One Hundred .....Mesa (4 Volume set)

Mesa, Arizona; 1970, 1972, 1975 and 1977): By the Author. Octavo. Three of the four volumes are signed by the author. The scarce 4 volume set with over 1000 pages is certainly the most complete serious study done of early Mesa and its strong Mormon past. Jay Wagoner whose Arizona Territory, 1863-1912 is in itself considered a landmark study says this set should be in the hands of every serious Western study. The author was the son of the first Mormon colonists who settled Lehi (north of downtown Mesa) covers the eight-four Lehi pioners who came from St. George, Utah with instructions from Brigham Young to settle in a place that impressed them. On the day of their arrival, March 6, 1877, they began constructing a four-mile irrigation canal with the help of friendly Pima Indians in time for the summer planting. Since they needed protection against the hostile Apaches, they build an enclosure called "Fort Utah" on the future site of Lehi. The author used old family records-diaries, letters, histories as well as contemporary newspapers and in 1967 began publishing them in the Mesa Tribune. The special added value is the extensive index in each volume as well as the eight maps found in the endpapers of each volume which are detailed and exist nowhere else. Each volume bound in a different color cloth lettered and decorated in gilt. A fine set in fine to near fine unclipped pictoriald dust jackets.