In early 1863, the U.S. Congress passed the Arizona Organic Act, thereby detaching the western half of New Mexico and from it creating the Arizona Territory.

As provided by law, President Abraham Lincoln appointed the new territorial officials. Among them were John N. Goodwin, governor, and the justices of the Arizona high court.

One of the latter was a Connecticut lawyer Joseph Pratt Allyn, named by Lincoln as an Arizona associate justice. He wrote up details of the trip that the party of officials made from Fort Leavenworth across the plains to Santa Fe and on westward to Arizona.

Allyn, being a New Englander, was not impressed with Santa Fe's "undistinguished" adobe architecture. But in a letter published in his hometown newspaper at Hartford, he spoke approvingly of New Mexican women seen at a baile. In his words, they danced discreetly and did not flirt.

At Santa Fe, Lt. Col. José Francisco Chaves of the New Mexico Volunteers assumed the duty of escorting the Eastern dignitaries into Arizona. His second in command was Capt. Rafael Chacón. Both men had fought gallantly in the Civil War battle of Valverde a year earlier.

The march westward by way of Albuquerque and Fort Wingate began with pleasant weather in early December, 1863. The government officials traveled in three army ambulances and were followed by a caravan of 66 baggage and supply wagons.

By the time this slow-moving cavalcade reached Western New Mexico, the weather changed ,and Christmas was drawing near.

West of today's El Morro National Monument, Chaves halted for two days to repair wagons and rest the draft mules. The second day in camp was Christmas Eve.

Despite threatening weather, the men determined to celebrate the hallowed 24th of December as best they could. A wagon was sent out for a load of firewood and evergreens. Just as it returned, snow began.

A bonfire was built in the center of encircled wagons to shelter it from a fierce wind. A huge kettle was placed at the edge of the blaze and soon produced an intoxicating hot toddy.

A wooden box served as a podium for evening speakers. Chacón made an eloquent oration in Spanish, translated by Chaves. Allyn described it as touching and patriotic, since the captain spoke of his love for the American flag and the hopes he had for the nation.

Goodwin wrote in a report that "Capt. Chacón only increased the high estimate I had formed of his abilities." Justice Allyn later added his own praise, saying of the captain and his fellow soldiers: "Their perseverance under the manifold difficulties of traveling in this country is almost as marked as their uniform good temper."

Of Chacón's speech, Allyn judged his sentiments "thrilled the mixed audience that stood in that pelting storm, and three rousing cheers went up. The whole affair closed with a prayer by the chaplain."

Christmas morning dawned clear, but a heavy snow covered the road. The train moved forward slowly and stopped at midday four miles from Zuni Pueblo.

Allyn, Goodwin and several others decided to continue on to the pueblo, since their light ambulance could cut through the snow.

"As we rode up to Zuni," declared Allyn, "the whole population of men, women and children turned out, surrounding us and filling the roof tops."

An elderly Zuni governor greeted them, wearing a threadbare military uniform. He apologized for not offering them a meal, explaining the Indians were observing a fasting period and were not allowed to entertain guests.

Instead, he took them to the quarters of a New Mexican, then staying inside the pueblo. This man received them hospitably and began preparing what simple fare he had available.

The justice remarked that his party had to share the few cups and plates as they sat on the floor, Indian style, and enjoyed their meager Christmas dinner. He noted the cooking was primitive but the host did the best he could under difficult circumstances. Not only that, he produced some cornstalks to feed the visitors' famished horses.

None of the guests complained about the food, however. On the ride back to the wagon train in bitter cold, they must have concluded this Dec. 25 was one they would never forget.

Arizona's government officers and their escort continued the journey on the following day, eventually reaching the new territorial capital at Prescott.

Associated Justice Joseph P. Allyn remained in the Southwest only two years before returning to his native Hartford. He died of tuberculosis and was buried there in 1869.