January 2019 8 Gold continued from page 7 “the Mammoth Mines worth millions.” By exhibiting for all to see wealth and growth, Goldfield and the Arizona Republican were moving, in a positive manner, to help fulfill the Territory’s bid for statehood. Toward the end of 1893, a question concerning the town’s true location arose. Was it in Maricopa County or Pinal County? While ever-increasing numbers of people knew how to get to Goldfield, it also became important to know precisely where the town stood in the overall scheme of things. To solve the problem, two surveyors were employed to the task, one man from each of the counties involved. According to the December 28 issue of the Arizona Daily Gazette. It was determined that most of the three miles of Goldfield proper were in Pinal County. The general consensus had been that the town was located in Maricopa County. The significance of it being in Pinal meant that another stage line would be needed to service Goldfield and Florence. This would show continuing efforts to expand communications and transportation, thus, opening up the Territory even more. Goldfield, from 1894, when the social hall and school were added, to November 2, 1898, when the post office was officially disestablished, continued to play well for the Arizona Territory, even though the Mesa Free Press stated that “only about a dozen or two were working the area . . .” However, the same news publication also stated, “the cyanide tanks are in full swing at Goldfield and production is satisfactory” (Nov. 1). It was also reported, “W. R. Orr, of Detroit, has bonded with W. A. Kimball two claims on the Buckhorn Mines” and “Lamb brothers have sold their well and continue developing mines.” As the century turned and the years continued to pass, the National Reclamation Act, more correctly, (Hansbrough)-Newlands Reclamation Act, of 1902, was passed. It was this act that made the construction of Roosevelt Dam possible. This was the second major event to occur securing statehood. Roosevelt became the first multi-purpose dam funded by the United States Government and the largest masonry dam in the world. The site chosen for the dam, at the confluence of the Salt River and Tonto Creek, was selected as far back as 1889 by surveyor W.M. Breckenridge and his committee. It is interesting to note that eight years earlier Breckenridge served as an under-sheriff to John Behan during the Tombstone ruckus when the Earp brothers, Doc Holiday, and the McLaurys and Clantons tangled at the infamous O.K. Corral shootout. Before the dam could be constructed, an access road connecting the dam site and the railroad depot at Mesa needed to be built. Construction of the Mesa-Roosevelt Road began late in 1903 and was completed in February 1904. It was later called the Apache Trail. At the north end of this road, the town of Roosevelt sprang up to accommodate the many workers needed at the dam site. Roosevelt officially established its postal service on January 22, 1905. William A. Thompson was appointed postmaster. Its first location was at the entrance of the Salt River where the dam was to eventually stand. For obvious reasons, it was later moved to higher ground on the south side of Roosevelt Lake. George U. Young, editor of the William News (1884) was another player during the Goldfield boom days. While he did spend some time at the camp, he also involved himself in Phoenix and Territorial politics. He served as Territory Secretary between 1909 and 1910. It was during his tenure as secretary that he became entangled in the Arizona Constitution controversy. On December 10, 1910, while Governor Sloan was in Washington, D. C. lobbying against the new Arizona constitution, Young, serving as interim governor, signed it. He called for its successful ratification on February 9, 1911. This infuriated Governor Sloan, but as Secretary for the Territory, Young was empowered to act in the Governor’s absence. Fortunately, Young’s ploy to push his constitution through channels did not work. President Taft vetoed the constitutional bid on August 11, 1911, demanding that it be rewritten. In 1910, Young purchased the interests of Sullivan and Hall in the Mammoth Mine. His purchase included the Mormon Stope, the Mammoth main shaft, a ten-ton amalgamation mill, and fifty-ton cyanide plant. He called his company Young Mines Company, Ltd. For all intents and purposes, Goldfield was no longer the hub of mining activity. However, because horses and people needed food and lodging on their trek to Roosevelt Dam, life in the gold town continued to prosper. Goldfield was the only rest station between Mesa and the dam construction site. Much was happening during those few years. To summarize: 1902, The Reclamation Act is passed; 1903- 1904, the Mesa Roosevelt Road is under construction; 1904, the town of Roosevelt establishes its post office; 1906-1911, Roosevelt Dam construction is completed; 1910, George U. Young signs the disputed Arizona Constitution which is ratified February 9, 1911; August 11, 1911, President Taft vetoes the constitution; December 12, 1911, voters in Arizona Territory comply with Taft’s wishes and rewrite their constitution; March 8, 1911, Teddy Roosevelt dedicates Roosevelt Dam; February 14, 1912, Arizona becomes the 48th star in the field of blue; 1914, George U. Young is elected Mayor of Phoenix; and then, World War I. Limited activity continued at Goldfield until 1920, when Young returned to reestablish the town. However, that was something he was not destined to do. Wishing to stay away from the stamp mills and all the racket associated therewith, the new community buildings were placed on a hill approximately a half to three-quarters of a mile southwest of the original town-site. Now, while there is some debate whether or not the new location was actually a part of the original Goldfield, there is absolutely no question concerning the name of Young’s new town. There is little doubt that George Young probably had every intention of re-establishing the town and its postal service under the name of Goldfield. With the notoriety of Goldfield and Roosevelt Dam already in place, it would have been to his every advantage to do so. For these reasons, it is also reasonable to believe that adopting his own name for the town had not entered his mind. It was not until he applied to reactivate the old Post Office that he was told that he could not use the name, “Goldfield”. It was then that alternate names were suggested to him by the postal service people. Certainly, he must have been disappointed, but his new town was already committed. It is a fact that post offices have been established, deactivated, and then, reactivated again within jurisdictional authority under the same names for years. However, that means they were reactivated within the limits of the original town or designated limits. It is, therefore, reasonable to believe the new town was not located within the original jurisdiction of Goldfield. This is why he could not re-use the Goldfield name. The town was officially dubbed Youngberg. Its post office was established on March 15, 1920, with Stiny Wilson appointed Postmaster. However, the position was assumed by Rolla W. Walling until its discontinuance on October 30, 1926. On the route to Roosevelt Dam, another community came into existence. Because of the many flat rocks in