The Thomas Ward is like a small stream in the mountains, that emerges from a tiny spring and trickles on down the hillside to join the creek on its way to the river. No attempt has been made to get all the information, about all the people who live, or have lived, within its boundaries. Neither is the material collected, considered to be the most important or free from errors. This book is just "a cup of water" dipped from the little stream, as it journeys on its way, no attempt is made to dip up all the water or stop its flow. It is hoped, that like the cup of cool water from the tiny stream, this book will refresh the reader, and the stream of time flows on. To those pioneers, both young and old who had the courage to combine all the natural resources which the creator so wisely stored in these mountains, rivers and valleys along with the brawn and brain that He gave man. The Miracle of the Desert came to be.