Doris Sturges (1911-2002)
A tribute to Doris Sturges (1911-2002)
From this Mother's Day 2003 onward, a spot on this website will be
dedicated to Doris Sturges, A.O. Kime's mother. Doris had an
extensive background in the newspaper business as a reporter for the Arizona
Republic, Arizona Daily Star, Douglas Dispatch, Arizona Range News and
culminated her career as the Editor for the Payson Roundup in Payson, Arizona
in the late 1960's. An activist all her life, while both Editor and as the
Manager for the Payson Chamber of Commerce, for ten years she promoted the
idea of an Indian reservation for the Tonto Apache Indian tribe, otherwise
destitute and 'illegally' squatting on U.S. Forest Service property near
Payson, Arizona. Dorene Kime, A.O. Kime's sister, recently completed a book called "Ten
Years for the Tonto", largely a collection of newspaper articles and
correspondence concerning Doris's efforts for this Indian reservation. From
those years of pestering Arizona Governors, Congressmen and Senators, Barry
Goldwater included, and ultimately with their help, did Doris finally see a
reservation for these Indians. Note: Dorene did not intend this book
for publication but rather for family only... perhaps one day it will be
published. In Dorene's exceptional style, the following is how she
dedicated "Ten Years for the Tonto"
MOM'S TEN YEARS FOR THE TONTO
TE-GO-SUK
The Place of Yellow Water
Tonto Apache, Payson, Arizona
Acknowledgements
This story is for anyone who wants to
make a difference, who needs to follow their dream, who asks to improve the lot
of their fellow dwellers on this planet we all call home.
Special recognition goes to Doris Sturges for dedication and
bulldog determination. Also, based if nothing else on
the sheer volume of correspondence from Henry J. Keneally, Jr., Chief, Area
Health Education Branch of the Department of Health, Education and Welfare of
the Public Health Service. His comments showed an especial sense of friendship
and devotion to duty.
Belated thanks to now deceased Barry M.
Goldwater, U.S. Senator; to U.S. Congressman Sam Steiger; Assistant Secretary to
the Interior Harrison Loesch; Under Secretary of Agriculture J. Phil Campbell;
Vice President Spiro T. Agnew; Nicholas P. Houser, University of Arizona,
ethnologist and chronicler of the Tonto history; with the helping funds of the
Doris Duke American Indian Oral History Project.
Thanks to the Tonto Apache people for
trusting her motives and especially to Melton Campbell, Chairman, now deceased.
He was my childhood friend and will always be Chief.
Gratitude to the friends who stood by
her during a contentious time. Gratitude also to those unnamed persons who
worked with her for no recognition, who tolerated her obstinate foolishness, or
who simply did not put obstacles in her way. Topping the list would be Kath
(Doris' sister-in-law) Loftfield and Nan Pyle. Their karma will be recorded.
Mom's Ten Years for the Tonto
exemplifies the determination and commitment to a purpose and the strength of
character needed to accomplish a goal. It is a heritage given to her
descendants. It was passed on to her by Richard the Lionhearted and Catherine
Hohenshiel and those who came to America on the good ship Speedwell in the
1600's. Her work on genealogy on her mother's side gives explanation of the
hardy and hopeful nature of later preacher/farmer ancestors who were warriors as
needed.
By no means is this a story about one
woman. Rather it is about the dozens, if not hundreds, of people who together
made a difference. But. it is about tenacity and not giving up on a goal. She
never gave up. Others might, after ten years, have said "Oh, what the heck,
forget it". She never gave up. Not Mom.
Finally, boundless appreciation for the
artistic creativity and endless patience of my daughter, Valerie Ann Brown. Her
computer and skills made this a worthwhile presentation.
Mostly, this is dedicated to her
children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren so they will all know her, or
at least know of one small part of who she was and so they can remember some of
their past and look to the future with pride. She was English-Irish-German and
very-very reserved. She rarely talked to anyone of her hopes, or fears or
ambitions. So often it was only very terse and very tough pragmatism. She wasn't
a typical Grandma.
I remember a few comments about the
faithfulness of Sam Steiger, the loyalty of Kath Loftfield, Nan Pyle and Julia
Randall. It may have been her reason for living after the death of her husband
and son. At any rate, it is a legacy.
Dorene Kime
(picture taken in the 1960s at Woods Canyon Lake on the Mogollon Rim 30 miles
east of Payson, Arizona)
This website and contents are explained in our Introduction
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