Wellington Richins, who had been notified of their coming, was there in Maricopa with his wagon to meet them. The wagon journey took one whole day. It was in the early spring, February 3, 1882, when Wellington took them to his home in Mesa located on the corners of Main and Robson Streets where the Peterson Bros. Service Station now stands. Living here for one week, Joseph set out observing the town of Mesa looking to locate a home for him and his family. Joseph found the place he wanted located northwest of Mesa one-half mile, owned by David P. Kimball. Inquiring as of its sale, he found he could purchase one-half of a quarter section (80 acres) for one thousand dollars. He gave six hundred dollars cash he had brought from Utah and signed a note for the remaining four hundred dollars. Here Joseph and Prudence made their home in a two room adobe house with a dirt roof previously constructed by Charles Peterson. Living with them was Grandma Louisa Shill Richins and two children, Rebecca and Marland.

The land purchased was nothing but desert covered with cacti, mesquite trees, chaparral and sage brush. Only five acres of this land was cleared. Days, weeks, and months Joseph spent chopping, digging, dragging and burning getting the land in readiness for the crops to be planted. Water for irrigation was obtained from a ditch which ended at that time on the northeast corner of Joseph’s property. This canal water was also used for drinking and household purposes, dipping it up from the stream and hanging it in ollas (earthen jugs) to cool.

Going upon the Verde River Joseph obtained some small ash trees and a cutting of a sycamore tree which he planted along the front of his property. The sycamore cutting was placed in the north east corner. This tree grew in size, grace and beauty over the many years making a beautiful land mark in front of his home which faces a main traveled highway known as N. Country Club Drive.

Joseph brought along with him from Utah his violin and concertina. He made music for parties, dances and etc. which were held in the adobe house where they lived. A friend, Wiley Jones, who lived in Lehi five miles away, would sponsor dances and socials and always asked Joseph to furnish the music. Wiley allowed him four dollars each time he played to be credited on a wagon Joseph needed. By so doing, Joseph soon had a wagon paid for but no horses. Trading around Joseph was the proud possessor of a horse. But not for long, as one week later the horse laid down and died. There were troubles, heartaches, discouragements, yes, but only to test their ability, strength, and courage that they must fight and work harder to get a start. Joseph borrowed a team of horses from his brother-in-law, Wellington Richins, to plow and till the soil. Grain and alfalfa, with a few fruit trees, grape vines, and a vegetable garden was planted.

A team of horses was a must and much needed on this farm. By working and trading about Joseph managed to get them. He obtained a freighting job and hauled loads of grain, hay, and food supplies to Maricopa, McDowell, East on the Verde River, over the mountain to Pinal, Silver King, and Superior. Supplies were furnished by Charles Trumble Hayden of Tempe.

In 1883 Joseph left his family going to the Mines in Pinal to hunt work. Luck was with him. Mr. Hank Martin gave him a job as a brakes man on the ore teams hauling ore from Silver King Mine to the Mill, a distance of five miles. Joseph worked at this hauling for several months and was then placed at the Mill wheeling ore to the battery with a wheelbarrow. Then a promotion came. Joseph was placed on the concentration tables making three dollars and seventy five cents a day.
While working here in Pinal, Joseph purchased an eight day clock which he took home with him as a surprise to his family. Through all these years this same old clock ticks steadily away day after day striking the hours with a fast, sharp tone. It sits upon the mantle of the present home.

After having lived away from his family for two years while at work, except for a few visits at intervals, Joseph quit his work and went home. Here he worked on the home place for some few months, making ready the land and planting crops. But money was needed badly and Joseph left again in search of work. This time he went to the Alvesia Mine about thirty miles south of Tucson. He did find work, but not for long, as in fifteen days the mill burned down and Joseph was again out of work. Going back to Tucson he applied for work at the railroad station. The foreman asking his age said he was too old, for now he had reached the age of forty.

His wife and children moved with him to Superior, leaving their farm in charge of Boyd Passey (a neighbor boy) and a friend, James T. Lisonbee. In superior Joseph found work at three dollars a day. He also played for dances and parties at night time making ten and fifteen dollars a night. Joseph could have made double money to play on a Sunday or late Saturday night, but no, when the hour of twelve came he ceased his playing and the violin was put in the case. He had been taught and true to his teachings that Sunday was the Lord’s Day.

Prudence and the children were unhappy here in Superior. She and the children had to stay alone while Joseph worked all day and then went to play for dances at night time. They were afraid of the Apache Indians, a more vicious tribe than the Indians in Mesa. She and the children decided to come home. Joseph continued to work making good money and saving these hard earned dollars to meet obligation of the home. He wanted to be with his family, so he came home and relinquished the responsibilities of the farm life from his good wife and children who had so patiently taken care of the farm. Prudence had also been taking in washing to help provide the way.

Selling twenty acres of land to Wellington Richins, and twenty acres to Bishop Charles W. Richins, who gave it to his son, Orson Richins, Joseph received four hundred dollars cash. This money was used to pay off the note to David P. Kimball. To Joseph it seemed as though the weight of the whole world had been lifted from his shoulders. Forty acres remained which was paid for and could be called their very own.

During all these years, Joseph, accompanied by his sister-in-law, Rebecca Richins, made the music for socials, dances and parties here in Mesa and neighboring towns. They furnished the music for numerous wedding dances. A few remembered were the Jed Peterson, Orlando Merrill, Charles Wing, and Ed Brizzee. On one occasion they took Rebecca’s organ on Joseph’s wagon along with the violin, to the home of William Standage. Here they furnished the music for a triple wedding dance, that of Joseph and Jane Standage, Charles and Josephine Pew, and Woodruff and Elizabeth Rogers. The vows were read by President Alexander McDonald on February 26, 1883. It was to this beautiful wedding and dance that Benjamin Blackburn fell in love with Rebecca Richins, whom she married a few years later. Years later Joseph played for the Golden Wedding Dance of Bishop Issac Dana and wife, Fannie