ever leave the Historical Society; the idea being that such documents should be at hand for the use of all at any time. Research organizations, universities and grant institutions are being encouraged to send their students to the Arizona Pioneers' Historical Society where individuals can search out data in the preparation of their studies. Within the past few years, professors from Yale University, the University of Utah, the University of California and a number of other like institutions are preparing works based on materials from these Archives. Various medias of entertainment have sent their research associates tothe library for television and movie productions, for radio and newspaper work. A never-ending stream of material has become available for telling the the story of history as it happened in the West. A tour through the museum hall reflects what the public has called an "Image of the Past." The visitor may follow some nineteen exhibits arranged the way that history occurred in Arizona. Running counter-clockwise around the hall, exhibits begin with the "Indian cultures of Arizona." Each display is an entity in itself, and so arranged that examples of the handiwork of that particular period are displayed, labeled and made self-explanatory. In an ensuing exhibit, the Spanish Conquistadores are depicted. These soldiers who probed the Southwest with Coronado and Oñate in search of the fabulous Seven Cities of Gold, hold a rightful place in our story. The display holds examples of 16th Century Spanish bronze stirrups, an 18th Century Sash pistol, bits, spurs and conchas. A colored illustration of a Conquistador, by artist Don Louis Perceval, illuminates this exhibit. Some of the documentary evidence and vestments used by the untiring Jesuit Padres are shown in a display titled "Mission outposts." Theirs was not only a christianizing endeavor but a desire to make life easier for the native groups like the Pima and Papago, through instruction in agriculture, cattle raising, carpentry and irrigation. The Mexican period from 1821 to 1848 brought into the Southwest many new families responsible for the growth of the country south of the Gila River, and added further impetus to the building of the cattle and livestock industries. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and the Gadsden Purchase of 1854 added to the United States the very land on which many Arizonans now live. In the exhibit "Settlers out of Mexico," sketches of the ranches and articles of utility which were homemade by the Mexican settlers, proved their ability to adapt themselves to a new environment.

While Arizona was still a part of Mexico, American traders and trappers moved through the Southwest in search of beaver pelts and other game. In the exhibit Placer fields had been found on the Colorado and Gila Rivers and new discoveries were made at Tombstone, Bisbee, Prescott and Globe. The display provides a model arrastra (ore grinding mill), surveyors' instruments, gold scales and representative examples of minerals.

Only during the Civil War years, from 1861 to 1865, was there any interruption in the settlement of the Territory. During this time, in 1863, through the work of Charles D. Poston, Arizona achieved Territorial status and thus it remained until 1912 when Statehood was attained. The "Civil War in the West 1861-1865," presents examples of weapons, cavalry saddles and trappings used by men of the California Column and the Confederate forces who came through the area. The "Apache "Americans West-1846," examples of an 1847 Colt repeater revolver, a single shot percussion rifle and a powder horn highlight the story which leads up to the Mexican War and General Stephen Watts Kearney's proclamation of August 22, 1846, which declared New Mexico Territory a part of the Union. Arizona was then a part of this Territory. "Mines and Mining," find a place in the chronological story, for the Spanish miners, Mexican citizens and American adventurers were all interested in the search for gold, silver and valuable minerals. Charles D. Poston traveled through present-day Arizona as early as 1859. By the 1860's and 1870's rich Raiders" are often credited for holding up the settlers in their attempts to move into the country. This display shows Indian peace medals given to certain Apache chieftains by the United States Government as a means of obtaining their friendship. Examples of the Apache craftmanship is found in rawhide pouches, moccasins, saddlebags and beadwork. "Hoofs and Horns" provides excellent types of chaps, branding irons, and equipment used by Mexican vaqueros and American cowboys. In this exhibit case are a double-barreled Remington shotgun and a pearl-handled Colt .45, once the properties of John Slaughter. Brief histories are provided on such out-

Reminders of early days on the range

standing ranches as the Sierra Bonita, owned by Colonel Henry Hooker; the Vail Brothers Empire Ranch; and the northern Hashknife and Moroni outfits.

This into Arizona, provided an easier means of transpor tation. The Museum Hall would not be complete without a display on "Outlaws and Lawmen." This is amply portrayed by the inclusion of various types of rifles, blackjacks and handcuffs used by law enforcement officers. The compass and sawed-off shotgun owned by Jeff Milson are on display as are Jalus Sihoughter's handcuffs, Invitations to executions are mounted and estily viewed. The isst of the permanent displays, "Pioneer Life," bring back many memories by the aid of school books, children's marbles, roys of all kinds and wearing apparel. An unusual Victorian doll carriage catches the eye eye of most tourists, for its unique style.

Of special interest to school children are the recreated rooms showing period furniture of the kitchen, perior and bedroom, which have been of special help to children learning about the pioneer way of life. A gam bing room and saloon, and the front desk of the Ormdorff Hotel attract many tourists, who continue to sign the old register, or ring the bell on the desk. In the patio are the "Rock and Mineral" display and several giam ore buckets. In this open ares are the Butterfield Stage Coach and the roos fire engine, which were ro cently returned to the Society when it obtained its new building.

Within the past two years three factors have increased tourist attendance: the population growth of Arizona, year-round vacationers, where winter tourists were once predominent; and the incresse of interest in Western History, through various medias of entertainment. In the fall of of 1959 Mrs. Yndis Smalley Moore, Historical Secretary, Mr. Ray Brandes, Historian; staff members, and the Board of Directors, with Mr. Harold Steinfeld as President of the Society, undertook to broeden the scope of Society activities. The increased visitor szendance and increasing member of school children placed new demands upon the organization. Some 450 researchers and 4,000 visitors are touring the facilities each month.

Education is a primary function of the Society. There. fore, during the school year, lectures are pre-arranged und given to groups of students from the second grade through high school level. Illustrated with slides, talken from pictures showing the Southwest before 1900, the talks are geared to studies carrently being undertaken by the children. During 1960-rçár school year, some raso boys and giris attended the lectures. Schools from all parts of the state have made the Historical Society a pert of their field trips during each semester.

In the summer of 1961, a series of nine special workshops were held each Wednesday in the Society Museura Hall. Lecturers spoke to some 1500 children between the ages of 8 and 16 on these subjects: The World of Children's Books, Stamp Collecting, Model Soldiers, Archaeology, Arizona History, Model Railroading, Coin Collecting, Postal History, and the Arizons Sonora Desert Museum brought its Desert Ask to the building. The series was meant to encourage in the children an interest in one of these hobbies or subjects and to provide educational information for them.

A new horizon was added to activities in the establishment of the field of Postal History of the West. There is no other undertaking of this kind in existence, west of the Mississippi River. The objectives are to gather and preserve specimens of the mail of all periods for the Western States, such as covers, postmarks and letters. The gathering of historic objects relating to the transportation and distribution of mail is a goal. Lastly there is a wish to foster the study and perform research on postal history from the days of the Pony Express to the present-day jes mail. Recently, the Postal History Department held a special event in Tucson and Mr. David Bunn of the Denver Regional Office, U.S. Postoffice Department, dedicated a restored Territorial Post Office, now in the possession of the Society. It had been ased by the postmasters in Benson and St. David for some years. Responsible for this important undertaking of the Society are, Mr. William L. Alexander, formerly Curator of Postal History for the Carnegie Museum in Pittsburgh, who joined this organization as Honorary Philatelic Curator, and Mr. Albert W. Evans, Associate Philatelic Curator. The sponsoring group for this project are appropriately called the "Philatelic Rangers"; man from all over the United States who see the importance in postal history. They are the recipients of special "Deputy Sheriff" badges for their contributions.

In September, 1950, under the sponsorship of the Historical Society, there was held in Phoenix an organizational meeting of the "Committee for the Preservation and Restoration of Historic Sites in Arizona." A long overdue program was outlined to do something about the diminishing evidence of our physical heritage. The "Committee" has been surveying for hundreds of historic buildings, routes and trails, or places where events occurred. This job is being accomplished by ways work ing in every county. When accomplished in its entirety, locations will be screened and those spots deserving memorials will receive bronze markers, with the help of State, County and City Governments, as well as through private enterprise. The ultimate goal will be to direct preservative of or restorative action upon buildings or areas deemed most outstanding.

Perhaps the single most important educational and informational publication is the Journal of Arizona History: Arizontara, issued four times a year. This journal, in its second year of publication, is sent free to members, but can be obtained by writing to Ray Brandes, Editor, Arizoniana, Arizona Pioneers Historical Society, 940 East Second Street, Tucson. A single subscription price is $9.00 per year. The format is built around articles of Arizona interest but is not necessarily limited to the political boundaries of the State.

Membership in the Society has almost doubled within the past two years. Memberships of all kinds total about 1400, with some 150 institutions participating by reason of their subscriptions to the Society journal, Arizoniana.

To give recognition to long-time residents, the Society carries three categories of memberships, at a lower dues rate.

PIONEER: Which includes descendants of residents of Arizona who arrived prior to January 1, 1870.

TERRITORIAL: Residents of Arizona before February 14, 1912, or their direct descendants.

their direct descendants. HISTORICAL: Residents of Arizona for 30 years, or These three types of membership can be obtained for an initial admission fee of $1.00 and $3.00 yearly dues. There have been, however, so many newcomers to the State, and so many individuals living outside the State who are interested in Arizona's history, that pro vision was made whereby these persons could become Participating members with no residential requirement necessary. An initial admission fee of $3.00 and $5.00 yearly does permits membership and receipt of the journal. With the Society's growing interest in the the youth, still another classification allows students between and are years of age to join for an initial admission fee of $3.00 and $2.00 yearly dues, qualifying them as a Junior member.

Arizona's history was formed under the flags of Spain, Mexico, the Confederacy and the United States. For over four hundred years the chroniclers have been writ ing the story. The Arizona Pioneers' Historical Society as the "State Historical Society," is portraying the duet role of safeguarding this information and of passing it on.

to our future sons, just as the Society of Arizona Pio neers' vowed they would do seventy-seven years ago.