Villager MAR 08 grid.indd - Tubac Villager

with existing irrigation ditches showsthat few if any Mexican settlers hadaccompanied the troops back to Tubac.Its total population was hardly ahundred persons.Whether it was a lack of knowledgeabout arid farming methods ordrought, the Mormon crops plantedin the spring of 1852 failed. They soonpacked up their wagons and continuedon to the newly established Mormoncolony at San Bernardino, California.Shortly after the departure of theMormons, John Russell Bartlett andthe U.S. Boundary Commission passedthrough Tubac. Bartlett had met Capt.Gómez the year before in Fronteras.Living with Gómez was a sixteen-yearoldgirl named Inez González. Shewas the same young lady that Bartlettand the surveyors had rescued the yearbefore and returned to her family inSanta Cruz. The straight-laced Bartlettwas morally offended and insisted thatGómez do the right thing by marryingher.On the other hand, Officer made thefollowing observation:It is highly unlikely that Inez sharedBartlett’s concern. Gómez was arespected young officer with a brightfuture—an excellent catch by frontierstandards with or without benefit ofclergy. Furthermore, only a year earlier,the young Mexican woman had almostcertainly been the wife of an Apache—an uncomfortable status at best; a deadlyone at worst.Throughout 1852 & 1853 the situationon the frontier remained a constantstruggle. If the military-colonists wereexpected to raise their own produceand livestock, how could they protectthe territory from Apache raiding?If they were expected to be soldiers,where would they get food andsupplies?59Tubac & Tucson the Final Years of Mexican Rule 1848-1856 13A new commandant, Captain AndrésZenteno, was placed in command ofthe military colonies at Santa Cruz,Tucson and Tubac in November1853. Tubac was without supplies inearly 1854. Zenteno was forced toborrow mules and gunnysacks froma Calabasas sheep farm owned bySonora’s governor, Manuel MaríaGándara, to send for supplies fromSanta Cruz. Apache Indians attackedthe supply train at San Lázaro with theloss of life and supplies. Tubac was nowbeyond desperate.News of the ratification of theGadsden Purchase finally reachedTubac in September of 1854. By 1855the Tubac garrison was removed to themilitary colony at Santa Cruz, leavingthe small company at Tucson to protectthe Santa Cruz Valley once again.The Final DepartureIn the final days of Mexican occupancy,all but a handful of troops weretransferred from the Tucson presidioto Ímuris in January of 1856. Finaldeparture took place in Marchwhen a small contingent returnedfrom Ímuris under the command ofCaptain Hilarión García to transferthe remaining soldiers, civilians andgoods to their new post. Angel Elías,an official from Santa Cruz, arrivedabout the same time to escort any otherfamilies wishing to leave Tucson.It appears there was no officialceremony or exchange of formalities.No thank you from American officialsor gracious good-byes. In fact, Officernoted:No other shop like this one!As the forlorn group of Mexicansoldiers marched from town, severalAnglo newcomers raised an Americanflag over an adobe store recentlyestablished by Edward Miles. Theact was in violation of an agreementbetween the boundary commissionersOLD-TIME WESTERN GENERAL STOREBOX 4098 • TUBAC, AZ 85646 • 520-398-9525that the stars and stripes wouldnot be displayed until the last ofthe Mexicans had departed. WhenCaptain García heard what washappening, he approached the menand asked them to desist. They notonly refused but drew their arms andmade it clear that they would fight tokeep the flag in the air. García chose tocarry the matter no further.SIXTH ANNUALOn the other hand, Benjamin Sacksgives us a tidbit from the Americanperspective. It comes from the accountof William H. Kirkland, future ownerof La Canoa Ranch in present-dayGreen Valley, Arizona. Sacks relates thefollowing:Many years after the event, he[Kirkland] recalled how he and twoOpen September thru MayThursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday1:00 PM to 4:00 PMOther times by Appointment by calling(520) 398-2020Volunteers always needed!FREE LOCALDELIVERYfor purchases over $25after 6pmHosted by the Tubac Rotary ClubA Celebration of Fine Wine, Savory Cuisineand a Silent AuctionEntertainment: All Bill Band with Mindy RonstadtSaturday April 5th, 2008, 5 - 8 p.m.Held at Tubac Presidio State ParkBurruel Street, Tubac, Arizona 85646Tickets On Sale Now!!TICKETS ARE LIMITEDAdvanced Ticket Sales Only - $35 per personSend checks to: Tubac Rotary - Taste of TubacP.O. Box 4564, Tubac AZ 85646Also available at Wisdom’s Cafe, Kristofer’s, Green Valley Chamber of Commerce, TubacVisitor Center, Yard Woman, Jane’s Attic, Artist’s Daughter, & the Tubac Presidio State ParkFor More Information Call(520) 398-9371, 398-3099, 398-8603Proceeds benefitRio Rico Scholarships& Other Tubac Rotary ProgramsLAST YEAR’S EVENT SOLD OUT.SO BE SURE TO PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS EARLY!