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The Little Colorado Settlements of 1876
by Melvin J. Petersen
Students of early Arizona colonization along the Little Colorado River are intrigued by the fact that of the four original colonies established in 1876, only one continues to exist. Interest increases when early beginnings of the four colonies, Allen's Camp, Obed, Sunset, and Ballinger's Camp, reflect so many similarities that it would be natural to conclude that if one succeeded, all would succeed-or if one failed, all would fail. This paper examines major influences that affected the colonies, to see if perhaps some factors can be separated that will help determine survival or failure.
In January of 1876, President Brigham Young assigned the Quorum of the Twelve to call two hundred missionaries to go to Arizona. He instructed the Twelve that those called were to be the right kind of men, that there should be no "babyism" in the mission.
Early Attempts At Colonizing Arizona
Jacob Hamblin was called as a missionary to the Indians at the October conference of 1853. His missionary efforts had taken him into Arizona among some of the Indian tribes. The Navajos had at times been troublesome, and Jacob Hamblin had been a great moderator in keeping problems to a minimum. As the Indians became peaceful and permitted others to occupy their lands, the Church leadership envisioned colonization of the Little Colorado area.
In 1872 Brigham Young sent out the Arizona Exploring Company under the leadership of Bishop Lorenzo Roundy. Jacob Hamblin was a member of the group. They explored the Little Colorado River and the River Verde to recommend possible sites for colonization. Although their report was not negative, it lacked positive assurance that colonists would succeed in the areas scouted. Brigham Young was adamant; and in the spring of 1873, not many weeks after the Arizona Exploring Company had returned, he sent a company led by Horton D. Haight into the Arizona region with the possibility of colonizing. The country was unfriendly and undesirable to them; they returned with a negative report for the Church leader. Disappointed with the Haight expedition, Brigham Young refused to accept their report as final. George Q. Cannon reflected Brigham Young's attitude towards the colonizing of Arizona in a speech he gave in the Tabernacle in Salt Lake City in August of 1873:
Arizona has been mentioned. The President in his remarks this morning, alluded to Arizona, and to the labors of our pioneering brethren in that territory…. He has the spirit of the pioneer in him as much today probably, as he ever had. I am thankful that God fills him with this zeal and strength. I believe it was a true remark, that if he had been in Arizona, there would have been good places found for settlement.