On the northern road Jim Bridger had, in 1843, established a trading post on Ham's Fork of Black's Fork of Green River, and this now was a welcome stopping-place for many of the emigrants,* while on the southern trail a temporary ferry was established at the mouth of the Gila by Lieut.

Cave J.Coutts, who had arrived in September, 1849, commanding an escort for some boundary surveyors under Lieutenant Whipple.

For a couple of months he rendered great assistance to the stream of weary emigrants, who had reached this point on their long journey to the Golden Country of their dreams.

A flatboat, built on the shore of Lake Michigan, and there fitted with wheels so that it could be used as a waggon on land, was launched on the Gila at the Pima villages and came safely down to the Colorado, bearing its owners.
Coutts is said to have purchased this boat and used it till he left, which was not long after.

The junction now began to be a busy place.