Editing Heber-Overgaard, Arizona (section)

===Founding===
[[File:BlackCanyonHeberArizona.jpg|thumb|left|Black Canyon]]
In March 1873, [[Mormon]] [[American pioneer|pioneers]] from [[Utah]] were sent to the [[Little Colorado River]] area under the direction of Horton D. Height. In 1876, a large group of these settlers established four settlements on the Little Colorado River, which they named [[Brigham City, Arizona|Brigham City]], [[Sunset, Arizona|Sunset]], [[Obed, Arizona|Obed]] and Allen's Camp ([[Joseph City, Arizona|Joseph City]]).<ref>{{Citation |last = Peterson |first= Charles S. |year= 1992 |contribution= Arizona, Pioneer Settlements in |contribution-url= http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cdm/ref/collection/EoM/id/5484 |editor-last= Ludlow |editor-first= Daniel H. |editor-link= Daniel H. Ludlow |title= [[Encyclopedia of Mormonism]] |location= New York |publisher= [[Macmillan Publishers (United States)|Macmillan]] |pages= 66–67 |isbn= 0-02-904040-X |oclc = 24502140 }}.</ref> In Allen's Camp, a dam had been built on the Little Colorado River in April, but high waters in July washed it out. By August, many settlers had returned to Utah. Eight married couples and six single men were all that remained in Allen's Camp. By 1882, the Obed settlement had collapsed and both Brigham City and Sunset were near collapse due to several years of drought. At this time, John Bushman, of Allen's Camp, was sent by [[Lot Smith]], then president of the Little Colorado [[Stake (Latter Day Saints)|Stake]], to scout the forests to the south in anticipation of relocation. [[Dry farming]] in the forested mountains was thought to be easier due to higher rain fall, lush grasses, and plentiful timber.<ref name = Hanchett>{{cite book | title = The Crooked Trail to Holbrook | author =  Hanchett, Jr. Leland J.| year = 1993 | publisher = Pine Rim Pub | isbn = 0963778501 }}</ref>

On December 6, 1882, Bushman set out for the forest with five brethren: W.C. Allen; J.H. Richards; J.C. Hansen; H. Tanner; and J.E. Shelley. Upon arrival they began digging wells in search of water. These men were later joined by Hans Nielson, Lehi Heward and John Scarlet. By April 13, 1883, two cabins had been built and grain planted, but only four families remained (Lehi Heward, John Scarlet, Hans Nielson, and James Shelley). John Bushman never settled in the area, but he and his family contributed time and encouragement to the local settlers. The first summer, houses were built, land cleared, and corrals constructed. Crops were planted not only for food, but also to barter for goods that could not be made at home. The growing season was four months long.<ref name = Hanchett />

In 1887, Lehi Heward abandoned the settlement and relocated to [[Pine, Arizona]]. He was urged to do so, because of the [[Pleasant Valley War]]. Buckskin Canyon, where he had settled, was named after the buckskin chaps his wife Elisabeth had made for him. John Scarlet was next to leave in 1888. His wife Lulu had become ill in June 1885. This may have contributed to his subsequent departure. In 1887, he was mentioned to have joined the posses of Joe McKiney's, under-sheriff for C.P. Owens. In 1889, Nathan, Alva, and Samuel Uriah Porter, arrived in Heber from St. Joseph (Joseph City). They grew crops of corn and potatoes between Heber and St. Joseph. The following year brought the Penrod and Sharp families from nearby [[Wilford, Arizona|Wilford]]. Samuel Porter would later describe the Penrods as anti-Mormon, and the Sharps as dishonest. In 1898, Hans Nielson abandoned his estate on the west bank of the Black Canyon where today's [[Arizona State Route 260|SR 260]] enters town. Childless, Hans Nielson had been the first presiding [[Elder (Latter Day Saints)|elder]] for what became the Heber branch of the Joseph City [[Ward (LDS Church)|Ward]]. James Shelley homesteaded land comprising the center of Heber and south down the Black Canyon. Of the original four pioneer families, starting out with four head of cattle, three daughters, and a few worldly possessions, James and Margaret Shelley were the only family to make Heber a long-term commitment.<ref name = Hanchett />