The Territories

When settlers moved into a territory, Congress would appoint a governor. Each territory elects its own legislature, but the federal government retains the right to reorganise territories at will. When the population of a territory reaches 60,000, it may apply to Congress to be granted statehood.

Formerly a Spanish territory and then part of Mexico, in 1866 Arizona Territory was carved out of New Mexico Territory. This largely desert country has been settled by a mix of cattle ranchers, who started coming to the land around what is now Tombstone about twenty years ago, and miners, who began seeking silver in the hills and river valleys five years ago. The town of Tombstone was founded in Cochise County in 1878 and its present prosperity boasts its own newspaper, two saloons, a bank and a jail. Profitable ranches surround the town and an Indian reservation is located to the north. The railroad is due to come to Tombstone on its way to the west coast, which will surely enhance the town’s future prospects.

Arizona’s territory capital was the city of Prescott, but the Republican Governor of the territory, Frank J Cooper, recently took that status away after the Prescott rodeo got out of hand, resulting in its saloons and schoolhouse being burnt to the ground. It is not yet decided which town the governor will grant the status of capital.

Tombstone is governed by its own elected Mayor and Town Council, has its own judge to dispense justice, a local sheriff and deputy to keep the peace in town with a county sheriff acting for the surrounding area.