OUR FAMOUS GHOST CITIES

NOVEMBER, 1931 ARIZONA HIGHWAYS

Due these outlaws. At one time, our government tried the Mexican trick of subsidizing the worst ones. Some chiefs were put on the payroll under one guise or another; others were enlisted as scouts.

Many times it was doubtful whether these scouts or the uncaptured ones were the worst offenders. They rarely stayed put, for most of them, as soon as they were fed up and could get weapons, broke loose again. In spite of money, food and peace, it seemed as if they loved the war path. Under their war chiefs, Manetevi, Pan Qui and Colohaqua, they continued their war of extermination and made life miserable for the soldiers.

Chief Manetevi, of the Mohaves, was rounded up by the commanding officer at La Paz and questioned. “Why cannot you Indians settle down and live peaceably. It is an easier life, more profitable and you can keep your lands to hunt or loaf all you wish?” The Indian looked disgusted. “White man like to hunt quail?” he asked. “Yes,” was the answer. “White man like to hunt bear?” “Yes,” was the reply. “White man like to hunt deer?” he continued. Again the answer was, “Yes.” “Huh,” said Menetevi, “Indian like to hunt white man. Same thing.”

First Reservation Formed

Finally the government tried to put the Indians on that strip of land along the Colorado river between La Paz and Parker and called it the Colorado River Indian reservation This was and still is the first Indian reservation in Arizona. It was thought that by having them so close to the soldiers in La Paz, they could be watched and thus controlled. All good Indians were supposed to stay on the reservation. All others were liable to be shot at sight. This did not help very much, for the whites had practically declared a war of extermination and all Indians were fair game any time. Even many of the army officers and other officials were advocating this war of extermination as the only solution to the Indian question. Depredations continued and it remained for a freighter to settle them. The soldiers could not guard all the freighters and the Indians were demanding an increase in tribute with every trip. One day, a well-known freighter was jumped by an unusually large bunch of renegades. As usual, he dropped off a small wagon containing food, whipped up the rest of his outfit and left the Indians to their feast. It was the last feast for that particular band. Somehow, some arsenic and other assayers' supplies had become spilled over that food in the hurry and excitement. Other freighters got ideas and, for the first time, the Indians commenced to hesitate about leaving the reservation for the war path.

Wild Life in La Paz

Meanwhile, in La Paz, life went on in a manner perhaps never before known in an American city. Saloons were numerous and fully equipped with all kinds of gambling devices. Miners made rich strikes daily in the hills, but thought nothing of losing or doubling their money at the tables when they came in town. Situated in a hot spot, only the hardiest survived. Whiskey was the main beverage as to drink wine or beer was considered effeminate. Besides, freight rates were so high that only high powered drinks were worth while. Owing to the heat, Indians and lack of comforts, very few of the married men brought their families. Everybody went armed and life was short, so everyone enjoyed himself as best they could, while they were able.

Mohave squaws did most of the housework and met the domestic needs of the camp. These Mohave women were considered the most progressive and best looking of the Arizona Indians and besides, had a decided liking for white men. The few white men who seeped in from the east were usually men who had left home “for their country's good.” At this time, and for many years afterward, there was not a Protestant church in Arizona. The Catholic Padres from the south, occasionally reached La Paz and tried to make some sorts of a showing for Christianity, with but varying success.

Away from La Paz, water was scarce and valuable. Men gladly paid two dollars a gallon for it to drink and also to wash gold in the placers. Most of the necessities and all of the luxuries arrived by river steamers. George C. Perkins, famous afterwards as Senator from California, shipped most of the supplies from San Francisco to Guaymas, from whence it was trans-shipped to La Paz. M. M. O'Gorman acted as his Arizona agent and arranged for it to be shipped east, north and west until the discovery of Tombstone. By that time, the railroads were entering the Territory and new sources of supplies were opened up.

Ehrenberg Ferry Opened

Another ghost city that will interest you is Ehrenberg. Situated on the bank of the Colorado, it is easily seen from the road. It was the ferry crossing for years for the overland stage lines and when the Colorado in 1870 cut itself a new channel and left La Paz three miles inland, it became the shipping port for the steamers. Here, you will see a once big city built of adobes, slowly melting before the onslaught of the Colorado. Only the lonely graveyard, situated close to the road, is seemingly safe from the river. Here was instituted the first regular post office in Arizona. Joe Goldwater, of the famous Goldwater brothers was its first postmaster.

Even now the flow of gold continues and will continue indefinitely. Every big rain makes available new gold bearing sand in the washes and gulches. If you come for a vacation, bring a gold pan, an old frying pan will do and try your luck. All Quartzite stores are equipped with gold scales and you will often see some grizzled old times, just in from the hills, purchase his supplies with pinches (Continued on Page 22)