20223. The Arizona Republican, Phoenix, Arizona, February 1st, 1909. Death of William Gilson, A Builder of Arizona (article)

The Arizona Republican Phoenix, Arizona February 1st, 1909 DEATH OF WILLIAM GILSON A BUILDER OF ARIZONA. He Had Been a Resident of the Territory Almost a Half Century. William Gilson, a resident of the territory for forty six years died yesterday morning at eight o’clock at his home on the Tempe road. Mr. Gilson had been in ill health a long time and his death had been expected. Arrangements for the funeral have not yet been announceth Mr. Gilson was a native of Ireland and was seventy—seven years of age. He came to the territory in 1863 and engaged in mining at Walnut Grove with W.H. Kirkland and others. After that he settled on Date Creek. At that time that was an Indian country and Indians were at their worst. Mr. Gilson took his part in the struggle of these settlers against their depredations and their murdero us raids. Mr. Gilson came to the valley in 1880 and bought the old Roberts ranch. He built the St. John’s canal and the Gilson block at the corner of Second and Washington streets, now known as the Dennis block. In fact few men have done so much for the building of Phoenix and the Salt River Valley as Mr. Gilson -

20196. The Arizona Miner, Prescott, Arizona Territory, April 16th, 1875. Camp Date Creek (article)

The Arizona Miner Prescott, Arizona Territory April 16th, 1875 Camp Date Creek: was our next halting place. Not a soldier was to be seen in or about the place; although it is not many years since soldiers were thick as bees here and around about. The adobe houses are fast going to ruin; the “fort” is now garrisoned by Jim O’Neill and a Mexican. Jim has a large flock of sheep in the vicinity, and the Mexican is herding cattle for C.W. Beach. I visited the “bivouac of the dead;” found many graves caved in, and the walls of the cemetery almost level with the ground. The place contains remains of a great many soldiers, many of whom were murdered by Indians. The military authorities would do well to fix up this decaying village of the dead. We spent the night at the home of William Gilson, a brave old pioneer, who with his sister and her bright little girl have a charming home on Date Creek, two or three miles below the post. Mr. Gilson has a large band of American cattle, fine farm, orchard and other good things.